Scottish 2nd Division
Sat 7th Feb 04
Station Park, Forfar

(Forfar: Ferry 10, Tosh 67 ; Morton: Williams 3)

Morton still look for their first win of 2004 as they went down 2-1 to Forfar at Station Park. The Cappielow side have saw a run including two defeats and two draws earn only two from a possible twelve points and with the chasing pack picking up points their commanding lead is being reduced.

Alex Williams gave the visitors the best possible start by putting them ahead after only three minutes. The on form striker picked up a pass from John Maisano and went round the 'keeper, his initial shot was blocked but he composed himself to make sure of the rebound despite the efforts of Rattray on the line. The Ton fans hoped that this would be the start of the revival of the Ton we had saw in the early part of the season but the home side had different ideas.

Shortly after the opener recent signing Chris McLeod left the field after a clash which saw the defender obviously dazed. While the bench waited to size up the situation, Forfar took full advantage of the space in the 10 man Morton team by scoring the equaliser. Lunan picked the ball up on the right and sent a cross into the box which was met by Ferry. His downward header was well blocked by Craig Coyle but the ball broke kindly for him to hit home.

Gaughan belatedly replaced McLeod in defence and after some initial jitters settled into a good game which saw the big defender make a few runs up field and some fine crosses into the box. Another player who was probably man of the match for Morton today was Craig Coyle. The goalkeeper showed again today on many occasions just how good a shot stopper he is and the score today could have been a lot hire if it weren't for him. One such save saw him stop from Davidson at the back post.

With 23 minutes gone Morton were temporary reduced to 10 men again when Alex williams, who looked lively, was clipped and couldn't continue. The striker appears to have some bruising to his leg and is expected to resume light training this week. Forfar almost took advantage of the reduction in personnel again when King found prolific hitman Paul Tosh. He hit a fine shot goalwards only to see his effort smack of a post much to the relief of the Morton faithful. With Morton surviving that scare they ensured equal numbers by introducing Warren Hawke who got his usual welcome.

Both teams were creating chances to take the lead with efforts by Sellars for the home side seeing his header go wide of the far post before Peter Weatherson fired into the side netting after controlling a Paul Walker pass and setting up the shot. With the snow now starting to fall the players welcomed their break as the half time whistle blew.

The second half was nearly not so as ref Stuart Dougal contemplated the future of the match. The snow had been falling heavier during the interval and the pitch was coved by a thin layer. After only a five minute delay though the players and officials returned and the match resumed with a combination of yellow and orange balls.

Mel Botiglieri had a chance to put Ton ahead in the 54th minute but his shot was saved by Brown before Craig Coyle in the opposite goal was called into action again and produced another fine save to deny Tosh. The Loons hitman wasn't to be denied soon after though as a dummy by Henderson found its way to him leaving the Morton defence wide open, he fired the ball low into the bottom left of the goal to put the home side in front.

As Morton tried to level Warren Hawke saw his header from a Weatherson cross saved by Brown before Jim Mcallister was brought on to replace John Maisano after 75 minutes and looked lively in the time he had on the park. Despite all their efforts, which included a succession of corners in the last five minutes, Morton couldn't find a way back and the points were awarded for the game as deserved.

Morton seemed to suffer again from that all too familiar trait nowadays of trying to walk the ball into the net instead of trying a shot and of passing responsibility to others to shoot or cross. Particularly on the snow covered ground shots fired goalwards would have proved difficult for 'keepers to handle. Forfar on the other hand were only too happy to shoot and only the post and Craig Coyle kept the score down.

Player wise Craig Coyle, as stated above, was excellent while his defence seem to be leaking goals with too much regularity recently. Stewart Greacan is obviously missed and will be a welcome return when fit to help bolster the defence, he is expected to play a reserve game this week and could return very soon. Alex Williams was his usual lively self today and capped his limited time on the park with a goal, he is definitely on form at the moment and hopefully will return soon.

With Hamilton having the opportunity to close the gap to four points on Tuesday night the seemingly safe margin that had many dreaming of the championship (and tied up weeks before the season ends) now looks not as cosy. Before the season started this gap would have been satisfactory but given having the large gap diminished,  and the apparent lack of form that is causing it, a slight element of disappointment and worry may enter the situation.

Forfar: Brown, Rattray(77), Lunan, McClune, Horn, Ferry, Sellars, Davidson, Tosh, Henderson, King. Subs: Byers(77), Maher, Williams, Shields, Neal Ferrie.

Morton: Coyle, Collins, Botiglieri, Macgregor, McLeod(14), Marco Maisano, Millar, John Maisano(75), Williams(23), Weatherson, Walker. Subs: Gaughan(14), Uotinen, Hawke(23), McAlistair(75), McGurn.

Referee: S Dougal

Attendance: 958