MORTON Under-11s and Under-12s prepared for their recent meetings with Inverness Caledonian Thistle as if they were Manchester United, according to coach David Garrett.

Both squads travelled to the Highland capital together on their coach, affectionately dubbed the ‘Venga Bus’, on the Friday afternoon.

They had a team bonding session at a bowling alley, stayed overnight at a local hotel and had a pre-match meal the next day before facing Caley Thistle in their respective fixtures later that afternoon. The club made a contribution to the coach hire and the rest — more than £1,300 — was raised by the boys through a sponsored walk at the Battery Park.

Under-12 lead coach Garrett told the Tele: “The Under-11s and 12s made the long trip to Inverness for an overnight stay in preparation for their games last Saturday.

“It was something we all discussed a while ago and everything we did went through Derek Anderson. All the players and parents had to sign a code of conduct, as they were representing the club.

“It was a real team effort. It was organised by two parents, Willie Graham and Willie McCrorie; the club paid around £400 towards the travel while the boys raised £1,300 with a sponsored walk.

“The kids had a game of bowling, a meal on the Friday and breakfast on the Saturday. We then took them for a walk in the morning in preparation for their matches.

“It was all very professional — it was just like Manchester United going away — and we’re trying to foster that professional atmosphere in the academy. It meant the boys turned up on the day fresh and raring to go.

“The Under-12s played a hard-fought match.

“There were outstanding displays from Stafford, Love, Crawley and Garrett, with goals scored by Garrett and McGowan. It was a great experience for the kids and it paid off on the park.

“It’s testament to all the players and their parents that they went up to Inverness and represented Morton Football Club to a very professional degree.” Under-11s coach Ross Gourdie said: “The Venga Bus departed Cappielow for Inverness on Friday afternoon.

“After a four-and-a-half-hour journey, with one pit stop in Perth, the players and parents finally checked into their hotel.

“Evening meal and entertainment that night was provided at a local ten pin bowling alley. It’s safe to say that many of our boys are thankfully better at football than they are at bowling!

“After an excellent breakfast on the Saturday morning, the teams then headed to the Highland Football Academy to play their matches.

“The Under-11s came up against a very strong and physical Inverness team who dominated the first few minutes and occasionally breached the Morton defence.

“Our boys eventually settled into the game and got back to playing their usual passing, possession football, which resulted in some excellent goals being scored.

“Overall the coaches were fairly pleased with the performance from the team. All the boys worked hard and showed great determination on the day.

“After the final whistle and a quick change it was back on the bus for the return journey to Greenock. On this occasion personal iPads and phones were ditched in favour for Radio Clyde.

“And the trip ended on a high note when, as we arrived back at Cappielow, DJ and Morton fan George Bowie gave the teams a mention live on air.

“Special mention must go to organisers, William McCrorie and William Graham, who both receive ‘man of the match’ awards.

“Well done lads!” HIGHLIGHTS THE academy continues to push players who have shown potential by fast-tracking them up an age group in order to measure their progress.

Last weekend’s fixtures saw a host of boys turning out for the side immediately above their own squad — and Derek Anderson has been pleased with how they have fared.

The head of youth said: “Last week we had John McLaren with the Under-14s, Stuart Boag and Chris McGowan with the 15s, while Lewis Strapp and Mitchell Duffy were with the 17s.

“We like to test the boys by moving them up an age level in order to gauge their development and they have done themselves justice, by all accounts.” THE Under-17s are currently down to the bare bones due to an injury crisis which has left them with just 12 available players.

Striker Tam Orr, who has scored over 30 goals this term, is the latest individual to fall victim to the curse.

Coach Derek Allan said: “We lost our top scorer Thomas Orr with an ankle sprain after 20 minutes of our match against Dunfermline and never really recovered from there.

“We are down to 12 players just now with injuries, and some people deciding their future lies elsewhere.

“So it is a real test for the boys to finish the year strongly and make sure they are still at Morton next year when the decisions are made.” DEREK Allan has been particularly impressed with how two of his dozen fit players have stepped up to the mark in recent weeks.

Skipper Dylan Stevenson and attacking midfielder Scott Tiffoney have shown real guts in recent outings and the Under-17s lead coach is predicting big things for the pair.

He added: “We are not defending well as a team just now and they need time to sort it on the training ground.

“Plus points were good performances from Scott Tiffoney and Dylan Stevenson. Both were very good on the day and they epitomised what we are trying to achieve here at Morton.

“We want our boys to play with big hearts and be brave and take the ball no matter what the result is on the day. Those two do that and have a big future in my opinion.” FIXTURES Saturday 22 March: Under-11s v Dundee (a) TBC, Under-12s v Dundee (a) TBC.

Sunday 23 March: Under-13s v Clyde (a) 11am, Under-14s v Clyde (h) 2pm, Parklea, Under-15s v Clyde (a) 1pm, Under-17s v Clyde (h) 2pm, Parklea