Ton looking to build on run with another win
Russell Steele • Published 13 Jan 2012 14:00
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A TEAM back in form and very much on the upgrade, Morton will attempt to win their fourth match-in-a-row tomorrow when they do battle with Raith Rovers for the second time in seven days.
The Ton made the trip over the Kincardine Bridge last Saturday for a Scottish Cup tie against the Kirkcaldy men and returned safely ensconced in the draw for the fifth-round, courtesy of a spirited second-half comeback which led them to a 2-1 triumph.
A trip to Motherwell awaits them next month but in the intervening period Allan Moore and his men will be focusing on nudging their way up the league table.
They should have their sights set firmly on Livingston and Partick Thistle who sit just above them in the division.
Ton enjoyed a strong spell around this time last year but much of the good work they achieved was eventually squandered by an untidy late slump. They will want to maintain their good run this time round, for as long as is realistic in what is a notoriously competitive league.
Having just defeated tomorrow's opposition away from home, the Greenock men - as hosts this time round - would ordinarily be expected to go in again on their home turf.
But the manager has highlighted how his players sometimes struggle to find their rhythm at Cappielow, and that could ensure the match is anything but a foregone conclusion.
Anyone who was at last week's cup tie will certainly be in no doubt that Rovers have the ability to provide testing opposition - they could and perhaps should have been 2-0 up by the time the interval came, and it was little surprise to hear that Moore had delivered a stinging rebuke to his team before the restart.
The dressing down certainly had the desired effect as Morton came flying out the traps and put Rovers right on the back foot when they re-emerged.
The second half performance bore almost no resemblance to the anaemic display that had gone before and was also hugely helped by the influence of the substitutes Moore was able to introduce.
It's no secret that Peter Weatherson would prefer not to deployed as an emergency full-back, but he coped admirably when he entered the fray, settling things down, and acting as the launchpad for several of the attacks which helped turn the tide.
His fellow sub, Peter MacDonald, had an even more telling impact on proceedings - his instinctive first-time pass which sent Archie Campbell scampering away for the equaliser showed him at his quick-thinking best and it was executed perfectly.
MacDonald's shrewd reading of the game was on show again when he won the penalty which he subsequently converted to seal victory - the wily striker knew he had Grant Murray exactly where he wanted him even before the defender's clumsy challenge came.
It speaks volumes about Ton's current abundance of attacking options that the former St Johnstone striker started the game on the bench.
Partnering Andy Jackson ahead of him once again was 21-year-old Campbell, who repaid his manager handsomely, with his devastating pace used to great effect and another fine finish crashed home.
At the other end of the pitch goalkeeper Colin Stewart made a solid return to the team and threw in a penalty save for good measure, while Andy Graham takes credit for a commanding defensive performance.
The big defender and his colleagues will need to be on their mettle again tomorrow, as Pat Clarke, John Baird and Damian Casalinuovo all showed last week that they have the ability to cause problems.
Most would acknowledge that if Morton were worth the win over the piece last week, they can also reflect on the fact that they enjoyed a bit of fortune at important moments too.
Rovers were frustrated by some close calls and offside decisions, rued a late shot which crashed off the post with Stewart well beaten, and then blew another decent chance in injury-time.
John McGlynn and his players will be smarting from the way they surrendered the advantage and fired up to make amends - while their need for points is becoming somewhat pressing as the second half of the season ticks on.
The men from Fife will no doubt be reminding themselves that they are only six points adrift of their hosts too.
In some ways it is not ideal that Ton find themselves up against the same opposition as last week - especially in a league where the teams are already so familiar with one another.
But what may give them the decisive edge is that they should be able to thrive on that so-often elusive ingredient which is crucial to any successful football side - confidence.
MORTON have doubts over the fitness of midfielder Derek Young and defenders Thomas O'Ware and Grant Evans, above, ahead of the visit of Raith Rovers tomorrow.
Both Young and O'Ware have struggled to train this week after picking up knocks in the Scottish Cup in over the Fife side last weekend.
And Evans is causing most concern after suffering an ankle injury - but will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness ahead of the league match.
Meanwhile, long-term absentees Stuart McCaffrey and Ross Forsyth, inset, remain sidelined due to foot and hamstring injuries respectively.
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 13 Jan 12
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