news-engine

Motherwell exit the League Cup losing to an extra-time goal at Stenhousemuir.  The better team won. It was a depressing afternoon for the travelling fans, a fair number of them will be off to Germany next week.  There was nothing to cheer and only Matty Connelly earned pass marks.  A big injury list and a squad needing recovery time all contributed but the manager has now endured a first painful loss. Alfred Johansson made full use of his squad as he made eight changes to the line-up that faced HJK Helsinki on Thursday.  New signing Joe Hodge was pitched in and there was a strong bench available if needed. The home side dominated the first half as Motherwell’s experimental eleven struggled to get a hold of the game.  Connelly was kept busy and coped well as he rose high to clutch a succession of corner kicks.  His distribution included far more long balls than has been Motherwell’s custom and all too soon it was returned under the control of the hosts. Each side had a shot on target.  Michael Anderson had the first before Olly Whyte saw his 23 yard effort saved.  Tawanda Maswanhise had a couple of good moments and Ibrahim Said tried a long range shot that landed in the packed away end. The usual ‘Well fluency was missing and it was no surprise to see half-time substitutions.  The pattern of the game hardly changed.  Stenhousemuir continued to have the better attacking spells and Connelly had to make a few good stops. There was one recognisable Motherwell move involving Alex Lowry, Emmanuel Longelo and Maswanhise but it came to nought. The game moved to extra-time and a couple of chances at either end. Lewis O’Donnell rattled the post with Connelly beaten while at the other end a Longelo cut back for Lowry produced a high flyer. The winner came late in the second period.  A hopeful cross into the ‘Well box was headed deeper into the danger are by Lukas Fadinger.  It fell for Euan O’Reilly and the game was over. It was a poor afternoon from Motherwell even allowing for the weakened selection.  Johansson’s gamble failed and a hugely improved showing against Frieburg on Thursday will be needed to avoid a heavy loss. Stenhousemuir 1 Motherwell 0 (aet)                                                Attendance: Team: Connelly, Ross, Knight-Lebel, Girwood-Reich (Moorman 84), Wilson (Lowry 46), Hodge (Fadinger 63), Whyte, Booth, Vogt, Said (Longelo 46), Maswanhise (Charles-Cook 62) Sunday 16 August 2026