Keeper Stewart is penalty hero

Jonathan Mitchell • Published 26 Jul 2010 14:00 0 Comments

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SAVE: Colin Stewart made difference

COLIN Stewart was Morton's shoot-out hero as his spot-kick save sent his side through to the second round of the Challenge Cup.

It was a successful return to competitive action for the Cappielow men as they won through 4-3 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes.

Although Stewart, pictured, made the crucial penalty save, the goalkeeper was reluctant to accept the plaudits.

He said: "You pick a side and sometimes you're lucky and make the save, sometimes you don't."

"The pressure is all on the players, so it's them I feel sorry for. "I'm just glad the gaffer didn't ask me to take one!"

Morton had much the better of the opening exchanges and Stewart's opposite number, Stephen Grindlay, had to look sprightly to get down low and turn away Stewart Kean's point-blank header less than a minute in.

Grindlay was called upon again one minute later when Allan Jenkins let fly from 25 yards, but the stopper leapt to his left to block.

Dumbarton regrouped and it was Stewart's turn to get his team out of jail when he dropped to the right to parry Ross Campbell's coolly-placed shot.

Then, five minutes later, pacey forward Derek Carcary was unlucky with a 20-yard drive which finished just wide of the post.

Back at the other end, Grindlay continued to have the upper hand in his duel with Kean and foiled him with a top-class save when he sprung to his top left-hand corner and strained every sinew to tip Kean's effort over the crossbar in the 28th minute.

Unfortunately for Morton, Grindlay continued where he'd left off after the break and denied Kean with another stunning save when he flicked the striker's glancing header behind for a corner.

With one minute of normal time left, Holmes picked out Kean four yards from goal but he sclaffed wide with the net at his mercy and the match ended goalless.

Kean and substitute David O'Brien both had chances to win the game in extra-time, but Grindlay came out on top on both occasions, catching Kean's close range header and making an instinctive block to deny O'Brien and send the match to penalties.

Ross Campbell smashed the first spot-kick off the crossbar before Holmes, Michael Tidser, O'Brien and Kevin Kelbie converted for the Ton and Alan Cook, Martin McNiff and Andy Geggan netted for the home side.

Ryan McStay proved to be the fall guy, as Stewart pushed away his tame effort to ensure his side would be in the hat for the draw on Tuesday.

Afterwards, Ton boss Allan Moore said: "I think Dumbarton were worth the draw and to take the match to penalties.

"We don't mind how we get through, just as long as we do, as that's what matters in cup football.

"We didn't give them a choice in who hit the penalties.

"I looked at the players, decided who I thought would strike the ball well and told them they'd be hitting one."

Sons' gaffer Jim Chapman said: "I've got nothing but admiration and pride in the way my players played and competed today."

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 26 Jul 10

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