Morton 3
Dundee Utd 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Morton were well worth the lead they achieved in the 12th minute, even if it came from a bizarre Andy Ritchie effort. He worked a clever 1-2 with Jimmy Miller and from a position inside the 18 yard line, close to the bye-line, sent over what he described later as a 'cross-shot' which dipped over McAlpine and into the net. Understandably, it took United some time to regain consciousness, but they did come back with one beautiful move which ended with Hegarty heading past Connaghan. Unfortunately for them, the goal was disallowed because of offside.

The recovery of equilibrium was only temporary as United demonstrated three minutes after the interval. McAlpine and Hegarty played all too casually with a pass back, and when Scott intercepted, the goalkeeper brought him down. Andy Ritchie casually popped in the penalty kick. United manager, Jim McLean, then swopped his men around with such abandon that it was difficult to find a player in the position in which he started. The changes, which included pushing Hegarty into the striking role, did produce more aggression and when Addison smacked in a goal in 65 minuted a fighting finish looked on. 16 minutes from time Andy Ritchie produced his piece de resistance. Accpeting a 'knock on', about 35 yards out, he had a hasty look at Hamish McAlpine rushing out towards him. The Greenock man then hit a perfect wedge shot all the way over the 'keeper and into the empty goal. The contest was over, although the Morton crowd were upset when the ref cancelled out a fourth goal for Ritchie, apparently because he was offside. They recovered in plenty of time to give their hero a standing ovation as he left the field.