CIS Cup Round 2
Tannadice Park, Dundee
Tues 23rd Sep 03

Morton can come away from Tannadice with their heads held high after an impressive showing against SPL opposition.

Two lapses in concentration in defence on which United duly finished allied with a very debateable penalty decision saw the Tayside team progress to the next round.
Morton started the game with a more attacking formation with Alex Williams joining Peter Weatherson up front with Scott Bannerman taking a place on the bench.

For the majority of the game the visitor’s dominated and any fluent build up and attacks were coming from Morton. The Ton showed from the kick off that they weren’t here simply to sit back but they were hit by a sucker punch with only 9 minutes on the clock.
A concession of corners by United were cleared before Andy McLaren found himself with space and time to bullet home a header from Jim Paterson’s in-swinging corner. It was hardly deserved after Morton had the best of the early play but United showed that you have to take the chances when they are presented to you. The defending though by Morton didn’t exactly help the cause.

This didn’t deter the Second Division side however as they enjoyed most of the possession as they pressed for the equaliser. Morton created a few chances before the best of them by John Maisano. The Aussie blasted the ball from 25 yards and with the ‘keeper beaten the woodwork came to the Arabs rescue as the ball whacked of the underside of the bar.

Peter Weatherson came close to scoring also but saw his strike go inches over the bar. As before however despite all of Morton’s impressive play and possession they were dealt another sucker punch. Andy McLaren turned goal provider with a cross into the box which was dealt with innefectively again by the Morton defence but decisive by Jim McIntyre who powered in United’s second.

Morton continued to control the game as they tried to get back into it and Paul Walker narrowly missed from a John Maisan cross. And so United went in at the interval 2-0 up. It was difficult to take for Morton who outclassed their higher league opponents throughout the half with fine passing and possession limiting the hosts to minimal spells with the ball. Two defensive errors though proving costly.

Scott Bannerman replaced Paul Walker in the early minutes of the second half. The winger was hit with the ball just before half time and would appear to have suffered from that.

Morton continued to play the better football but were almost punished again. As Scott Bannerman stood off an advancing Jim Paterson the striker shot from 20 yards out but Coyle tipped his dipping shot over the bar with a superb save.

McCormack replaced Williams with Hawke and Millar for Jani. Within a couple of minutes the Ton deservedly got the goal their dominance deserved. Scott Bannerman played the ball through to Weatherson who composed himself in the box to pick his spot before drilling the ball past Bullock. With Morton’s play up to now and the Ton buoyant from the goal they pushed forward with fans and players knowing this game was definitely not over yet and an equaliser was certainly not beyond our means.

Any hope soon disappeared though as Ref John Rowbotham was conned by United’s sub Colin Samuel. David McGregor marked the striker closely as he rushed into the box but the Trinidad and Tobago player went down in spectacular fashion under the challenge. The decision was certainly unfair and you could actually see the hope draining from the Morton players when the decision was given. The fans were obviously disappointed but to players who worked so hard and knew the dream of beating SPL opponents was still very much alive and within their reach to now be realistically dragged away from them was unfair.

McIntyre made no mistake from the spot to put the game beyond reach.

A 3-1 defeat was harsh on the Greenock men as they showed they can play against higher league opposition and can definitely hold their head up high. It was shown however that slack defending will be punished at this level. A fine and vocal travelling support also showed their SPL counterparts how to back your team as the Arabs only came to life when their team scored, and at that it was over almost immediately. Perhaps this is the norm in the SPL which seems to be trying to kill of the joy of watching a football match. A rule where no standing during play was enforced resulting in eviction by some young Ton fans. If this type of atmosphere is the norm for SPL grounds then if Morton have hopes to be there in the coming years we should enjoy the excellent atmosphere that we get at Cappielow just now while we can.

Dundee Utd: Bullock, Griffin, James Paterson, McInnes, Archibald, Miller, McIntyre, Duff, Scotland(79), McLaren(70), Innes. Subs: Gallacher, Kerr, Samuel(70), Dodds(79), McCracken.

Morton: Coyle, Collins, Bottiglieri, Macgregor, Greacen, Marco Maisano, Millar(73), John Maisano, Williams(73), Weatherson, Walker(47). Subs: Hawke(73), Bannerman(47), Uotinen(73), Gaughan, McGurn.

Referee: J Rowbotham.