Morton V Peterhead

Tonight see's Morton take on Peterhead at Cappielow in the 1st leg of the semi-finals of SFL play-offs with a place in division 1 at stake.

Morton completed their league campaign on Saturday with a 2-0 at Forfar. Mcinally rested a number of 1st teamers for tonights match but the youngsters that came in done a great job by all accounts.

The top of 2nd Division table looks like this

1 Gretna 36 88
2 Morton 36 70
3 Peterhead 36 57
4 Partick 36 57
5 Stirling 36 51

With Gretna promoted as champions and Morton, Peterhead & Partick taking the 3 play-off spots along with Stranraer who finished 2nd bottom of the 1st division.

So the line ups for the play-offs are

Wednesday, 03 May 2006
Morton v Peterhead, 19:30
Stranraer v Partick, 19:45

Saturday, 06 May 2006
Partick v Stranraer, 15:00
Peterhead v Morton, 15:00

The winners of these two ties will meet home & away on the 10th & 14th May to decide who takes the remaining spot in the 1st division.


So tonight's game after weeks of meaningless fixtures Morton must get on their big game faces. They have shown over the season they they deserve that 2nd spot but unfortuantely are a bit hit & miss on the day.

With a full squad to choose from the expected line-up is

mcgurn
weatherson - greacen - harding - mcgregor

millar - walker - mclaughlin

mcalister - mclaren

lilley

The back 5 is Jim's 1st choice back 5 but I feel that often Harding & Greacen together in central defence leads to mistakes - I think if we had a recognised left back at the club Davie Mcgregor would be a better choice at centre half.

In midfield the 3 have all shown they are capable throughout the season but whether they are capable of playing all together is another matter. All too often our midfield has been outnumbered and outmuscled by the opposition.

Jim & Andy are the key players for Morton they have to work hard to create for Lilley but also drop back and cover when Peterhead attack - This formation can take the form of a 4-3-2-1, 4-5-1 or even a 4-4-2 depending on the type of game we are playing.

If we can get the ball on the ground I think we can take Peterhead we have shown we are a good passing team. We must not allow Peterhead to draw us into a long ball game that oftens takes over when we are pressurised. With only Lilley up front its vital that we pick the right passes rather than hit & hope.

Hopefully we get a good performance from the boys tonight and make the daunting trip to Balmoor on Saturday a little but easier.

Mon e Ton.