The first half was almost completely dominated by Thistle. With Paul Walker proving exceptionally difficult to deal with, Thistle created a series of chances early on. A great save from Ewings after Walker left Sengewald floundering, kept the score level. Another handy stop was made by the young keeper from the resultant corner. However the deadlock was finally broken when Walker got on the end of a threaded pass and finished beautifully by dinking the ball over Ewings in to the far corner.
A few half chances were all Motherwell managed to create, a goal bound looking header from Russell cleared by a Thistle defender the best of them. Thistle made it two-nil with a goal inspired by former Steelman Jamie Dolan He strode almost unchallenged from his own half to the edge of the Motherwell box and after a one-two set up Waddell for a simple finish. A decent long-range effort from Kinniburgh was the only other moment of note, his effort just over.
The second half in contrast was almost all Motherwell. With the first attack of the half Steven Ferguson finished well from a fairly tight angle to give Motherwell a chance of rescuing a point. A shot from Clark was headed of the line and Motherwell generally looked more dangerous going forward. Then a shot on the turn, which slipped narrowly wide after Budinauckas had fumbled and a diving header, went over the bar after the keeper parried a good free kick effort. That was as close as we came to levelling.
Thistle grabbed a late third as we chased the game and ‘Well’s fate was sealed. The game was played in the customary torrential rain that seems to be turned on at all recent U21 matches.
Team: Ewings, Dempsie, Crawley, Kinniburgh, Sengewald, Fagan, Russell, Barkey, Jack, Ferguson, Clark
Subs Neville, Murphy, Scott, Higgins, Grant
Scott for Russell 75ish minutes
Motherwell 1 Thistle 3