Sons denied Old Firm tie

Published 8 Dec 2009 09:00

Dumbarton 0 Greenock Morton 1

A SOLITARY goal from Brian Graham 15 minutes from time was enough to ruin Dumbarton's dream of a tie against Celtic in the next round of the Active Nation Scottish Cup.

Dumbarton were unchanged from the side which drew at Cappielow last Saturday.

The game followed a similar pattern to the first game, with Morton dominating possession but Dumbarton holding firm.

The Greenock side opened the game with bold intent and took the game to the home side.

Early pressure brought a series of corners which produced no result and Peter Weatherson got his head to three Kevin Finlayson crosses without troubling the goalkeeper.

Then the same player headed over from a Jim McAlister cross.

After 17 minutes Morton almost took the lead.

A cross from Carlo Monti was headed goalwards by Stewart Greacen, but crashed off the crossbar with Jan Vojacek scrambling. Kevin Finlayson tried his luck from 25 yards but shot over the bar.

It took Dumbarton 29 minutes to mount a serious attempt on goal when Scott Chaplain and Stevie Murray set up Roddy Hunter, but he couldn't direct his header on target.

This gave Dumbarton heart and they created a good chance when David McGregor slipped on the halfway line, but Hunter couldn't create a clear shooting opportunity.

From the third of a series of corners, a Ross Dunlop header was fumbled on the goal-line by Morton keeper Colin Stewart, but he recovered before the ball crossed the line.

Morton started the second half in the same mode as the first, with David van Zanten's cross falling invitingly for McAlister but he guided the ball wide.

From a rare sortie up field substitute Martin McNiff tried his luck from distance, but Stewart held his effort comfortably.

Then a Finlayson cross found Weatherson, but Vojacek held his effort.

Derek Carcary raced away from the halfway line, but he couldn't manufacture a clear shooting opportunity.

Back to the other end and Iain Chisholm had to produce a fine tackle to deny Brian Wake a shooting chance.

The winning goal came with 15 minutes remaining. Finlayson fed van Zanten on the right and he produced a fine cross which was guided home via the head of Graham.

Within two minutes the tie was virtually sealed when Chaplain was sent off for a second caution in conceding a free-kick in a dangerous position.

Dumbarton threw everything at Morton in the closing stages, but the First Division side held on without any scares.

A disappointed Jim Chapman said: "We lost to a quality header from a quality cross. There was little between the sides.

"We knew we would create a chance in the game and would have to take it, but when it came we were unable to do so. We can use these games to drive our campaign in the Second Division."

Dumbarton: Vojacek, O'Donoghue, Smith, Dunlop, Gordon, (McNiff 46), McStay, (Clark 79), Chisholm, Chaplain, Hunter, Geggan, Murray (Carcary 56). Subs not used: Craig, White

Morton scorer: (Graham 75). Referee: S McLean. Crowd: 1495.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 08 Dec 09

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