Bells Challenge Cup Rd 2
Tues 12th August 03
Cappielow Park

For the second time in three days Morton faced Airdrie Utd at Cappielow, this time however the competition was different as was the outcome.

The Challenge Cup may not be viewed as important as the league but after the hype surrounding Saturdays game it was sure to take on an extra significance for some on and off the park. Morton had started the game with Bannerman retaining his place in the team, Marco Maisano also starting with Chris Millar settling for a place on the bench.

It was Airdrie who overall seemed the hungrier of the two sides, and understandable considering the grievances they have been getting hot under the collar about, and the Lanarkshire side dominated the opening quarter of an hour with McKeown having a couple of chances and Vareille having hitting over .For all their dominance though breakthrough didn't come. Morton weren't producing much as a counter, Paul Walker was doing well on each wing only for his crosses to find no Ton player in the box.

Airdrie continued their tough tackling, however the ref consistently ruling no foul. He couldn't shirk away from events 10 minutes from the end of the first half however when a mistimed tackle from David McGregor resulted in a melee on the touchline that threatened to ignite what could already have been a powder-keg tie. Alan McManus of Airdrie didn't take to well to the tackle on his colleague and was over exuberant in his disapproval. Ref Willie young quickly got involved to calm the situation down and promptly issued red cards to McGregor for the initial challenge and to McManus for his reaction.

John Maisano had a chance after that after collecting an Alex williams through ball but the Airdrie 'keeper came out to clear. Airdrie continued their hard tackling and Marco Maisano was clattered by substitute Paul Ronald for which he duly received a yellow card. Ref Young then brought the half to an end with the score goalless.

It was Morton who made the breakthrough only seconds after the restart. As John Maisano picked the ball up 25 yards from goal the defenders, like most in the crowd, were expecting a pass and as they backed off him he took advantage of this space to fire a curling effort past McGeown in the Aidrie goal to give the Ton a 1-0 lead.

Alex Williams could have doubled Morton's lead soon after but Sandy Stewart got in a last-ditch block to deny the striker.

Morton seemed to be getting into their stride and looked like they would extend their lead as the passing was crisper and the spaces appeared. The tie was totally changed however by a terrible decision by the referee who somehow mistook Marco Maisano's leg for the ball and adjudged that the tackler on him had played the later. Soon after Jerome Vareille scoring for Airdrie after he made sure of the rebound after the Frenchman saw his header from a cross from Gow saved by Craig Coyle.

For all the fuss surrounding Saturdays tie when Chic took over as linesman and made NO important decisions, and certainly none that affected the match, this disgraceful error by an official ,that that lead to their goal and seemed to lift Airdrie while knocking Morton from the stride they had recently acquired, clearly changed the game. It is odds-on however that this moment will receive no press coverage as the press see no sensationalism in it.

Airdrie then a few chances as the Ton seemed to fall apart and only frantic defending around the six yard box ensured the match stayed level. It was Airdrie who were clearly in the ascendancy at this moment and they were rewarded for their efforts when Robbie Henderson, who had replaced Mel, stood off Docherty. He got the cross in from the right which was met by Roberts who hit a curling shot beyond Craig Coyle.

As Morton continued to push for the equaliser Bannerman was replaced by Millar and Hawke was brought on to assist Williams and Weatherson. Williams had a chance near the end but his shot flew just over the bar and so the game was brought to a conclusion. Airdrie fans the happier of the two sets of supporters as they got some sort of revenge for their defeat in the league and their apparent injustice.

So two games against one of the favourites for the league and the honours are even. Although it would have been good to progress in the Challenge Cup, if you had asked fans of both teams if they would rather get to the next round of this cup or collect three points in the league then I'm sure all would pick the later.

Morton: Coyle, Macgregor, Greacen, Marco Maisano, Collins, Bannerman(76), John Maisano(81), Walker, Bottiglieri(69), Williams, Weatherson. Subs: Millar(76), Uotinen, Hawke(81), Henderson(69), McGurn

Airdrie United: McGeown, Docherty, Stewart, McManus, Black(82), Vareille(84), M Wilson, McGowan(36), Gow, McKeown, Roberts. Subs: S Wilson(82), Dunn, Ronald(36), Glancy(84), Holus

Referee W Young

Attendance: 3317