Morton 1 - 2 Livingston

Morton 1 - Wake (31)
Livingston 2 - Davidson (10), Griffiths (12)

Att: 2502

Two goals in the first fifteen minutes ended Morton's unbeaten start to the season.

The first of Livi's quick fire double was scored by 19 year old midfielder Murray Davidson. Leigh Griffiths - who was a thorn in Morton's side all afternoon - collected a Dave Mackay free-kick and laid the ball into Davidson's path who shot home from the edge of the box.

It was two minutes later. A cross appeared to be sailing out at the back post but Allan McManus inexplicably decided to head the ball right into the middle of his own box were a grateful Griffiths was on hand to volley past Kevin Cuthbert. Inexcusable defending by anyone's standards, never mind from your captain and most experienced player.

Brain Wake gave us some hope on the half hour. He took the ball into feet from a thrown in, turned his man before slipping the ball through McPake's legs and curling a stunning effort round Martini and in off the post.

Tony McParland - who was with us on trial in the summer (why didnt we sign him Davie?) - put in an excellent performance on Livingston's right where he terrorised Jim McAlister all afternoon. This was further evidence, if it were needed, that McAlister is wasted as part of a four man midfield playing behind three strikers. He only came into the game after Jon Newby was substituted and this shows that, in a 3-4-3, he should either play as part of the front three or not at all.

Allan Jenkins introduction seemed to spark the team into life and and we proceeded to dominate for the last half an hour or so but the equaliser never came. Wake had a glorious chance to make it 2-2 in the 60th minute. Ryan McGuffie slipped a ball inside and with only the goalie to beat Wake shot straight at him - he really should've scored.

We had a few chances towards the end but didn't deserve to get anything out of the game so there can be no complaints on that front. However, there can be complaints about the performance and the worrying tendency for the defence to miss out the midfield and punt aimless balls forward.

The doubts are well and truly creeping in after this one.

Morton (3-4-3):

1. Cuthbert - 6
2. Shimmin - 7
3. Harding - 6
4. McManus (c) - 5
5. Paartalu - 5
6. Masterton - 5 (14. Jenkins - 77 mins)
7. McGuffie - 6 (15. Weatherson - 83 mins)
8. Russell - 6
9. Wake - 7
10. Newby - 6 (12. Finlayson - 62 mins)
11. McAlister - 6

Subs Not Used:

16. McGeough
20. Stewart
Booked: Masterton

Cuthbert
Shimmin McManus Harding
McGuffie Paartalu Masterton McAlister
Russell Wake Newby

Livingston: Martini, MacKay, Talbot, McPake, Fox, Innes, McPartland, Davidson (Millar 82), Quinn, Griffiths, Hamill.

Subs Not Used: Cave, MacDonald, Smith, Jamieson

Booked: Fox, McPake


My man of the match: Anthony McParland (Livingston)

Sponsor's man of the match: Ryan Harding


Matchday Programme (Click to enlarge)













Greenock Telegraph match report

Greenock Telegraph match reaction

Tontastic Pictures

BBC match report

livingstonfc.co.uk match report