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MORTON 0 : 1 QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 1st September 2007
MacDonald
Rating: 6.96
Paton
Rating: 7.02
Thomson
Rating: 7.35
Lauchlan
Rating: 6.86
McQuilken
Rating: 6.71
Burns
Rating: 6.90
S3
MacFarlane
Rating: 6.55
Scally
Rating: 7.10
S2
Tosh
Rating: 6.08
S1
Dobbie
Rating: 6.20
1
O'Connor
Rating: 8.39
SUBSTITUTES
S1 - 68
Mole
Rating: 5.49
S2 - 68
Adams
Rating: 5.73
S3 - 76
Bingham
Rating: 4.96
Harris
Grindlay
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Name or IFC No.
MATCH SUMMARY
With the injuries starting to clear up and the suspensions all served Gordon Chisholm had the closest thing to date to a full squad to select from. Only Neil McGowan was definitely unavailable for the game with Jamie Adams in the pool for the first time since his pre-season hernia operation. Adams had to make do with a spot on the bench though as the only change to the starting eleven that won last weekend saw Paton return in place of Robert Harris and McQuliken revert back to his more usual left back position. Morton were able to call on the services of Annan boy Iain Russell, signed from Brechin Coty for a reported £40,000 yesterday, and Michael Gardyne who also made a deadline day move, in his case from Celtic. Gardyne at least will be familiar to Queens fans as the creative influence behind Ross County last season. Another couple of familiar faces in the Morton team were Peter Weatherson and Stewart Greacen, both formerly seen in Doonhamer blue, although the former did so with much more success than the latter.

Lauchlan takes no chances - Photo from Sandy Robertson
Russell had already been let down by his control from forging a clear opening before Sean O'Connor had the first sight of goal for Queens. McFarlane's ball inside seemed to sit up perfectly for the big front man but Greacen got across to make a block. Up the other end Peter Weatherson hammered a free kick over the top shortly afterward. In 14 minutes Burns made the by-line and cut the ball across goal towards O'Connor but the striker could only toe end it across the face of goal. Jim Lauchlan picked up a booking in 20 minutes for persistent offending rather than anything specifically relating to the fairly mild challenge in midfield. From the resulting free kick Stewart Greacen strode forward and shot over from 30 yards. A minute later McQuilken was a little short with a back pass and forced MacDonald to rush from his goal and save at the feet of an attacker. The ball eventually broke loose to Russell who put the ball into the net but by then he had gone offside. Seconds later and Morton almost broke clear again only for a last ditch McQuilken challenge to deny them again, although the ball did cannon back off his hand and Mr Norris was quick to deny a loud penalty claim.

MacDonald copes comfortably with a corner ball - Photo from Sandy Robertson
Just after the half hour mark O'Connor made the by-line and fired a ball across the face of goal that pinballed off a couple of defenders before being grabbed by Robinson in the home goal but his early clearance almost played Bobby Linn clear on our goal. Fortunately his first touch forced him a little wide and Lauchlan got back to clear any danger. It was end to end stuff now and after Dobbie had a shot blocked in the box Russell at the other end turned and fired a drive narrowly over from 20 yards out. A minute later another Russell turn and shot from a ball in by Weatherson was easily held by MacDonald. Just before the interval Morton were caught in possession in their own territory and Dobbie's first time curling shot didn't miss target by too much but Queens saw it through to half time scoreless.

It was a sharper looking Queens side who opened the second half though. Dobbie had already struck one shot over from 25 yards when on 47 minutes Paton went on a mazy run from right back and slipped the ball into him in the box. The striker attempted to work an opening for himself but instead it opened up in front of him to play the ball to Sean O'Connor and the big man skilfully slotted the ball into the bottom right corner from 12 yards, giving Robinson no chance.

Sean scores - from David Gow on the teracing

A static defence look on as Steve Tosh celebrates Sean's goal - Photo from Sandy Robertson
On 51 minutes Harding received a booking for a pretty cynical trip on O'Connor as he broke down the left side. Lauchlan got on the end of Paton's resulting free kick but headed miles wide. A few minutes later though Jim Thomson gambled on an interception, didn't get there, and was bailed out by McQuilken coming across with a brave challenge. Morton had seen enough and in 58 minutes Templeman and Gardyne replaced Millar and Linn. Morton were on top now and Scally made a heroic block of McAlister's shot on the end of a fine run.

Midfield action - Photo from David Gow
In the 68th minute Jamie Mole replaced the tiring Stephen Dobbie as Chisholm looked to maintain the impetus whilst Jamie Adams replaced Tosh who had just picked up an ankle knock. Three minutes later Templeman looked set to equalise as he headed Finlayson's cross beyond MacDonald's dive but Captain Courageous Jim Thomson appeared in just the right place to head off the line. In the 74th minute Scally 'took one for the team' when he pulled Gardyne down on the edge of the box as he bore down on goal. Scally was duly booked but Weatherson's free kick fortunately was charged down. Bingham replaced McFarlane two minutes after that as Chisholm completed his changes and that was quickly followed by Morton introducing Stevenson for Finlayson.

Fans celebrate at the end - from David Gow on the teracing
Paul Burns joined the list of bookings for a late challenge on the halfway line in 84 minutes. With three minutes remaining McAnespie missed a golden chance for the home side as his shot drifted wide off a headed clearance from Lauchlan. Seconds later Adams missed an incredible chance to clinch the points from Mole's pass as he found himself clean in on Robinson six yards out but the keeper stood up well and made the block. In the final minute Adams committed a bad foul on the edge of the box and McAnespie fired a low free kick just past the post. Seconds later another Adams foul earned the returning midfielder a yellow card. The free kick came to naught though and Queens held on for a terrific three points to take into the international lay off

Ewan Lithgow

Morton challenge with a free-kick - Photo from David Gow

A Morton corner is floated in - Photo from David Gow

Sean's in the air - Photo from Sandy Robertson

Aerial action - Photo from Haydn Gleed

Sean celebrates his winning goal - Photo from Haydn Gleed

Jim Lauchlan celebrates with the travelling fans - Photo from Haydn Gleed


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