Morton welcomed back former Ton legends Rowan Alexander & Derek Collins yesterday as 2nd division newcomers Gretna came to Cappielow in the 1st round of the Bells challenge cup.
Ton fielded the same side that proved so successful at Love Street last Saturday with Andy Mclaren playing in the hole behind strikers Lilley & Temps as part of a 3-4-1-2 formation.
Much like both Scottish pre-season friendlies Morton took a while to get going and while Gretna dominated possession the failed to really test Mcgurn in the Ton goal.
In probably the 1st real passing movement Morton managed to string to together Andy set up Jim with a ball inside the full back & Jim found Vialli who side footed home from 12 yards.
Unfortuantely the goal didn’t really settle the boys down and neither side was able to dominate the game. Gretna equalised midway through the 2nd half when the Ton midfield failed to track Davie Nicholls who fired home from 25 yards.
Jim made a couple of changes by bringing on Dean & Jason for Alex & Temps and this seemed to swing the balance in Ton’s favour but were unable to break the deadlock before the end of 90mins.
Within seconds of the start of the 1st period of extra time Gretna went ahead when the much vaulted front pairing of Bingham & Deuchar finally clicked for Deuchar to head past Mcgurn. As tempers flared between the more experienced players on the field Morton huffed and puffed but couldn’t find a way past Main in the Gretna goal and it wasn’t until the sending off of Innes after 2 quickfire bookings that we really took the initiative and when Jason & Vialli worked a fantastic 1-2 which saw Jason fire the equaliser there appeared to be only 1 team that was gonna win and this was proven correct when Vialli headed in after Main had parried from a fine run & shot from Jim.
Best of the day for the Ton were Finlayson and Vialli with my MOM going to Jim Mcalister who got thru a power of work on the flank and was instrumental in 2 of the goals.
All in all a good win for the Ton (always a turn up for the books when we win a cup game) who didn’t probably perform to their potential but got the result. Gretna showed that they will be a force in the 2nd Division and surely be one of ours main challengers for that coveted top spot.
Stats
Line-up (3-4-1-2)
---------------- Mcgurn -------------------
Weatherson---- Greacen --- Harding -----
--------- Millar -----A Walker ------------
McAlister------------------------Finlayson
---------------Mclaren--------------------
--------- Lilley --- Templeman -------------
Subs -
Gonet
Mcgregor
Keenan <-> A. Walker (61mins)
Adam <-> Mclaren (115mins)
J Walker <->Templeman (69mins)
Goals
Lilley 31
J. Walker 109
Lilley 113
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