GREENOCK MORTON 10 - 1 VIEWFIELD ROVERS
A strong Morton side took to the pitch tonight and sealed an emphatic victory, securing a Renfrewshire Cup Final place against St. Mirren on July 24th.
The home team, despite lacking the reportedly-unsettled Alex Williams, had no trouble scoring, and even saw fit to waste numerous chances to increase the goal tally. Veteran forward Warren Hawke netted the first three, the pick of the bunch being a 20-yard low drive from outside the area that left Rovers' keeper rooted to the spot. A fourth goal further demoralised the battered Kirkintilloch men. It came in the shape of a Mark McColl strike from range following some slick passing.
Half-time came with several substitutions from the home team. Notably absent was Marco Maisano, excluded at the last minute from the starting eleven in favour of "Bishop" Scott Bannerman. Alex Williams failed even to make the bench, although rumour has it he was present at the ground. There or not, he requested a half-time song which was duly played.
One controversial striker who did make a second half appearance was Peter Weatherson, and it didn't take him long to make his mark on the game. After some passing on the edge of the box, Weatherson broke through into the area and was promptly scythed down. The referee had no hesitation in awarding a spot-kick; Weatherson even less when he sent the ball to the bottom left corner of the net to make it five. Iain Diack, another second half wonder, quickly added to make it six, effortlessly beating the 'keeper with a chip from close range.
Paul Walker played his usual frustrating game of running at the defence for too long, but it finally bore fruit when some beautiful utilisation of the space on the right wing allowed him to play the ball clear of the Viewfield defence, fire in a cross for the left post, which connected with Weatherson's diving header, bringing the score to 7-0. Scott Bannerman offered his contribution to the night by scoring a similar effort to make it eight, perhaps atoning for earlier defensive errors that earned the very much vocal ire of new signing Stuart McCluskey.
Of course, it wouldn't be Morton if the team didn't even make a cursory attempt to throw away an unassailable lead. Inexplicably, nerves started to show, with John Maisano making a second late challenge from which he was lucky to escape uncautioned. A few minutes later, woeful defending allowed Viewfield to reach the byeline inside the box, but no further, as their attacker was clumsily brought down. David McGurn helped silence his critics and put pressure on regular goalie Craig Coyle by saving a well-taken penalty from the resulting spot-kick.
Goal of the night came from the unlikeliest of places: the right foot of Derek Collins. Playing wider than usual - perhaps returning to his preferred position of right-sided full back - Collins was on hand at the edge of the area to receive a perfect cross from the left side of midfield. Meeting it with a high, first-time volley, the ball rifled into the top left.
However, all was not rosy at the other end. A jerry-built attitude to defence, perhaps forgivable at such a late stage with a convincing lead, allowed Viewfield space in the box which they did not waste, bundling a shot in John Stark's general direction. The young keeper failed to save convincingly and the ball rolled over the line. It is worth noting that the substitute stopper had a few errors, such as this and the occasional mis-targeted kick, but he by no means disgraced himself and will learn from such mistakes as he develops.
The match was rounded off by Peter Weatherson, completing the second hat-trick of the night. One could be fooled into thinking Morton's attacking was irresistible: in fact, several moves broke down, and those that didn't were often marred by terrible finishing. Defensively, the team looked better than towards the end of the last campaign, but allowing a team like Viewfield four shots on goal is perhaps - no offence to them - four too many. Despite impressive moments and an overall victory, much needs to be done to ready the 'Ton for the difficult campaign ahead. Of course, preparation doesn't come much more exciting or effective as a blistering, competitive derby match against the Buddies. Roll on July 24th.