Greenock Morton 0 v 1 Raith Rovers

Click here, or read below for my match report of Greenock Morton v Raith Rovers which took place this afternoon. The report was published on the official Raith Rovers website.

 Table Topping Rovers Send Morton Rock Bottom

Greenock Morton lumbered to a narrow defeat against table topping Raith Rovers at Cappielow Park this afternoon. Apart from numerous long range efforts, the home side struggled to threaten the Rovers goal and despite throwing men forward at the end, the Fifers held on.

Raith were the better team in what was a fairly scrappy affair and would have been disappointed to go in at half time without a goal to show for their efforts.

The second half failed to see an improvement in quality but Allan Walker snatched the points away from Morton on the 61st minute as he belted the ball past Colin Stewart. His strike condemns Morton to bottom while it keeps Rovers on top.

Rovers tried to pass the ball around right from the start, but Morton had an early chance headed over by Allan Jenkins.

Raith had their first opportunities through a powerful Grant Murray header and a Jamie Mole cross which caused problems for Stewart in the Morton goal.

The Kirkcaldy side then tried to convert their possession into goals on 15th minute as Mole cut a ball across goal but Morton crowded out the onrushing Walker.

Gregory Tade drilled a ball across goal without any takers before Stewart pushed a rasping Iain Williamson shot up in the air and Stuart McCaffrey headed the ball over for a corner.

John Baird had two chances as first Walker and then Craig Wilson aimed two crosses at the striker. Baird's first effort failed to find the target but after Tade did great work down the right hand side to release Wilson, the receiving Baird met the ball perfectly but lashed it into the side-netting.

Despite Morton being on the back foot for the majority of the half, they still managed to carve open a great opportunity on the 37th minute. Brian Graham had the beating of Laurie Ellis in the box and from a tight angle stroked the ball inches wide of the post, but credit must go to Raith keeper' David McGurn who looked Schmeichel-like as he made himself as big as possible.

Rovers fans were shouting for a penalty as the half drew to a close when Baird’s run into the box was halted by a blatant body-check by Smyth.

Morton came out in the second half looking to cause a few problems in the Rovers defence with Michael Tidser curling a shot over the bar and Allan Jenkins heading over from a corner.

However, on the 57th minute Rovers went close again when Baird drove a fierce shot only to see a Morton defender block the effort away on the six yard line.

Baird then stung the palms of Stewart moments after McGurn had dealt with a Tidser shot comfortably.

The next attack saw Raith finally take the lead. Wilson's deflected pile-driver fell to the unmarked Walker who drove the ball at goal and despite a strong palm thrown in the way, Stewart couldn't keep the ball from nestling in the back of the net.

Graham Weir, who replaced Tade had an effort saved on the 86th minute, before Allan Moore pushed his team forward in search of a dramatic late equaliser.

Marc Smyth and Tidser hit long range shots over the bar, but the best chance for Morton to equalise came on the 89th minute. With Rovers defenders scrambling around Graham, he turned and watched his shot crawl inches past the post with McGurn scrambling.

However, it wasn't to be Morton's day and the result means they now prop up the rest of the division. On the other hand, Rovers keep up their lofty position and hold Dunfermline in second place below them in the league table.

Picture © Jim Foy

written by Will Lyon

Raith Rovers 1 v 0 Greenock Morton

Click here or read below for my match report of the Irn Bru First Division fixture between Raith Rovers and Greenock Morton which took place this afternoon. It was published on the official Raith Rovers website.

Rovers Maintain 100% Record 

Tade slots home from close range

Raith Rovers continued their winning streak as they turned over Greenock Morton 1-0 at Starks Park this afternoon.

The game looked to be heading for a goalless draw until Gregory Tade slotted home six minutes from time.

The Morton players looked devastated at full time and probably deserved to take something from the match after a solid defensive performance.

Raith were the better team in the first half with two opportunities falling to John Baird early on. The home side almost took the lead on the 13th minute when Grant Murray hit an effort at goal from an Allan Walker corner but Colin Stewart was in the right place at the right time and pushed the ball away.


Minutes later, Morton had a good chance themselves but David McGurn palmed away Michael Tidser’s freekick.

The Kirkcaldy side proceeded to dominate large spells of the half. Walker saw his freekick saved while Mark Ferry and Baird narrowly missed the target with their efforts.


Despite dominating the opening period, Rovers should have gone into the break a goal down. Peter Weatherston passed a ball through to the unmarked Allan Jenkins on the penalty spot, but the midfielder couldn’t connect cleanly and McGurn saved.


The second half was a different story as Morton appeared to step up a gear. Ten minutes after the break Carlo Monti found himself in the way of a team-mate’s shot and fortunately for Rovers the rebound flashed wide of the post.

Morton continued to carve out the chances as Kean fired over the bar; Graeme Holmes found the side netting and McGurn saved a stinger from Weatherston.

The match started to become scrappy and looked set for a goalless draw until substitute Jamie Mole’s shot fell to Tade and the Frenchman sent the ball home from inside the box.


Three minutes later Mole was causing more problems as his shot from the edge of the box ended up just inches wide of the post.

Allan Moore pushed his players up the pitch but Raith held out for the win, meaning they have now picked up 12 points out of 12 on league business.

The defeat was Morton’s second of the season and the Greenock club sit just 1 point above Partick Thistle who occupy the relegation playoff place.

Meanwhile, Raith march on and remain 3 points clear of Fife rivals Dunfermline at the top of the league table where they will remain over the international break. However, John McGlynn’s side have two tricky away ties against Ross County and Dundee next and will have to keep working hard to maintain their position.

Raith Rovers 1 v 2 Greenock Morton [Match Report]

Click here for the link to my match report of the Scottish First Division fixture between Raith Rovers and Greenock Morton which took place this afternoon. The match report was published on The Away End's website.

Davie Irons Sacked As Morton Manager

Click here for the link to my article on the dismissal of Davie Irons as Greenock Morton manager, back in 2009. The article was published on the 22nd of September 2009.