09/11/2010

Morton 2-1 Dunfermline Athletic

Morton 2 - Graham (24), Monti (36 pen)
Dunfermline Athletic 1 - Gibson (83)

After receiving a midweek boost when Dundee were deducted 25 points, Morton rounded off the week with an excellent win over second placed Dunfermline Athletic.

Brian Graham netted an opportunistic opener and Carlo Monti added a second from the penalty spot to push Allan Moore's side further up the table after the three points moved them ahead of Partick Thistle and Stirling Albion.

There were impressive performances from every single Morton player, including the much-maligned Jonathan Toto - who came on to a game after a slow start. The defence were particularly strong and Marc Smyth and Stuart McCaffrey marked the league's outstanding striker, Andy Kirk, out of the game, while left-back Kevin McKinlay nullified the threat of right-winger Willie Gibson.

Like Kirk, Gibson is one of the Scottish First Division's stand-out players, and although McKinlay could do nothing to stop the former Kilmarnock man's 83rd minute free-kick, the Ton left-back coped with everything Gibson had to throw at him and is proving to be a really influential player for the Cappielow men this season.

Despite the Pars' late goal, Morton held on for a very impressive win. I believe that this is the 'real' Morton we witnessed on Saturday and have faith that Allan Moore will continue to guide his team up the table.

You can read my full Greenock Telegraph match report here: Back On Track

And match reaction from Ton goalscorer Brian Graham and manager Allan Moore here:


Morton (4-4-2):

1. Colin Stewart - 7
2. David MacGregor - 7
3. Kevin McKinlay - 8
4. Marc Smyth - 9
5. Stuart McCaffrey (c) - 7
6. Michael Tidser - 7
7. Allan Jenkins - 7 (14. Graeme Homes, 88 - 1)
8. Darren Young [trialist] - 7 (15. Graeme Holmes, 75 - 1)
9. Brian Graham - 8
10. Jonathan Toto - 7 (12. Peter Weatherson, 70 - 2)
11. Carlo Monti - 8 (16. David O'Brien, 88 - 2)

Subs not used:

15. Grant Evans
20. Kevin Cuthbert

Booked: Tidser (73), Young (75).


Stewart
MacGregor Smyth McCaffrey McKinlay
Jenkins Young Tidser Monti
Graham Toto


Dunfermline Athletic (4-4-2): Smith - 7; Woods - 6, Dowie - 5, Higgins - 7, McCann - 6; Gibson - 7, Mason - 6, Bell - 4 (Thomson, 18 - 6), Graham - 6, (Cardle, 58 - 5); Clarke - 5, (McDougall, 58 - 3), Kirk - 5.

Subs not used:
Keddie, Allison (gk).

Referee:
Mat Northcroft

Attendance:
1,813

My man of the match:
Marc Smyth

Sponsor's man of the match:
Allan Jenkins

View from the other side:

dafc.co.uk - match report

dafc.co.uk - photographs

Tontastic - photographs

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