Published: Tuesday, 8th July, 2008 12:00pm

Ton notch nine in Threave tune-up

by Russell Steele

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THREAVE ROVERS 0 MORTON 9

Debut double: Substitute striker Jon Newby fires home his first of two goals against Threave Rovers last night, as the Ton cruised to an emphatic 9-0 victory.
Pic by: James McFadden

MORTON got their packed pre-season schedule off to the ideal start with a glut of goals against South of Scotland league side Threave Rovers last night.

Davie Irons’ men came up just one short of double figures in a match which saw Brian Wake bag a hat-trick and sub Jon Newby notch a brace.

New signing Allan McManus — installed as skipper for the night — also impressed, appearing every inch the experienced commander at the back.

It took just 11 minutes for the floodgates to open, Iain Russell’s neat lay off finding Wake in space in the box, and he fired a crisp right-foot drive into the net.

The big Englishman almost returned the favour moments later, but Russell was thwarted by Threave keeper Parker.

It seems bizarre to say, but the Rovers custodian had an excellent match, making a series of solid stops and proving a real nuisance to Russell in particular.

But he could do little when the former Brechin man was first to a long ball from McManus in the 22nd minute and coolly lobbed in the second.

Ton were enjoying their workout on the lush surface of Meadow Park, and a three-goal burst inside eight minutes soon had them 5-0 up.

First Wake slammed home his second in the 37th minute after an untidy goalmouth scramble, then completed his treble moments later, latching on to Jim McAlister’s pass and slotting home.

McAlister’s emphatic left-foot drive made it five right on half time, and you wondered if the home side might make a run for it during the break.

There was to be no let up in the second half — despite the obligatory flurry of friendly match substitutions.

In the 51st minute, former Liverpool starlet Newby announced his arrival by converting fellow sub Jamie Stevenson’s cross at the second attempt. Just on the hour mark Erik Paartalu capped a polished performance with a dipping half volley which made it 7-0.

Newby then bagged his second as he followed up Peter Weatherson’s saved shot, and Ton were on cloud nine when Stevie Masterton curled home a left-foot effort with five minutes left.

Irons’ men now take on Tow Law and Durham in a mini-tour of north east England as their preparations step up a gear.

Morton: Stewart (Bradley, 55); Weatherson; Smith; McManus; McGuffie (Stevenson, 46); Paartalu (Mitchell, 62); Finlayson (Trialist, 52); Masterton; Wake (Graham, 52); Russell (Newby, 46); McAlister (Kerrigan, 62).