Match Report

Former Morton striker Peter Weatherson scored the only goal of the game against his old club as Annan caused a major upset in the first round of this seasons Ramsdens Cup.  It was an enthralling cup tie played at pace which had the fans of both teams on tender hooks right up to the final whistle.

Morton started brightly and Joseph McKee came close in the 11^th minute with a crisp shot and minutes later the same player finished off a well constructed move as Annan were exposed down the right flank but the final shot flashed past the upright.

It was a let off for Annan but in the 17^th minute Morton had keeper Nicolas Caraux to thank when he pulled off a brilliant save to deny David Hopkirk who was clean through on goal. It was a warning for Morton and within a minute Hopkirk once again was released only to be ruled offside. With 20 minutes on the clock Morton broke up a promising Annan attack leaving Annan exposed at the back and once again McKee could only watch as his shot failed to hit the target.  Kabba Modau Cham came close in the 21^st minute. Alex Mitchell needed 2 attempts do deal with an Imrie effort in the 38^th minute and as the game approached half time Imrie was booked for diving from a  tackle by Ally Love. Kabba-Modou Cham had an opportunity to put Morton into the lead at the start of the second half but the Gambian fired wide with only Alex Mitchell to beat.  At the other end Kenny MacKay’s pace caused alarm in the Morton defence and his shot under pressure tested Caraux.

The game was action packed and at the other end Morton were denied when Weatherson cleared off the goal line, the Annan goal survived a charmed life as Morton piled on the pressure.  Hopkirk once again tested the Morton keeper Nicolas Caraux in the 60^th minute. Morton had a real let off when Iain Chisholm broke down an attack and the penetrating run down the right culminated in a pass to Ally Love who finshed with a tap in at the back post but the goal was chalked offside. The defining moment in the match arrived in the 71^st minute when Morton conceded a free kick on the edge of the box and Peter Weatherson bent a superb free kick beyond Caraux and the ball struck the base of the post and into the net to give Annan the upper hand. Allan Moore made changes bringing on Wallace and Fulton at the expense of O’Brien and Cham  in an effort to claw back Annan’s advantage. Mitchell however was proving a last line of defence that was difficult to penetrate and the Annan keeper pulled off a couple of stunning saves to deny Campbell and McKee.  Annan substitute Scott Davidson  a great opportunity to put the game to bed in the dying minutes when he shot past the post after being released clean through on goal.

Annan boss Jim Chapman commented it was tough pre season we worked really hard identified areas that needed improving and got it right today, the players have set the standards and today it was a good standard  that is what we expect , everybody played their part, there is a good team spirit , if they drop this work ethic and  standards I wont accept it. Morton had a lot more chances but it was all ricochets in the box, Alex Mitchell had a couple of great saves but we had the clearer chances.

Morton boss Allan Moore tore into his players and said: “It’s a disaster. We’d been working on shooting all week and we turn up here and only one hits the target. Players need to have a good look in the mirror. I won’t make any excuses for them.”