By grabar
July 30 2009

Motherwell's youngsters european run hit the buffers in Bucharest when they were humbled 3-0 by former European Cup Winners Steau.

There was little to choose between the sides in the opening stages until the 30th minute when Stephen Criagan was unlucky to deflect a corner past John Ruddy. The keeper was a hero only a minute later when Ross Forbes gave away a penalty, the keeper saed Goian's effort.

Just as it looked as though Well would be only one down at the break they were torn apart by a flowing move by the home side that ended with Nicolita sliding the ball under Ruddy.

The tie was put beyond us on the hour mark when Stancu rose unmarked to head past Ruddy.

We could've pulled one back when Sutton brought out a great save from the keeper but the other debutant in the line up, Giles Coke, could only scoop the rebound over.

Things could've been worse as Ruddy was forced to pull off a couple more decent saves.

The tie is probably beyond Motherwell now but there is no doubt the experience tonight will not have done the youngsters any harm and will have prepared them well for the SPL season coming up.

Ruddy looks a decent acquisition in goals and it looks as though the other new guys, Jennings, Coke and Humphrey could all bring something to the SPL.