After a chippy 90 minutes, Ross County prevail 1-0 victors towards Motherwell at Fir Park within the third spherical of the Scottish FA Youth Cup. 

Either side are recent off massive wins within the second spherical of the match the place Motherwell beat Edinburgh Metropolis 7-0 and Ross County received 8-0 towards northern rivals Lossiemouth.

Chatting with the Motherwell social media crew a couple of days earlier than as we speak, captain Mikey Sales space sat down and mentioned that the crew had been, “trying ahead to taking part in Ross County” and that they knew it was going to be a troublesome sport, and the primary half was an excellent affair. 

The Steelmen kicked the sport off and began nicely as they’d a number of strong possibilities to take an early lead, together with the primary likelihood of the match as Zander MacAllister despatched a volley over the bar. 

Moments later Ross County had their first likelihood of the sport. Striker Calum Brown tried to position a shot within the backside right-hand nook however it was pushed out by Motherwell goalkeeper Jack McConnell. 

The subsequent portion of the primary half noticed loads of Motherwell dominating the ball and having loads of possibilities with some smooth passing play being performed to create nicely. 

Even with Motherwell taking part in the higher soccer for almost all of the primary half, their defence was nonetheless put to the take a look at as Ross County arrange nicely with an excellent excessive press, continuously pressuring the Motherwell defence and getting alternatives at aim. 

Mikey Sales space got here agonisingly near opening the scoring with a well-struck free-kick from 25 yards out hitting the put up, moments earlier than there was an excellent nearer likelihood to attain as there was a well-cleared ball off the road by Ross County’s Oliver Lamont. 

Going into the break at 0-0, Ross County needed to make adjustments tactically to get their foot up on Motherwell, altering the tactic to 2 strikers and three gamers within the center to overwhelm the Motherwell midfield and defence while bringing on some substitutions. 

This alteration proved to be key as eight minutes into the second half, Ross County got a penalty. Up stepped Torran Lambie who went backside left together with his penalty effort and scored previous the goalkeeper. 

The second half was a chippy sport, each groups appeared extra fired up however didn’t get many clear-cut possibilities, there have been extra fouls and the gamers appeared to struggle extra. 

Motherwell nearly equalised instantly after conceding with three robust possibilities failing to succeed in the goal back-to-back-to-back.

To shut out the sport, Ross County arrange stronger and stood robust to shut out the victory. 

Talking after the sport, Ross County coach Gordon Duff mentioned that, based mostly on their efficiency in a earlier sport towards Greenock Morton the place they conceded late on: “The boys defensively and in transitions had been glorious.” That summed up the sport for the Staggies, dominating on the again to thwart some robust possibilities from Motherwell. 

Congratulations to Ross County on transferring on to the subsequent spherical of the Scottish FA Youth Cup.

Motherwell Participant of the Match: Mikey Sales space

The captain was Motherwell’s participant of the match, an excellent efficiency noticed possibilities created for him and his facet to attempt to get one thing out the sport. 

Ross County Participant of the Match: Jamie Williamson

Jamie Williamson was robust in midfield for the Staggies, staying robust and resilient all through the 90 minutes to face out in an total strong crew efficiency.  

Motherwell Magic Second

When Motherwell got here very near opening the scoring with Mikey Sales space’s free kick within the first half, there was a way {that a} aim could be coming from the sport, however in the end this opportunity was the perfect they might get – a well-struck effort from 25 yards out. 

Ross County Magic Second

The penalty aim from Torran Lambie was Ross County’s magic second, breaking the seal towards a powerful Motherwell youth setup proved to be the distinction on this sport.