Morton 0 - 1 Dunfermline Athletic

Morton 0 -
Dunfermline Athletic 1 -Glass (15 pen)

Att - 2,560

"we can’t keep having hard luck stories” - a quote from Jim McInally after Saturday's defeat at home to Dunfermline. As has been the case with Morton in a lot of our games recently we seem to dominate and get the better chances but fail to win the game citing bad luck and missed chances. This begins to become a worry when it seems to be repeated after every match and especially when you are failing to take points at home to a team as bad as Dunfermline were on Saturday.

The Pars took the lead when Stephen Glass converted a penalty after Kevin Finlayson scythed down Burchill from behind. A stone waller for me and very similar to the penalty Stewart Greacen gave away at Firhill on Saturday. We need to cut out these rash challenges in the box.

After Dunfermline took the lead Morton dominated without ever actually looking that good even though we were creating chances.

Morton's best chances fell to Peter Weatherson. In the first half he who turned sharply to slide and fire a rocket off the under side of the bar and out to safety then he passed up a sitter in injury time as he drilled a low shot wide when it looked a certainty he would score - cue Morton players crumpling to the ground all over the place. In between he clipped an effort towards the top corner but former Scottish international goalkeeper Paul Gallacher saved well.

There were a series of chances in between these two efforts. Jim McAlister shot straight down Gallacher's throat, Kieran McAnespie floated a right foot shot onto the top of the bar and over while kneeling down (it was the only thing he done, well except for taking corners and free kicks - some good, some woeful). Ryan Harding connected with a couple of corners first heading wide, then over.

It's strange watching Morton at the moment. We seem to have a lot of the ball and create chances without looking any good. I feel bored and frustrated watching the team. We cant seem to put the ball in the net and even though we dominate games on paper (chances created, possession) we aren't attractive to watch. As McInally said, we can't keep on having hard luck stories and saying you can't fault the players for effort.

Our home record is now 9 points out of 27. Our last home win (in the league) was against Partick Thistle on the 6th of October. Alarm bells should be ringing around Cappielow if you ask me, especially as we are now 1point off the play-off place. Roll on January when Ryan McGuffie and another SPL midfielder take their place in the team - despite the recent downward spiral I'm confident we will stay up especially when the new signings come on board.

Morton (4-4-2):

1. McGurn - 7
2. Shields - 5
3. MacGregor - 7
4. Harding - 6
5. Greacen - 7
6. McLaughlin - 5 (12. Templeman - 82 mins)
7. McAnespie - 5 (14. Graham - 71 mins)
8. Finlayson - 5
9. Weatherson - 7
10. Russell - 6 (15. Gardyne - 88 mins)
11. McAlister - 6

Subs Not Used:

16. McKellar
20. Robinson


Dunfermline: Gallacher, Woods, Harris, Scott Thomson, Murphy, Simmons, Ryan, Glass, McGlinchey (Crawford 74), Burchill, Hamilton.
Subs Not Used: Phinn, McIntyre, McManus, Murdoch.

Booked: Glass, Harris, Burchill.


My man of the match: Peter Weatherson

Sponsor's man of the match: David MacGregor

Matchday Programme (Click to enlarge)















BBC Match report: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/7159290.stm

Tele' match report: http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/article.php?sec=2&id=18165

Tele' match reaction: http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/article.php?sec=2&id=18168