Match report - Morton v Partick Thistle
Greenock Morton v Partick Thistle
Cappielow
Saturday 7th November, 2009
Reporter: Alan Murray
Referee- George Salmond
Attendance: 2,738
Morton 0 Partick Thistle 2
Thistle went to Cappielow looking for 3 points after the defeat at the hands of Raith last week. Ian McCall made the one change, with Mark Corcoran making way for Chris Erskine on the left.
New signings Steve Lovell and Jamie Adams both took a place on the bench.
The match began untidily with Morton closing down Thistle, causing any pattern of play we attempted, to be disrupted. Morton were playing the long ball to the front two Weatherson and Wake which causing the Thistle defense problems.
After the 16th minute Wake had two chances to put Morton ahead. First john Roberson managed to get to clear and the second Jonny Tuffey made an excellent block to deny Wake.
Morton was on top and starting to put the pressure on.
Liam Buchanan had a chance to put Jags ahead after a nice pass by Donnelly but Liam’s shot was just past the post.
Thistle should have taken advantage of a mistake by Colin Stewart. The goalie was unable to hold the ball in the box and then broke to Donnelly whose shot was headed off the line. Sid will know he should have scored. He snatched at the chance when he had more time to get a better strike on the ball.
Johnny Tuffey again came to the rescue after the 41st minute when Brian Wake’s effort in the box was saved by Tuffey’s legs. Two very important saves made by the goalkeeper and crucial to the outcome of the game.
A few minutes later the Morton fans beside us in the stand were celebrating a goal. Unfortunately for them Peter Weatherson’s effort had only hit the side netting!
Half time came and it was a poor performance by the Jags. Morton were closing us down and giving no time on the ball. We were struggling to compete with the physical nature of the game. Hodge, Paton and Erskine were all ineffective.
Not surprisingly McCall looked to change things in the midfield. Bryan Hodge who had really struggled in the first half made way for new signing Jamie Adams.
Brain wake was involved again at the Thistle end and Tuffey again proved his worth by denying the Morton Striker.
Jamie Adams had come to help compete with a physical Morton side. He made a brilliant tackle with what could be described as a robust challenge! This is what was missing from the Thistle midfield in the first half.
After the 53rd minute Thistle went ahead after some excellent work by David Rowson. His sheer determination took him through and spotted Buchanan unmarked and he was never going to miss from close in on goal.
A few minutes later and Jags went two up. Paul Paton made an excellent pass out of defense. Liam Buchanan took the ball up and drove at the Morton defense. He then squared the ball to Sid who just like Buchanan a few minutes earlier had the easy task of putting the ball into the net.
Morton were still pressing the Thistle goal and after the 62nd minute Thistle escaped after a corner was headed off the line from a Ryan McGuffie header.
Thistle still were a threat at the Morton end and David Rowson’s chip just evaded sub Mark Corcoran.
Morton were starting to run out of ideas and really did not look like scoring in the final third of the game. They had a few long range shots on goal but ‘woeful’ would be the description of these ‘efforts’!
Man of the match - Johnny Tuffey made some vital stops to keep us in the game but David Rowson takes this award. He held up the Thistle midfield in the first half when all around him were struggling. He also contributed to the attacking side and his determination led to the first goal. Ian McCall must be delighted with his form.