Pre-Season So Far - Part I: North East Tour

Blyth Spartans 0-0 Morton

Morton kicked-off their pre-season tour of the north of England with a visit to Blyth Spartans' Croft Park.

Allan Moore included trialists Alan Lithgow (pictured, above) Tony McParland and two unnamed Frenchmen, who turned out to be French-Morrocan striker Tarik Bengelloun and French-Comorian defensive midfielder Foaud Bachirou, in his first proper match as Ton manager.

Bachirou started the match, while Bengelloun appeared as a second half substitute - and both players made impressive contributions.

However, Moore's men still couldn't find a way past the Blue Square North side's defence and the match finished goalless.

Morton (4-4-2):

1. Kevin Cuthbert - 8
2. David MacGregor - 6
3. Kevin McKinlay - 6
4. Marc Smyth - 8
5. Alan Lithgow [trialist] - 7
6. Michael Tidser - 8 (-. Graeme Holmes, 60)
7. Tony McParland [trialist] - 7 (16. Nathan Shepherd, 77)
8. Fouad Bachirou [trialist] - 7 (-. Allan Jenkins, 68)
9. Stewart Kean - 6 (15. Tarik Bengelloun [trialist], 60)
10. Brian Graham - 5 (12. Kevin Kelbie, 46 - 4)
11. Carlo Monti - 7

Unused Subs:

14. Stewart Greacen
17. Neil MacFarlane
20. Colin Stewart

Cuthbert
MacGregor Smyth Lithgow McKinlay
McParland Bachirou Tidser Monti
Graham Kean

Blyth Spartans (4-2-2-2): Grieveson 8; Harrison 6 (Alexander, 60), Swailes 6 (Taylor 60), Williams 7, Cave 7; Hooks 6, Turnbull 6 (Groves 64, 2); Tait 6, Deverdics 5 (Graham 46, 3); Dale 6, Brayson 6 (Ridley 83).

Unused Subs: Wilkinson, Smeil, Cunningham (gk).


My man of the match: Michael Tidser

Greenock Telegraph - Match Report (14.07.2010)

blythspartansafc.co.uk - Photographs

Gateshead 0-1 Morton

Morton followed up their draw with Blyth Spartans with a win over their near neighbours and fierce rivals, Gateshead, at the Gateshead International Stadium.

Allan Jenkins, who was looking a bit fitter and more like the man we remember from his time at Stranraer and Gretna, was the goal hero.

It was one minute before the interval when Kevin Kelbie was fouled in the middle of the park. The referee awarded a free-kick and Jenks caught everyone unaware, including the fans present but especially Gateshead goalkeeper Paul Farman, with a floated free-kick from the halfway line.

Morton were impressive in possession, looking to keep the ball on the ground and attack down the wings, and looked rock solid at the back. New signing Marc Smyth was particularly impressive, and his excellent organisational and leadership skills suggest to me that he's a good bet for captain in the coming season.

In addition to the trialists who appeared in the Blyth game, Allan Moore also had a look at former West Bromwich Albion right-back Jeff Forsyth, who also had a trial with the club under Davie Irons, and Portuguese striker Hardy Pinto-Moreira - the London-based left-footer who was originally billed as Nigerian - but both failed to stand out from a technical perspective. They also looked unfit, although there are mitigating factors in Forsyth's case.

This would also be Tony McParland's last match in a Ton shirt after Moore informed him he wouldn't be taking his interest any further, suggesting that he wanted someone 'more dynamic'.

Former Ton player Brian Wake played in the match and later mentioned that he was impressed with his old side's performance and that he holds the Ton faithful in great esteem, still has lots of great friends at Cappielow and wishes the club all the best this season.


Morton (4-4-2):

1. Colin Stewart - 7
2. Jeff Forsyth [trialist] - 6 (-. Carlo Monti, 79)
3. Kevin McKinlay - 6 (18. Nathan Shepherd, 69)
4. Marc Smyth - 8 (16. David MacGregor, 69)
5. Alan Lithgow [trialist] - 7 (14. Fouad Bachirou [trialist], 66)
6. Graeme Holmes - 7
7. Tony McParland [trialist] - 6 (12. Tarik Bengelloun [trialist], 69)
8. Allan Jenkins - 8
9. Stewart Kean - 6 (15. Hardy Pinto-Moreira [trialist], 56)
10. Kevin Kelbie - 6 (17. Peter Weatherson, 62)
11. David O'Brien - 6

Unused Subs:

14. Ryan Kane
20. Colin Stewart

Stewart
Forsyth Smyth Lithgow McKinlay
McParland Holmes Jenkins O'Brien
Kean Kelbie

Gateshead (4-4-2): Farman 7; Baxter 7, Heywood 6, Clark 7, Heckingbottom 6; Brittain 5 (Marwood, 46), Turnbull 8, Ferell 6 (Francis, 83), Baptist 4 (Nelthorpe, 46 - 5); Allan 6, (D. Dowson 46 - 5) Wake 6 (Fisher, 66).

Unused Subs: Jones, Gillies, M.Dawson (gk).

My man of the match: Marc Smyth

Greenock Telegraph - Match Report (16.07.2010)

gateshead-fc.co.uk - Match Report and Photographs (16.07.2010)