martedì 3 marzo 2009

CLYDE-MORTON 2-4 (League One)


CLYDE 2 - MacLennan 44; Gemmill 45
MORTON 4 - Paartalu 32; Russell 70; Wake 86; Wake 90

Note: Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, 1.165 spettatori; espulso Gibson (C) al 61'.

Morton showed no shortage of perspiration last night at Broadwood, but the inspiration came from manager Davie Irons’ second half substitutions.


The introduction of Iain Russell and Brian Wake proved vital in snatching all three points as the relegation dog-fight took another twist.


Morton had not lost away to Clyde in the league since August 1993 when the Bully Wee won 2-1 in a then Division Two clash. Last night was Clyde’s ninth attempt to rectify that dreadful run against the Ton.


But the half-time withdrawal of James Grady for Wake and the second half switch to go three up front with Russell being thrown on for Ryan McGuffie proved the decisive factor in Clyde’s 16-year dismal home run against Ton continuing.


Russell, beaming with delight, said afterwards: “I was just delighted to be playing as I’ve not had the chance too often. The team have been doing well so it was great to be able to get on and make a contribution.


“We were pretty nervous because there was a lot riding on the game and it was three massive points.”

Commitment from both sides was too robust from the outset when Clyde captain Billy Gibson was yellow carded in the first minute for a reckless lunge on Alex Walker.


With just 10 minutes gone Morton’s Allan Jenkins also saw yellow for a late tackle on Scott Gemmill. It showed just how vital the outcome was to both sides and nerves were apparent.


When Morton finally got the opener in 32 minutes, not only was it of the stunning variety, it was no more than they deserved.

Grady rolled the ball from the right into the path of Erik Paartalu, who ran in and let fly with a sensational 25-yard screamer which flew high into the net.

Russell said of the strike: “Erik will never score a better goal than that this season — it was an amazing strike.To be fair he does it quite a lot in training. I was delighted for him.”


Morton did not know what hit them when Clyde, totally out of the blue, scored twice in the space of a minute right on the interval. Defender Alex Walker got caught in possession and allowed Ruari MacLennan to nip to and tuck the ball past goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert.


Thirty seconds later Gregory Tade whipped in a superb cross to the near post and Gemmill managed to glance the ball with his head into the net to give the Bully Wee an astonishing lead.


Russell added: “We were warming up at the time behind the goals and just couldn’t believe it having played so well in the first half and didn’t deserve to be 2-1 down.”


Clyde were reduced to 10 men in 61 minutes after Gibson paid the price for his early booking, when he was shown red for lunge at Jenkins.


Morton capitalised almost immediately when Stuart Kettlewell made a hash of a clearance in 70 minutes, Jenkins drilled the ball across and substitute Russell turned it in from close range.


A double late on sealed victory for Morton. Four minutes from time Stevie Masterton’s 18-yard shot took a wicked deflection off Wake and flew past the helpless Hutton.


Then, deep into stoppage time, the front man drilled home his second and Ton’s fourth from a narrow angle.


Russell said of the goals: “It was great for myself and Brian to get on and score. All I can do is my best when I get the chance.”


Manager Davie Irons said: “We showed great character after going behind having dominated the first half and having had so much of the play, but that’s just typical of my players. They showed they are up for the fight and that was a huge win for us in what is a huge week for us with games against Queen of the South and Airdrie coming up. We showed a positive attitude throughout and got out of the match exactly what we deserved.”


Clyde: Hutton, Brown, MacLennan, Higgins, Lithgow, Kettlewell (Trouten 86), Tade, Gemmill (Wilson 86), Stevenson (O'Reilly 88), McLaren. CT: John Brown.
Unused: Cherrie, McSwegan.

Morton: Cuthbert, McManus, Walker, Paartalu (Masterton 78), Greacen, Jenkins, Finlayson, McGuffie (Russell 66), Weatherson, Grady (Wake 46), McAlister. CT: Davie Irons.
Unused: Cannon, Smith.

Arbitro: M. McCurry

Nessun commento: