MATCH REPORT | Queen of the South 1-0 Morton
Queen of the South 1-0 Morton
El Bakhatoui (16)
By Ewan Boyle
It was not to be on Saturday for Morton as they fell short to a 1-0 defeat away to Queen of the South after a courageous second half effort.
A crowd of 1,302 witnessed a sensational performance from former Ton shot stopper Robby McCrorie as his sublime saves meant Morton would not score in the game at Palmerston Park.
The game began in a lively fashion with El Bakhatoui having the first effort on goal on 8 minutes which was blocked by Lewis Strapp and sent out for a corner after a great tackle from the young Ton defender.
Nicky Cadden went on a typical mazy run on 11 minutes as he skipped by a Queen’s defender and sent a shot hurtling over the bar.
But it was The Doonhamers who would break the deadlock on 17 minutes as El Bakhtaoui’s shot at the edge of the box trickled past Danny Rogers and gave the home team the lead at Palmerston.
The Ton almost gave an instant response to the goal on 20 minutes as Kyle Jacobs dribbled past Kevin Holt and saw his curled effort from the right side of the box just miss the post and go out for a goal kick.
Bob McHugh almost continued his goal scoring antics on 26 minutes as Luca Colville sent an audacious cross into the box which was met by McHugh who had sneaked in front of the defender but couldn’t find the net.
In the second half it was Morton who looked to be in more control as an early chance on 48 minutes saw Nicky Cadden dribble into the box and rifle an effort towards goal but the ball smashed off the side netting and the hunt for a goal continued.
A great save from Robby McCrorie denied Nicky Cadden’s effort on 70 minutes as Cadden found space for himself at the left side of the box around 18 yards out but his shot was palmed away from the danger area.
Stephen Dobbie almost doubled the Queens lead on 73 minutes as he was able to have a free header in the Morton penalty area but thankfully for Morton, he could not direct the ball towards goal.
Robby McCrorie continued his man of the match performance on 82 minutes as he pulled off a miraculous save to deny Nicky Cadden’s free kick which looked to have been heading into the top bag.
But the continued pressure of Morton proved to be worthless as the final whistle was blown and Morton could not get the goal they needed to get which would allow them to get what would have been a deserved point in the game.
Morton (451)
22. Rogers
6. Jacobs 3. Welsh 30. Baird 16. Strapp
17. Lyon 29. Colville 8. McAlister (c) 7. Millar 19. Cadden
11. McHugh
Subs used: 21. John Sutton (for McHugh, 64), 14. Cameron Salkeld (for Millar, 65), 4. Brian McLean (for Strapp, 76)
Subs not used:1. Ramsbottom, 5. Grant, 18. Blues, 28. Livingstone.
Booked: Cadden (38), Welsh (75), Salkeld (90)
Queen of the South (442): McCrorie, Mercer, Brownlie, Kilday, Holt, Murray (Paton, 66), Pybus, Kidd, Oliver (Hamilton, 78), Dobbie (Lyon, 86), El Bakhtoui
Subs not used: McCarthy, Leighfield, Irving
Referee: John Beaton
Attendance: 1,302 (198 away fans)
⭐️ Star Man: Luca Colville
