Ayr hooooddooooooo strikes again

Just back from a disapointing night a Cappielow

Morton were playing Ayr in the 1st round of the CIS League Cup. After 2 wins out of 2 in our opening competive games hopes were high but the start of the match would soon bring us crashing back down to earth.

In 1st 30 mins we gifted possession and 2 goals to Ayr (could have been 3 but Vareille hit the bar) and we looked devoid of idea's. 1st goal Ayr player picked up the ball from a poor clearance (I think) and ran from centre circle to 20 yards out with no challenge and fired a cracker from 20 yards in to the WDE net.
2nd Greacen could decide to control or clear - didnt do either and gifted the ball to Varielle who split what was left of the defence for the no.10 to run in and finish well. almost grab a third when Greacen was beaten again by their impressive no.11 who flicked on to the onrushing Varielle who cracked the ball off the top of the bar

Only player who got pass marks in the 1st 30 mins was Jim Mcalister who won CIS man of the Match tonight (about time he got one of these). Last 15mins of the half we looked like we were starting to get somewhere - Spoonsy hit the bar and we had some better passing play but ulitmately couldn't create any clear cut chances.


At half time we took off Temps and brought on Jason Walker and certainly looked more dangerous (Jason looked best of 3 strikers tonight I thought) eventually got the breakthrough with 20+minutes to go a cracking free kick by Andy onto the head of Vialli from 10 yards. We huffed and puffed yet couldn't put the ball away Lilley had one cleared off the line and we had few close calls.

Assesment based outwith the 1st 30mins when we had much possesion but were very poor.

Mcgurn - didn't have much to do - no chance with goals

Defence - looked shaky as Ayr no.11 won everything and Varriellle was very cunning. Didn't have a lot to do after it went 2-0

Millar - poor game by his high standards - his decision making was poor and made a couple of howlers.

A. Walker - At times looked good - probably his best competitive game but could also have done more - often he could have drove forward more.

Finlayson - Up against a tough full back who could match him for pace - not as effective as he could have been.

McAllister - All over the park again - winning tackles, trying to create - obviously tired as the game went on. Deserved our MOM

McLaren - Was constantly trying to create things and gee on the team. Found Lilley well for goal and got the impression that if we were to equalise he would have a hand in it - 2 (almost) full games in 4 days will take it out of him the way he plays

Lilley - a quiet game for Derek - looked out of sorts for a lot of it - when Walker came on here had some nice 1 touches. Good header for goal

Temps - Some nice touches and some awful touches - usual game from Temps

J. Walker - looked lively when he came on - brought Lilley into the game more and got in about them - pushed his cuase for a start.

Impressed by Ayr they worked and they harried our team - their no.11 was my MOM. Dont reckon on this showing that John will get in their team - all 11 players worked their socks off. May have been different had we not gifted them 2 goals but probably just about deserved their win. For the Ton its back to the drawing board - maybe the wake up call we need as we have won past 2 without playing to our potential.

Reckon Jason Walker should be given a chance at Forthbank and if we had more options in the squad I would rest Millar and reshuffle the defence.