Match Report: Airdrie U-20s 1-5 Morton U-20s

Airdrie Under-20s 1 – 5 Morton Under-20s

     Allan (4) – Docherty (9, 63), Eardley (14), Tiffoney (68 pen, 79)

 

Morton Under-20s got back to winning ways with a five-star display against Airdrieonians at the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility in Motherwell this afternoon.

Doubles from Blair Docherty and Scott Tiffoney and a solitary Ben Eardley strike saw Darren Barr’s side come back from behind to end a run of three matches without victory in emphatic fashion.

The Ton found themselves trailing inside four minutes when Diamonds striker Jordan Allan tore clear down the left wing and angled in on goal, slotting past Jamie McGowan from a narrow angle.

But they were soon back on level terms, Blair Docherty bursting through the middle and lobbing goalkeeper Matthew Kerr with a crisp left-footed connection after Tiffoney had picked out his incisive run with a sharp pass.

Academy graduate Alexander Easdale was making his first start for the 20s, and it was from his positive approach play that the visitors would edge in front on 14 minutes.

Tenacious midfielder Eardley, currently combining his development squad duties with a stint on loan at Greenock Juniors, strode on to the striker’s lay-off and rifled a superb low drive into the bottom-left corner.

The Ton surived a couple of close shaves in the remaining half hour as the impressive McGowan produced two fine saves to keep Airdrie out before Ruaridh Langan smashed against his own post.

There was nothing fortunate about the second half, though, as the Ton teenagers went on to add three more goals after the break as they cruised to a comfortable victory.

On what was a memorable day for the Docherty household, Largs lad Blair was joined on the pitch by younger brother Ben – a current Under-17s player in the club’s academy – following an injury to Nathan Durham.

Family pride was boosted further on 63 minutes when Blair scored his second of the afternoon by applying the finishing touch with a firm volley after Tiffoney had flicked past a defender on the edge of the box.

Not content with his two assists, Tiffoney got in on the act five minutes later by sending Diamonds shot-stopper Kerr the wrong way with a cool penalty that he himself won after his cross was blocked by an arm.

Tiffoney rounded off the win in style 11 minutes from time. Collecting a McGowan goal-kick just inside the opposition half, he turned and drove at the home defence before firing a stunning strike into the top-left corner.

 

Morton (4411)

1. McGowan
2. Hynes 4. Langan (c) 5. Durham 3. Hayes
7. Blair Docherty 8. Lyon 6. Eardley 11. Tiffoney
10. Easdale
9. Armour

Subs used: 15. Ben Docherty (for Durham, 52), 12. Duffy (for Blair Docherty, 65), and 14. McGrattan (for Easdale, 70).

Subs not used: 20. Carracher

 

Images: John Steven