Morton 2 Hamilton Accies 2
Cappielow Park, Greenock, 24 January 2004
Bell's Scottish League Division 2
Report by Gilbert Mowat
Where to begin? This was one of those mental games that you get to see once in a blue moon.
Accies lined up with Jim Sherry replacing Derek Ferguson in midfield and Stevie Convery returning to action on the subs bench. Morton were missing regular central defender Stuart Greacen, but had taken Rangers player Chris McLeod on loan. With the normal away end closed due to the bad weather, the vociferous Accies support were congregated at the far end of the main stand. Sportingly, Morton charged the normal price for the uncovered seats - £9.00.
The game got off to a cracking start with Accies taking the lead within 2 minutes, when Brian Carrigan swung over a terrific free kick and Todd Lumsden headed the ball into the bottom corner, with Morton 'keeper Craig Coyle rooted to the spot. Sadly the lead was to last for only 7 minutes when Alex Williams equalised from close range after Dave McEwan had saved a close range shot by Chris Millar.
The main talking point of the game came just 5 minutes later when Accies took the lead. Craig Coyle made a hash of a clearance and the ball went straight to Jose Quitongo about 40 yards out. The wee guy evaded a tackle by one of the defenders but his shot was blocked by Coyle. Instead of trying again, he squared the ball to Brian Carrigan who was in a good position. Carrigan hit the ball goalwards, but it was blocked on the line by Morton captain Derek Collins. It was an obvious handball and the red card and spot kick award were mere formalities. Collins left the park to no complaints from anyone and Carrots made his usual excellent job of the penalty, with Coyle sent the wrong way.
At this stage, the Accies support were in raptures. Leading Morton, with the home side down to 10 men - this was great stuff. Sadly, the lead was again to last only a short while, with Alex Williams being sent clear on the right to thump the ball past McEwan from 10 yards. It seemed that the ordering off of Collins wasn't making that much of a difference. The main problem was Williams, who was extremely dangerous whenever he got near goal. He did take time out, however, to give the Accies fans a "V" sign before half-time - or was he just indicating his two goals?
Accies came close to taking the lead again before the interval when Jose Quitongo hit the top of the crossbar with a cross from the right. Morton had a couple of efforts as well but nothing to get too excited about.
Allan Maitland made a tactical and personnel change at the interval, with Mark Corcoran replacing Todd Lumsden and the team switching to a 3-5-2 formation. It turns out that Todd had sustained an injury after 20 minutes and couldn't continue. As it was, the changes possibly improved the formation of the team and, in fact, Corcoran came to Accies rescue when a Morton player headed a corner towards the goal. With the rest of the defence like statues, Corky was able to clear from the goalline.
To be honest, Morton coped very well despite being a man short and although they rarely looked like scoring, they were the better team for long spells of the second half. It seemed that they were able to increase their energy levels to compensate. If Accies had been able to match them for work-rate perhaps they would've won the game. However, our part-timers had a difficult match against Forfar in midweek while the full-time home side had not had a game for a fortnight.
Both teams made their full quote of changes, with Accies withdrawing Brian McPhee after an hour or so and replacing him with John Gemmell. Gemmell was impressive and brought a different dimension (and some height) to the forward line. Wee Jose was the next to be replaced, with Stevie Convery getting a very welcome run out for the last part of the game. Morton took off their strikers Williams and Weatherson and brought on Warren Hawke and Phil Cannie.
For the last 15 minute or so it was as if the Morton players just ran out of steam and Accies took over. At last it was apparent that we had a numerical advantage. Mark Corcoran had a couple of great runs into the box but his poor finishing let him down. There were a couple of half-hearted penalty appeals that were dismissed by referee Calum Murray. John Gemmell came close when the goalkeeper seemed to get confused was to where he was but then the ball broke to a grateful Coyle and the chance was lost.
The fans were probably happy to accept a point from this game, but the truth of the matter is that Accies came within a ba' hair of winning the game right at the end. John Gemmell was the creator when he rolled the ball into Brian Carrigan's path about 20 yards out. Carrots thumped the ball low and extremely hard but to our dismay, it struck the foot of Coyle's left hand post. The rebound cannoned off an Accies attacker in the centre of the goal but bounced agonisingly over the bar.
Accies left the park to a well deserved ovation from the fans. The draw probably means that we won't win the league - Morton surely will. But it also means that we have a great chance of claiming second position at the end of term. I am sure we would all grab that right now.
Morton: Coyle, Collins, Macgregor, McLeod, Bottiglieri, Millar, John Maisano, Marco Maisano, Walker, Williams, Weatherson.
Subs: Uotinen, Cannie, Hawke, Gaughan, McGurn.
Hamilton: McEwan, Whiteford, Lumsden, Thomson, Hodge, Arbuckle, Carrigan, Aitken, Sherry, Quitongo, McPhee.
Subs: Corcoran, Convery, Gemmell, Donnelly, Jellema.
Referee: C Murray
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