All Quiet On Potential Young Deal

It is looking more and more unlikely that Ton trialist Darren Young has earned a deal at Cappielow.

The 32-year-old central midfielder featured in three trial matches for Morton - appearing as a substitute against Cowdenbeath and starting matches against Raith Rovers and Dunfermline - and impressed in the most recent win against the Pars.

However, Saturday's appearance was the final outing which he could make while listed as a trialist. Young would now have to be offered a contract to play for the club again and the fact that it is now Thursday suggests that a contract offer might not be forthcoming.

In an interview for the Greenock Telegraph, Darren told me that despite Allan Moore's early statement that he had no money to sign him, he was still hopeful of getting a deal.

He said: “I’m not sure if there’s the chance of a deal. I’ve come here for a chance to get my fitness up, but I’ll speak to Allan Moore about it during the week and hopefully there is something there."

According to those in hosptitality after Saturday's match against Dunfermline, Moore stated that he'd have to speak to the chairman about signing Young, but that Douglas Rae was less than enthusiastic about a deal.

And, with time getting on, it looks like the chairman has maybe decided that there just isn't the money to sign Young.

Greenock Telegraph - Darren Hopes To Land Ton Deal (03.11.2010)

SFL - Young On Trial At Morton (21.10.2010)

The Kids Are Alright

Morton youngsters Nathan Shephard and Ryan Kane have extended loan deals with junior side Glenafton Athletic.

The teenagers both joined the New Cumnock team on initial one-month loans at the beginning of October, but after they impressed in that original spell, Glenafton manager Greig Denham, who is a friend of Allan Moore's, moved to extend their deals until December 31.

According to a Glenafton official I have spoken to, the pair have been very impressive and both netted a brace a piece in a recent 6-3 win over Vale of Clyde.

Although their deals are set to run until the end of December, the fact the loan deals are between senior and junior clubs means that they are free to play for Morton at any time during the loan. This was demonstrated when Kane (pictured, in action against Bellshill) was recalled to play in the 2-0 win over Queen of the South.

Their loan records so far are:

Shephard: 4 Starts, 0 Sub App, 2 Goals
Kane: 3 Starts, 1 Sub App, 2 Goals

Greenock Telegraph - Ton's Young Duo Extend Loans (05.11.2010)

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

Moore Not Bothered By Dundee Deduction

Allan Moore is insisting that Dundee's 25-point deduction isn't a godsend for his team - as he's aiming to finish in mid-table anyway.

Morton were lifted off the bottom of the table earlier this week after the SFL decided to deduct 25 points from the Dens Park side for their financial mismanagement.

The penalty ensured that Dundee dropped from fourth to 10th in the table and now sit 20 points behind Ton on minus 11 points.

However, in an interview with the Greenock Telegraph's Chris Tait, Moore has stated that he his looking to climb the league rather than stay ahead of Dundee.

He said: “We’re concentrating on catching the teams above us.

“The Dundee situation obviously puts them below us but at the end of the day we’re only looking after ourselves and we’re not looking at anybody else."

He echoed those sentiments in a similar article in the Scotsman, saying: "Of course it's a bonus for ourselves and all the other teams that are down there.

"But we've got to start winning games and climbing the table ourselves. Never mind relegation, we want to be up there in the top half of the table."

Greenock Telegraph - Moore: Up To Us To Climb Table (02.11.2010)

The Scotsman - Morton: Allan Moore 'Bonus' (02.11.2010)

Fitzharris May Play For Ton Again

Sean Fitzharris may play for Morton again, according to the Greenock Telegraph's Chris Tait.

When Celtic loanee Fitzharris dislocated his shoulder in the 11th minute of last month's 2-0 win over Queen of the South, Ton boss Allan Moore hinted that the severity of the injury meant that it may well be the last time he played for the club.

However, Fitzharris revealed that he may back sooner than first thought after Celtic's physio informed him that he would not need an operation.

He told Tait: “There is a chance I could be playing in a month or so. It could be a possibility that I come back in time to play for Morton.

“I have a few weeks of rehab work then I’ll take it from there and we’ll see how it goes."

The 18-year-old Inverkip lad's loan deal expires on December 15 and he has already stated that he would be willing to extend the deal if it suited both clubs.

Therefore, it may be the case that Sean will feature at Cappielow again this season even if he fails to make another appearance before his initial loan spell comes to an end.

Read the full Tele' article here: Greenock Telegraph: Sean Could Be Back In Ton Shirt (02.11.2010)

Morton 0-1 Raith Rovers

Morton 0 -
Raith Rovers 1 - Walker (61)

Morton dropped back down to the bottom of the First Division after losing 1-0 at home to league leaders Raith Rovers.

The match was a fairly even one in which both goalkeepers pulled off a few strong saves.

However, Colin Stewart could not keep out Allan Walker's 61st minute volley, which turned out to be the winning goal.

Despite some late pressure, Morton couldn't find a way past a stubborn Raith Rovers defence expertly marshalled by former St Mirren defender Laurie Ellis and protected by sitting midfielder Iain Davidson.

You can read my full Greenock Telegraph match report here: Morton Go Back To The Bottom

And match reaction from Ton goalkeeper Colin Stewart and manager Allan Moore here: Colin: We Need To Cut Out Errors

Morton (4-4-2):

1. Colin Stewart - 7
2. Grant Evans - 6
3. David MacGregor - 6
4. Marc Smyth - 7
5. Stuart McCaffrey (c) - 7
6. Michael Tidser - 6
7. Allan Jenkins - 6
8. Darren Young [trialist] - 6 (15. Graeme Holmes, 75 - 1)
9. Peter Weatherson - 5 (15. Jonathan Toto, 60 - 2)
10. Brian Graham - 6
11. David O'Brien - 5 (12. Carlo Monti, 64 - 2)

Subs not used:

14. Kevin Kelbie
20. Kevin Cuthbert

Booked: None.

Stewart
Evans Smyth McCaffrey MacGregor
Jenkins Young Tidser O'Brien
Graham Weatherson

Raith Rovers (4-4-2): McGurn - 7; Wilson - 6, Murray - 7, Ellis - 7, Dyer - 6; Walker - 7, Davidson - 8, Williamson - 6 (Ferry, 65 - 2); Tade - 7, (Weir, 79 - 4) Mole - 6 (McBride, 88 - 1), Baird - 6.

Subs not used: Campbell, McNeil (gk).

Booked: Weir, Walker.

Referee: Steve Conroy

Attendance: 1,858

My man of the match: Colin Stewart

Sponsor's man of the match: Colin Stewart

View from the other side:

raithroversfc.com - match report

raithroversfc - photographs

Son Of A Bitch

Morton face their second trip to the Strathclyde Homes Stadium of the season after they were drawn to face Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup third round.

Ton have already faced the Sons of the Rock in cup competition this season, securing a penalty shoot-out victory after a 0-0 draw in the Alba Challenge Cup.

The draw sees the Cappielow side face Dumbarton for the sixth time in five seasons.

The full draw:

Peterhead v Cowdenbeath
Ross County v Deveronvale
East Fife v Forfar Athletic
Bo'ness United v Buckie Thistle
Spartans v Forres Mechanics or East Stirlingshire
Stirling Albion v Partick Thistle
Cove Rangers v Berwick Rangers
Stenhousemuir v Threave Rovers
Brechin City v Preston Athletic or Annan Athletic
Airdrie United v Beith
Dumbarton v Greenock Morton
Alloa Athletic v Raith Rovers
Montrose or Arbroath v Whitehill Welfare or Wick Academy
Ayr United v Sunnybank
Elgin City v Livingston
Stranraer v Golspie Sutherland or Girvan

Date for ties: Saturday 20th November

SFA - Third Round Draw Made (29.10.2010)

McLean Gunning For Ton

Former Morton striker Kenny McLean is desperate to face the Cappielow side in this season's Scottish Cup.

McLean, who now plays for Ayrshire Junior side Beith, told the Scottish Sun's Paul Hughes that he wants a crack at the Ton in the next round of the Scottish Cup to gain some revenge after former Morton manager Jim McInally unceremoniously dumped him after he was diagnosed with cancer.

McLean said: "I'd quite like a crack at Morton in the next round. I used to play there and felt a bit aggrieved when I was released.

"I was only 20 and had been with them for about three years. Jim McInally was in charge there but I fell seriously ill and he just gave me the cold shoulder when I recovered.

"I was diagnosed with testicular cancer and missed four or five months.

"When I came back I was ready to go again but I just got binned.

"The way McInally did it was bad because he never even told me I wasn't getting a deal. After something like that I just want to enjoy my football. Life's too short."

The 25-year-old made 11 appareances (3 starts, 8 sub) for Morton in three seasons with the club and was actually given a shock start in the second leg of the 2005-06 promotion play-off against Peterhead.

Scottish Sun (25.10.10): Beith 8 Glasgow University 1