Motherwell Reserves 4-0 Gretna Reserves

Following the postponement of the scheduled game against Celtic, Motherwell kindly agreed to bring this February fixture forward.

But they weren’t so considerate on the pitch as two goals in each half condemned Gretna to a crushing defeat.

Motherwell made a dominant start and loan striker Lewis Grabban produced a fantastic block from Tony Caig after the Crystal Palace man looked favourite to score.

Caig was kept busy in the opening stages and he did well to hold a powerful Danny Murphy free-kick from the edge of the box. He then tipped a Darren Smith effort round the post as Motherwell continued to create good chances.

But he was helpless to stop Simon Mensing opening the scoring after 36 minutes. Nicholas Faulds only partially cleared a Mark Archdeacon cross and the ball fell kindly for Mensing who drilled into the bottom corner.

The home side doubled their lead a minute before half-time when Kenny Connolly delivered an inviting cross from the right hand-side that Lewis Grabban finished from close range.

And Gretna were lucky not to concede a third before the break as moments later Darren Smith sliced his shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Motherwell resumed control in the second-half and captain Phil O’Donnell added a third on 54 minutes. A high corner was cleared to Davie Graham who appeared to handle the ball on the edge of the box but before the referee could blow his whistle, O’Donnell volleyed the ball into the back of the net.

Despite being three goals down, Andy Smith’s side continued to plug away and they were unlucky not to get something for their efforts. They twice came close from set-pieces and often got behind the Well’ defence but were let down by the final ball.

And they were punished for not taking their chances as Marc Fitzpatrick made it 4-0 midway through the half. The midfielder collected William Kinniburgh pass 20 yards from goal and curled the ball into the far corner past a helpless Tony Caig.

Lewis Grabban almost made it five from the restart as Gretna gave away possession. He broke through the defence and lifted a shot over the advancing Tony Caig but Gretna breathed a sigh of relief as the ball narrowly missed the target.

Kenny Connolly and substitute Robert McHugh also went close in the dying minutes as Gretna were pleased to hear the full-time whistle.

GRETNA: Caig, McGuffie, Tait, McGill, Faulds, Paartalu (Campagna 46), McLaren, Deverdics, McMenamin, Grady (O’Hara 55), Graham. Sub not used: Poulson.