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Maurice Ross says he watched his reserves side with a smile on his face, after seeing hard work in training come to life in the 2-0 win over Queen of the South.

A second straight win in the Reserve League saw a youthful team emerge victorious, thanks for second half goals from Cole Starrs and Liam Donnelly.

James Scott was the creator on the hour mark, holding off his marker and sliding in Starrs to slot home from eight yards.

Adam Livingstone’s free kick from the left then found Donnelly at the back post, with the defender doing well to keep his header from a bouncing ball under the bar.

Motherwell dominated large spells of the first half, having a host of chances, with Scott in particular being denied on three occasions by the Queens ‘keeper.

“We struggled a wee bit with the final ball because we weren’t getting enough penetration from our good play in the first half,” he said.

“We re-emphasised it for the second half and it ended up that I’m sitting at the side of the pitch smiling.

“Anyone who saw us against Hamilton and then this game, they will see there is good football being played.

“It is controlled football. That for me, as a coach, is great to see.”

The first few weeks of Ross’ time at Fir Park has been working on getting his young charges to play without fear.

“I just want them to play, but to act on instinct based on what we’ve done in training through what we can control,” he added.

“What if you’ve not got that day where you are on fire? Your thought process should correct you.

“It’s about keeping a level of consistency in that you need to be aware of what you are doing instinctively.”

Defender Barry Maguire featured for Queen of the South as they crashed out the William Hill Scottish Cup, losing 4-1 to Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

The Doonhamers pushed their Premiership opponents hard and were level at just after the hour, Stephen Dobbie’s thunderbolt having cancelled out Niall McGinn’s opener. However, an Andy Considine header and a double from Sam Cosgrove booked Derek McInnes’ side a spot in the quarter-final.

Broque Watson made his debut for East Fife as an 82nd minute substitute in their cup defeat at home to Partick Thistle. On-loan St Johnstone defender Steven Anderson had the Jags ahead, but despite creating a couple of promising openings, the Methil side bowed out the competition. Shea Gordon wasn’t involved for the visitors but is getting close to making his return from a lengthy injury.

Aaron Taylor-Sinclair will have to wait for his Crewe debut as he was named amongst the subs for the Railwaymen’s 3-3 draw away to Maccelsfield in English League Two. The visitors thought they had won it with a goal in the 95th minute, but incredibly, there was still time for Town to square the match in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

George Newell and Peter Morrison were both starters for Albion Rovers in their 3-0 home defeat to Elgin. City defender Darryl McHardy scored a hat-trick, as the Wee Rovers remain rooted to the bottom of the League Two table.

Neil McLaughlin was an unused sub as Stirling Albion kept pace with Annan in the chase for a play-off spot with an important 2-1 away win at Berwick Rangers. Former ‘Well youngster Dylan Mackin was on the scoresheet for the Binos, who sit just four behind the Borderers with 14 games remaining.

Motherwell’s reserve side return to action on Tuesday, 12 February, as they take on St Johnstone in the SPFL Reserve League.

Kick off at the Penny Cars Stadium in Airdrie is at 2pm.

Midfielders Stuart McKinstry and Reece McAlear netted for Scotland under 17s in a 2-1 international friendly win over Hungary in Murcia.

The young duo had to be content with a place amongst the substitutes for Saturday’s 0-0 draw with France at the Pinatar Arena.

But head coach Brian McLaughlin named both in the starting team on Friday afternoon and he was repaid, as both ‘Well academy graduates got on the scoresheet to secure the comeback win.

Academy director Steven Hammell said: “Reece and Stuart signed professional contracts with Motherwell during the summer and more than merit their place in the under 17s squad, highlighted by their contribution to Scotland’s win.

“We have more players who could and will stake a claim to be amongst future squads, the challenge for them is to continue to work hard and impress at ‘Well.

“With international recognition at every age group this year and with numerous graduates making such a big impact on our first team, Motherwell’s academy is very much an attractive option for aspiring young footballers looking for the best pathway.”

George Newell netted just 20 minutes into his Albion Rovers debut on Saturday.

In a game where teammate Peter Morrison was also named amongst the starters for the match away to Edinburgh City, the striker was on hand to head his team into a 22nd minute lead.

Allan Smith quickly drew the home side level from six yards with a header of his own. Jack Breen fired City into the lead before half time and Blair Henderson made the points safe in the second half.

Aaron Taylor-Sinclair will have to wait for his debut for Crewe Alexandra as the Railwaymen’s match away to Carlisle was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

A similar fate also befell Neil McLaughlin as Stirling Albion’s home match against Clyde fell victim to the freezing temperatures.

Broque Watson’s East Fife were in Dublin for the quarter-final of the IRN-BRU Cup, but the game was postponed just seven minutes before kick-off.

The former Celtic man wouldn’t have been able to take any part, cup tied from Motherwell Colts’ involvement in the competition.

Barry Maguire made his fifth appearance for Queen of the South as Gary Naysmith’s men crashed to a 3-0 defeat at the Falkirk Stadium. Queens had dispatched Premiership side Dundee in the Scottish Cup during the week, but were well beaten the 10-men Bairns, who had goalscorer Davis Kellor-Dunn sent off 18 minutes from time.

Shea Gordon remains sidelined and unavailable for Partick Thistle, albeit Gary Caldwell’s side won their third match in a row, edging out Inverness 1-2 at the Caledonian Stadium. The Northern Irishman is getting close to fitness though and is hopeful to be back in training in a few weeks time.

Broque Watson and George Newell have both gone out on loan until the end of the 2018/19 season.

19-year-old winger Watson, a summer arrival from Celtic who impressed for the young Steelmen during the IRN-BRU Cup campaign, has joined League One side East Fife.

Darren Young’s men are currently third in the table, one point behind Raith Rovers, as they look to secure a play-off spot for the right to earn a place in the Scottish Championship.

George Newell, 22, has joined Peter Morrison at Albion Rovers.

Newell was a product of the Everton youth academy and made his senior debut for Bolton in the English Championship, before moving to Motherwell in the summer of 2017.

After a promising debut against Rangers at Fir Park, his 18 months in Scotland have been plagued by injuries. Now fit, he joins Kevin Harper’s team as they look to try and overtake Berwick Rangers and move away from danger.

Both remain eligible to play for Maurice Ross’ reserves between now and the end of the campaign.

Motherwell’s reserve side got 2019, and Maurice Ross’ tenure, off to a winning start with a comeback derby win at Hamilton Academical.

Goals from Gaël Bigirimana, James Scott and Stuart McKinstry were the difference, as the second string recovered from Alex Penny’s early opening goal.

An experienced side saw Ross McCormack start, and he was joined by fellow first team squad members Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, Liam Donnelly, Christian Mbulu, Rohan Ferguson and Bigirimana in starting the match at New Douglas Park.

Adam Livingstone, George Newell, Jamie Semple, Dean Cornelius and Scott made up the remainder of the side.

Within four minutes, the hosts were ahead. Alex Penny found himself with a free header in the box, nodding past Ferguson to open an early advantage.

Twenty minutes later, the Steelmen were level. Bigirimana found room to get the ball into the area, and his cross-cum-shot ended up finding its way into the back of the net.

Ross’ side pushed on, and the next goal would come with 10 minutes left in the first half. Picking up the ball deep, Scott drove forward and then curled the ball into the top corner of the net.

The experience in the ranks told further as the game wore on, especially in the third goal.

McCormack, getting minutes under his belt as he builds to full fitness, rolled a quick free kick to substitute McKinstry and, with the opposition caught napping, the youngster fired home to guarantee the three points.

The reserves return to action on Monday as they travel to face Hamilton Academical.

The match at New Douglas Park kicks off at 2pm. Entry is by donation on the door.

Maurice Ross takes charge of the young Steelmen for the first time, having been appointed head of 18s to 21s at the club last week.

Maurice Ross has been appointed as the new head of 18s to 21s at Motherwell Football Club.

The former ‘Well player has been appointed after a thorough search and interview process, during which he was identified as the outstanding candidate to help shape the emerging talents at the club.

Ross has had a well-travelled career to date, with spells as a player in England, Norway, Turkey, China and Scotland, including a six-month spell at Fir Park.

More recently, he has worked over a five-year spell as head coach at various clubs in Scandinavia, leading Norwegian side Sola FK to back-to-back promotions and winning the Faroese Super Cup with Víkingur Gøta.

“I am excited to get started,” said the 37-year-old. “Fundamentally I am going to be looking after the current Reserves side, monitoring the Under 18s and assisting with the first team.

“It is about education. At every opportunity, we have to be educating our youngsters. The ultimate aim is to get players into the first team for Motherwell.

“My immediate job is to get to know the players here, identify their traits and how I can help them progress.”

Ross replaces Stephen Craigan, who stepped down at the end of last year.

“We are delighted to have brought Maurice on board,” Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson said.

“He is a person who brings a fresh perspective to things and will prove invaluable both in helping our young players develop.

“He was very impressive on the training pitch. He has energy, showed great detail in his session and will bring fresh ideas to the club. I am looking forward to working with him.”

Chief executive Alan Burrows added: “We are very pleased to have appointed Maurice in this newly created role. We are at the final stages of reviewing our pathway at that level, but Maurice will play a key part in player development at what is clearly a critical age in a young player’s career.

“As well as his duties with the first team and the reserves, an important aspect of the role is working with Steven Hammell to provide continuity between the later stages of our Club Academy Scotland setup at Braidhurst and our professional teams.

“His remit from the board is clear and that is to develop our talented players to a point when they are primed for first team football. With his skill set, drive and determination, we believe we have the best man for the job.”

Stephen McManus has left Motherwell to become the new Under 18s coach at Celtic.

The former defender departs after a five-and-a-half year spell with the club, which saw him serve both as a player and youth coach.

“While it is unfortunate and coincidental timing to lose both Stephen McManus and Stephen Craigan in quick succession, our ongoing review of our player progression pathway at the club is continuing,” chief executive Alan Burrows said.

“Steven Hammell and David Clarkson are assisting with the squads in the interim, giving us the opportunity to conclude a thorough interview process for both vacant roles.

“It is due to the nature of our success at this club that our players and staff occasionally depart, having been sought out by other clubs. That is testament to the work we put in and the opportunities provided to the likes of Stephen over the years.

“We hope to appoint replacements for both positions in the very near future. Steven Hammell and David Clarkson’s involvement ensures continuity in our day-to-day work in the meantime.”

Speaking of his departure, McManus said: “It was a difficult decision to leave Motherwell after five great years.

“From day one back in 2013, it has been an honour to work and represent the club. The opportunity given to me to move into coaching, after deciding to retire from playing, is one I will forever be grateful for.

“I’d also like to thank everyone at the club for their support and understanding over my decision to leave, for their help and guidance over the years, and wish all the very best for the future.”

We would like to thank Stephen for his time at his club and his professionalism throughout, as well as wishing him well in his new role and the very best for the future.