SFA Investigation Into Craig Thomson Blunder Continues

Morton fan Ernie Newall (aka Mortonjag) has posted on http://www.greenockmorton.org/ to say that he has received a reply (pictured) to the recorded delivery letter he sent to SFA chief executive Gordon Smith.

The unsatisfactory response comes from the SFA's head of disciplinary and referee department Drew Herbertson. Herbertson says:

This matter is currently being investigated by the SFA and, as such, it would be inappropriate to offer comment at this stage beyond saying the process which was gone through by the referee to disallow the goal is the focus of attention. From information available to the SFA, the correct decision was reached to disallow the goal but it needs to be established exactly what happened during the period after it was "scored".

I wonder how long this 'investigation' will go on and whether the 'information available to the SFA' will ever be made available to the public or even to officials at Cappielow.

To see Mortonjag's post and a full size copy of the SFA's letter click here: http://www.greenockmorton.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=17435

Shearer Looks To Chisholm And Coyle For Advice

In today's Greenock Telegraph Buckie Thistle manager Duncan Shearer (pictured) tells Chris Fitzgerald that he will be contacting some of Morton's 1st division rivals for the lowdown on Jim McInally's men before Saturday's Scottish Cup tie. St. Johnstone manager Owen Coyle and Queen Of The South manager Gordon Chisholm are the men Shearer hopes can help him cause a cup shock.

Read the article here: http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/article.php?sec=2&id=17126

Morton 2 - 4 St. Johnstone

Morton warmed up for Saturday's Scottish Cup tie against Buckie Thistle with a closed doors game against St. Johnstone. The match, played yesterday, finished 4-2 to St Johnstone.

The information appeared in a news item on the St. Johnstone website dated 19th of November. The item lists Peter MacDonald, Dyron Daal and Stevie Milne as the Saints goalscorers. A post (#15) by Thornton on http://www.greenockmorton.org/ suggests that Chris Millar and Iain Russell (penalty) scored for Morton.

See 1st and 2nd paragraphs: http://www.stjohnstonefc.co.uk/newsitem.asp?NewsID=2289

Posts #2 and #15 especially: http://www.greenockmorton.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=17464&pid=357869&st=0&#entry357869

Buckie Thistle

In the papers at the weekend Jim McInally revealed that he wouldn't be going to the Scotland game but would be watching Buckie Thistle instead. Encouraging to see a Morton manager getting his priorities right.

On a related note my wee brother Brett watched Nairn County v Buckie Thistle last week. Buckie won 1-0 with a last minute winner scored by Tony Low. He said they didn't play that well and that Morton should have no trouble beating them. He also said that Buckie's three key players are Craig McMillan, Tony Low and David MacRae (who McInally would have seen score in their 1-1 with Keith at the weekend).

McInally Predicts 1-1 Draw

In today's Greenock Telegraph Roger Graham talks to Jim McInally about Scotland's chances against Italy tomorrow. McInally predicts a 1-1 draw saying: "I think it might be a 1-1 draw, but I truly hope I’m wrong. The longer it stays level the more Scotland have a chance of nicking something. But people should remember that, whatever happens, Scotland have done brilliantly."

The Morton manager also says that he would go with the 4-5-1 formation and that he would play James McFadden, not Kenny Miller, as the lone striker.

McInally gained 10 Scotland caps during his playing career. The last of which came in Scotland's 5-0 loss to Portugal in April 1993.

Read the article here: http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/article.php?sec=2&id=17084

East Fife 1 - 2 Morton

East Fife 1 - Linn (5)
Morton 2 - Loughran (21), Gardyne (79)

Earlier tonight Bryan Purdue posted a message on http://www.greenockmorton.org/ revealing that Morton beat East Fife 2-1 in a friendly at New Bayview (on Thursday night). Bobby Linn - currently on loan at East Fife - scored against us. Gary Loughran and Michael Gardyne scored our goals.

In a strange move East Fife made this game open to the public. Admission prices were £4 adults , £2 children - maybe it wasn't such a strange move considering those prices.

Bryan also posted the line ups which were:

Morton: Trialist, Black, Shields, Walker, Keenan, McLaughlin, Loughran, Stevenson, Templeman, McAnespie, Gardyne

East Fife: Fox, Greenhill, Cameron, Smart, Fotheringham, Tweed, Walker, Stewart, McManus, Linn, Young

The thread on the game is here: http://www.greenockmorton.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=17397

Friendly v East Fife

According to a couple of posts on http://www.greenockmorton.org/ Morton play East Fife in a friendly at New Bayview tonight with kick-off at 7.30pm.

See posts #4 & #11 especially: http://www.greenockmorton.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=17346

October Player Of The Month

Peter Weatherson (pictured) has been voted Morton's star man for October by readers of this blog.

Peter received 56% of the vote. Equating to 28 votes from a total of 50 which works out as over half the votes. His share of the poll is the most one sided so far but this was to be expected in a month in which he scored 4 goals in 3 games including a hat-trick against Partick Thistle.

His closest rival was the much improved Ryan Harding who got 12% of the votes (6/50).

The full results were:

1) Peter Weatherson - 56% (28/42)

2) Ryan Harding - 12% (6/50)

3) Kevin Finlayson - 8% (4/50)

4) David McGurn - 6% (3/50)

5) Lee Robinson / Scott McLaughlin - 4% (2/50)

6) Jay Shields / Chris Millar / Jim McAlister / Iain Russell / Chris Templeman - 2% (1/42)

A couple of results show the problem with these polls. The first is that Lee Robinson got 2 votes even though the only match he played in was the terrible Challenge Cup Semi-final defeat against St. Johnstone - another case of players and their mums voting. Chris Millar also got a vote when all he played was the second half against Hamilton Accies but because you have to run the poll when the month has ended it runs into the next month and people are influenced by performances then as well.