20/10/2007

Clyde 0 - 1 Morton

Clyde 0
Morton 1 - Weatherson (15)

Att - 1,231

Saturday's 1-0 win over Clyde saw Morton pick up where they left off before the international break.

In my match preview I predicted a 1-0 win ( and cashed in by doing like the new Ladbrokes adverts says and putting my money were my mouth is) as I expected a tight, hard fought match - and that's exactly how it turned out.

As revealed in Friday's Greenock Telegraph Jim McInally went with the same starting eleven that proved so successful against Partick Thistle and the decision to play Peter Weatherson up front paid off again as he scored the game's only goal.

Weatherson's 15th minute winner came from a Stewart Greacen knock down after a Ryan Harding free kick. The finish was quite similar to his second goal against Thistle as he arched back to hook an excellent volley past Hutton in the Clyde goal.

Clyde have a reputation as a physical team and this is something our team seem to be getting to grips with, none more so than Jamie Stevenson. Jamie wasn't at his creative best out on the left wing but he put in a solid shift. He was committed in every single tackle he went in for, more often than not emerging with the ball. His effort and work rate were 100% - typified by his mammoth effort to track back and cover a Clyde attack and eventually make a crucial interception / tackle in the box. Kieran McAnespie - playing as a makeshift left-back - would have been grateful for Stevenson's efforts.

Another notable performance came from Peter Weatherson, who worked hard up front and was unlucky not to score another goal when he arrived at the back post to connect with a great Kevin Finlayson cross only to see his left foot effort crash back off the post. Interestingly, Jim McInally was quoted as saying Peter is now playing up front because he is 'crap at the back'. It would have been quite helpful - and less worrying - if this had been identified as a problem by the management before now even though the comment was meant to be a bit of a joke.

Ryan Harding was a tower of strength at the back and seemed to concentrate for the full ninety minutes - something that looks to have been aided by David McGurn's return in goal. David was also impressive. He made a couple of important saves, particularly from a Michael McGowan effort in the second half.

My only criticism would be that for long spells we sat pretty deep and invited Clyde on to us rather than try to force the issue at the other end. However this is probably overly critical as it must be expected that a home team will dominate the possession in any game and especially one in which they are a goal down and need to get back into it. A clean sheet, an away win, 4th position in the league and a battling performance at a venue in which we were bullied around about a year previously are all cause for optimism.

Morton (4-4-2):

1. McGurn - 7
2. Weatherson - 8 (17. Graham - 90 mins)
3. McAnespie - 6
4. Harding - 8
5. Greacen - 7
6. Shields - 7
7. Finlayson - 6
8. Stevenson - 8 (12. Millar - 66 mins)
9. Russell - 6 (14. Gardyne - 75 mins)
10. McLaughlin - 7
11. McAlister - 7

Subs Not Used:

15. Walker
16. Templeman

Booked: Finlayson

Clyde: Hutton, McGregor, Bestvina (McKeown 58), Higgins, Wilson, Masterton, David McGowan, Arbuckle (Smith 81), Cardle, Imrie, Michael McGowan (MacLennan 71). Subs Not Used: Valentin, Cherrie.

My man of the match: Jamie Stevenson

Sponsors man of the match:

Matchday Programme (Click to enlarge)
















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