In our penultimate home game of the season, we welcome Allan Moore and his Greenock Morton side to the Braidwood Motor Company stadium today.
At time of print, league leaders Partick Thistle hadn’t yet played their game in hand against Raith Rovers but a win in that game would mean the Glasgow side were crowned Champions. In all fairness, even if they did slip up, Morton would require Archibald’s men to lose their last three games whilst winning all three of their own remaining matches to be able to snatch the title away.
So with all that said, despite a terrific season in which Morton have pushed Thistle all the way, there will undoubtedly be a feeling of disappointment within the ‘Ton squad. However, back at the start of the season, it’s fair to say that not many would have tipped Morton to still be in the title hunt in April.
After winning the second division title back in the 2006/2007 season, Morton’s highest finish in the first division over the past five years has been sixth and that came back in 2008/2009. Just last season, Morton finished in eighth place, only four points above Ayr United who occupied the relegation play-off position. So with that in mind, as much as being pipped so close to the end by Partick for the title, to even be fighting up there is an achievement in itself for Moore and his men.
An opening day draw with ourselves didn’t get the season off to a perfect start and with a draw and a defeat to follow; many would have been expecting another season of flirting with relegation for Morton. However, three times over the season the Greenock side went on seven game unbeaten runs with the Christmas period proving a happy time with back-to-back wins over Partick and Dunfermline really making people sit up and take notice.
As we entered April, Morton sat at the top of the pile but knew that the advantage was with Partick as they had games in hand and were winning them one at a time. It really all came down to the game ten days ago where Morton travelled to Glasgow to play in front of a packed Firhill, knowing that three points would see them sitting one point above Thistle with only four games remaining.
Partick had just played 120 minutes here against Queen of the South in the Ramsdens Cup final just the Sunday before and many thought that the defeat they suffered there might just hand Morton a slight advantage when coupled with tired legs.
A tight game was contested but it wasn’t to be for Moore and his men as a James Craigen goal for the Jags just before half-time was enough to put Partick back in full control.
The disappointment from that result appeared to linger over to last weekend as a depleted Dunfermline side went to Cappielow and managed to end a nine game winless run with a 1-0 victory.
It now looks like it’s just a case of crossing the t’s and dotting the I’s before Partick are crowned champions but Morton, who are assured of second place at least, can look back on the season knowing that they ran the Champions close.
Moore will now look to see out the campaign on a high by winning the remaining three fixtures before attempting to strengthen his squad over the Summer and push again next season. The experience of coming so close this year might just give the ‘Ton that added incentive to go one step further come the end of next season.
Dave Black.
As published in 'ROAR' - the Livingston FC matchday magazine.
At time of print, league leaders Partick Thistle hadn’t yet played their game in hand against Raith Rovers but a win in that game would mean the Glasgow side were crowned Champions. In all fairness, even if they did slip up, Morton would require Archibald’s men to lose their last three games whilst winning all three of their own remaining matches to be able to snatch the title away.
So with all that said, despite a terrific season in which Morton have pushed Thistle all the way, there will undoubtedly be a feeling of disappointment within the ‘Ton squad. However, back at the start of the season, it’s fair to say that not many would have tipped Morton to still be in the title hunt in April.
After winning the second division title back in the 2006/2007 season, Morton’s highest finish in the first division over the past five years has been sixth and that came back in 2008/2009. Just last season, Morton finished in eighth place, only four points above Ayr United who occupied the relegation play-off position. So with that in mind, as much as being pipped so close to the end by Partick for the title, to even be fighting up there is an achievement in itself for Moore and his men.
An opening day draw with ourselves didn’t get the season off to a perfect start and with a draw and a defeat to follow; many would have been expecting another season of flirting with relegation for Morton. However, three times over the season the Greenock side went on seven game unbeaten runs with the Christmas period proving a happy time with back-to-back wins over Partick and Dunfermline really making people sit up and take notice.
As we entered April, Morton sat at the top of the pile but knew that the advantage was with Partick as they had games in hand and were winning them one at a time. It really all came down to the game ten days ago where Morton travelled to Glasgow to play in front of a packed Firhill, knowing that three points would see them sitting one point above Thistle with only four games remaining.
Partick had just played 120 minutes here against Queen of the South in the Ramsdens Cup final just the Sunday before and many thought that the defeat they suffered there might just hand Morton a slight advantage when coupled with tired legs.
A tight game was contested but it wasn’t to be for Moore and his men as a James Craigen goal for the Jags just before half-time was enough to put Partick back in full control.
The disappointment from that result appeared to linger over to last weekend as a depleted Dunfermline side went to Cappielow and managed to end a nine game winless run with a 1-0 victory.
It now looks like it’s just a case of crossing the t’s and dotting the I’s before Partick are crowned champions but Morton, who are assured of second place at least, can look back on the season knowing that they ran the Champions close.
Moore will now look to see out the campaign on a high by winning the remaining three fixtures before attempting to strengthen his squad over the Summer and push again next season. The experience of coming so close this year might just give the ‘Ton that added incentive to go one step further come the end of next season.
Dave Black.
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