MATCH REPORT | A PROMOTION PARTY AT TANNADICE
4th May 2024
In near perfect conditions at Creamery Park, Bathgate, the Tannadice and Fir Park youngsters served up a four-goal thriller in which chances abounded at either end.
And a point apiece was just about right with Motherwell starting the first quarter well and finishing the last strongly.
But in between, the visitors were the dominant force.
Motherwell's impressive opening brought them a goal after only six minutes.
A lovely chipped ball over the defence put Steven Lawless in on goal and the striker kept his cool to prod past the keeper.
On 20 minutes, Dale Hilson scored a goal, indicating just why he was this week named The Clydesdale Bank U19s Player of the Year.
Thirty-yards out wide, he slammed a spectacular half-volley high into the top corner to draw the visitor's level.
Seven minutes later, he had a great chance to give United the lead, but shot straight at Thomson.
As the action switched to the other end, it was Lawless' turn to almost score a second. He cut in from the left, but his low drive came back off the post.
Five minutes from half time, Hilson had an even better chance to double his tally, but crashed a penalty kick off the underside of the bar.
If that was a let off for the hosts, they enjoyed another one a minute later when Stuart Armstrong, unmarked, blazed over from six-yards.
However, he atoned five minutes after the re-start, tucking the ball under the keeper to finish off a breakaway involving Ryan Dow and Hilson.
With 14 minutes left, Mark Smith set up Lawless who drilled home his second.
Two minutes later, Jamie Pollock smashed a shot against the inside of the post from distance as Motherwell threatened to nick an undeserved winner.
United: McCallum, Irvine, Mosson, Hill, Shaw, Stokes (Murray 59), Allan, Lee, Hilson (Thomson 89), Armstrong, Dow. Subs not used: W Robertson, L Swanson)
And a point apiece was just about right with Motherwell starting the first quarter well and finishing the last strongly.
But in between, the visitors were the dominant force.
Motherwell's impressive opening brought them a goal after only six minutes.
A lovely chipped ball over the defence put Steven Lawless in on goal and the striker kept his cool to prod past the keeper.
On 20 minutes, Dale Hilson scored a goal, indicating just why he was this week named The Clydesdale Bank U19s Player of the Year.
Thirty-yards out wide, he slammed a spectacular half-volley high into the top corner to draw the visitor's level.
Seven minutes later, he had a great chance to give United the lead, but shot straight at Thomson.
As the action switched to the other end, it was Lawless' turn to almost score a second. He cut in from the left, but his low drive came back off the post.
Five minutes from half time, Hilson had an even better chance to double his tally, but crashed a penalty kick off the underside of the bar.
If that was a let off for the hosts, they enjoyed another one a minute later when Stuart Armstrong, unmarked, blazed over from six-yards.
However, he atoned five minutes after the re-start, tucking the ball under the keeper to finish off a breakaway involving Ryan Dow and Hilson.
With 14 minutes left, Mark Smith set up Lawless who drilled home his second.
Two minutes later, Jamie Pollock smashed a shot against the inside of the post from distance as Motherwell threatened to nick an undeserved winner.
United: McCallum, Irvine, Mosson, Hill, Shaw, Stokes (Murray 59), Allan, Lee, Hilson (Thomson 89), Armstrong, Dow. Subs not used: W Robertson, L Swanson)
