Reds Lose in Sir Matt Tribute Game

Last updated : 07 September 2009 By Editor

From ManUtd.com:

United sent a young side north of the border for the match, which celebrated 100 years since Sir Matt was born in the nearby mining village of Orbiston, near Bellshill, Lanarkshire, on 26 May 1909.

The Reds were invited to take part in the game by North and South Lanarkshire Councils, with all proceeds donated to the newly-launched Sir Matt Busby Scholarship programme. The scheme allows adults and youths in the area to take the first steps in emulating Sir Matt by providing them with free coaching education.

There were 3,470 fans at Fir Park to see the match, with Englishman Giles Coke getting the winning goal for Motherwell in an entertaining game. Fittingly, before kick-off there was an enthusiastically observed minute's applause for Sir Matt.

Motherwell boss Jim Gannon admitted the reasons behind the match were more important than the result itself. "It was an enjoyable game aimed at commemorating a great coach who had an emphasis on young players," he said. "It gave my young players the chance to face a side that will be the future of Manchester United."

Solskjaer added: "It was a great exercise for two teams with some good young players."

United: Amos; Fabio, Chester, Gill, Dudgeon (Wootton 45); Eikrem, Norwood, Hewson, Ajose (Morrison 67); Brandy (Tunnicliffe 53), King.