PART two of Morton’s Fife double header takes place at Cappielow tonight as another of those on the periphery of the play-offs pay Ton a visit.
After Saturday’s missed opportunity to make a bit of ground on Raith and Dunfermline, there is the chance to leapfrog the Pars this evening, even if they enjoy the luxury of two games in hand.
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Having clicked our heels last weekend following the excellent win over Ross County a fortnight ago, Morton never really got going in a stuffy affair on Saturday against the big-spending Kirkcaldy side.
A pal I spoke to on leaving the ground quite aptly described the game as one between a team moulded by Dougie Imrie and one managed by Dougie Imrie, which I couldn’t really argue with.
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It could certainly be argued that Morton had the better of a largely forgettable match, but to suggest they were worthy of the three points would probably be stretching it.
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There were however, plenty of positives to take from an afternoon that saw three debutants make their Cappielow bows. Murray Johnson, standing in for the injured Jimmy Storer, dealt comfortably with everything asked of him, though wasn’t tested as much as visiting manager Imrie may have hoped.
Curtis Main didn’t have an awful lot to work with on what the Ayr United loanee probably considered a frustrating afternoon, but Reuben Lopata-White looks an excellent signing.
Reuben Lopata-White impressed in the centre of Morton’s defence against Raith. (Image: alex craig)
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Few watching his performance would have believed that as well as making his Morton debut, the English centre back on loan from Leeds was in fact playing his first senior professional game, given how accomplished a performance he produced alongside makeshift centre back Iain Wilson.
I did feel that Morton really missed Michael O’Halloran on Saturday, though the improvements in Ian Murray’s two full backs, Zak Delaney and Cammy Ballantyne, since the manger’s arrival have been significant.
Added to the increasing influence Grant Gillespie is having by the week, it’s clear that the new voice of Murray is beginning to have a bit of influence on a dressing room that was looking stale a few short weeks ago.
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With O’Halloran’s absence likely to be short-term due to illness, I fear for Cammy Blues, who was withdrawn early in the match and looks like he may have to endure an extended period on the sidelines.
Cammy Blues limped off injured just six minutes into Saturday’s clash. (Image: alex craig)
That could see Wilson step into the midfield with Gillespie tonight, and Fergus Owens joining Lopata-White in the centre of defence, if Murray’s post-match comments were anything to go by. Given that Jackson Longridge was nowhere to be seen on Saturday, I don’t expect to see him returning.
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The centre of attention, however, was probably referee Ian Snedden, who failed to get to grips with a pretty ill-tempered game all afternoon and was inconsistent in awarding fouls for challenges similar to some he overlooked.
A penalty box melee midway through the second half saw four bookings and tempers fraying in the dugouts, with the ever-placid Jon Connolly on the Rovers’ bench uncharacteristically acting as the instigator, just for a change.
In fairness to the official though, he probably got the biggest call of the day right by refusing to award Morton what looked from my vantage point to be a stonewall second half penalty when Jai Rowe managed to get in front of the ball as Gillespie was pulling the trigger.
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Morton’s claim for a penalty when Jai Rowe challenged Grant Gillespie on Saturday was waved away by ref Ian Snedden. (Image: alex craig)
That said, I doubt I was in the minority who saw the irony in Scott Brown demanding the official send Ballantyne off after he took one for the team in injury time by taking the Raith captain out on the halfway line. That Brown could have been sent off after a series of fouls before that wasn’t lost on those around me.
Despite getting a bit of grief from a section of the Cowshed, Imrie’s gracious applause to the Morton fans at full time was reciprocated by most on an afternoon that neither team will take too much from.
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Looking forward to this evening, Dunfermline’s visit brings a bit of the unexpected. Riddled with inconsistency all season, the positive from their campaign comes from their Scottish Cup run, with a quarter final meeting with Aberdeen or Motherwell on the horizon after the Pars disposed of Queen of the South, Hibs and Kelty.
The spoils were shared without a goal being scored when Dunfermline came to Cappielow on the opening day of the Championship season. (Image: alex craig)
Goals have been at a premium in the two previous meetings, with a goalless draw at Cappielow on the opening day followed by a 1-0 reverse at East End Park in November.
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That’s not to say the Pars don’t have an attacking threat, with Andrew Tod enjoying a fine breakthrough season and Chris Kane always good for a goal against Morton, though Zak Rudden suffered a probable season-ending injury in the cup win over Kelty.
Morton lost 1-0 at East End Park the last time they locked horns with Dunfermline. (Image: Gary Bradley)
Having rested up on Saturday due to the postponement of Partick’s visit, Neil Lennon dropped by Cappielow to get a look at Morton, so will be well aware of what he’s up against.
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While a win would, at least temporarily, take Morton above Lennon’s side, doubling it up with a win at Lesser Hampden on Saturday could see Morton do themselves a real favour in keeping distance between themselves and those at the foot of the table.
And for the time being, that has to be the priority.
