MATCH REPORT: Dundee 2-1 Morton
Dundee 2-1 Morton
Hemmings (63), Ness (80); Salkeld (64)
by Ewan Boyle
A valiant effort against Dundee was not enough for Morton to secure a point away from home as Dundee ran out 2-1 winners against the Ton side with Jamie Ness’s goal in the last 10 minutes proving the difference.
This means that the Ton remain without a point on the road this season with a trip to Partick Thistle next up on the cards for the Sinclair Street side.
It was a mere 5 minutes into the game where Dundee had the first real chance when Peter Grant had an important block to deny the hosts of a big opportunity to take the lead as the centre half did well to stop the threat when he pulled off a great slide tackle just as the shot was about to occur.
Robbie Muirhead almost scored on the break away on 11 minutes when the counter from Morton proved no danger to Dundee as Muirhead powered through on goal but his shot from the left side of the box wasn’t threatening enough and went out for a goal kick.
An unforgettable goal nearly occurred on 13 minutes as Jack Baird almost knocked the ball into his own net as a low driven cross into the box from Dundee was attempted to be cleared but a mishit from Baird went just over the bar and out for a corner much to the defender’s relief.
The Ton had their first big chance of the game on 21 minutes when Cameron Salkeld skilfully skipped by Sean Mackie and sent a pass into Bob McHugh who got in front of the defender first but couldn’t direct the ball towards goal.
Graham Dorrans nearly put Dundee ahead in the game on 41 minutes when the ball broke to the midfielder at the edge of the box from a corner but the veteran’s effort missed the post by inches.
Sam Ramsbottom pulled off an important save on 54 minutes as Declan McDaid got on the end off a great pass from Graham Dorrans and attempted a shot on goal which Ramsbottom was able to get down to and save however the ball deflected back out to McDaid but the former Ton winger could not find the net.
The deadlock was broken on 62 minutes as a great cross from Graham Dorrans was met by the head of Kane Hemmings who knocked the ball into the net and sent the home side ahead.
It was a rapid response from the Ton as under two minutes later, Morton got the equaliser on 64 minutes when a sensational ball from Robbie Muirhead was able to fly to the back post where Cameron Salkeld cheekily flicked the ball in from a tight angle.
Bob McHugh nearly continued his goal-scoring antics on 71 minutes when he attempted a half volley over Dundee goalkeeper Conor Hazard but the ball went onto the roof of the net as both team continued to hunt for a winner.
The home side would be the ones to get the winner on 80 minutes when a great pass through from Graham Dorrans set up Jamie Ness who curled the ball into the net from close range to give Dundee the lead.
Dundee nearly scored their third goal of the game on 90 minutes when a run from Kane Hemmings forced Sam Ramsbottom to come way off his line but Hemmings was unable to score from a tight angle after dribbling the ball around the Ton shot stopper.
Morton (433)
1. Ramsbottom
3. Welsh 30. Baird 5. Grant 16. Strapp
6. Jacobs 7. Millar 8. McAlister (c)
14. Salkeld 11. McHugh 9. Muirhead
Subs used: 21. Sutton (for McHugh, 76), 17. Lyon (for Millar, 83), 10. Nesbitt (for McAlister, 89)
Subs not used: McLean, Blues, Rogers, King
Booked: Muirhead (50)
Dundee (4411): Hazard, Kerr, McGhee, Forster, Marshall (Mackie, 16), Byrne, Dorrans, McDaid, McGowan (Ness, 75), Nelson (Johnson, 68), Hemmings
Subs not used: Meekings, Ferrie, McPake, Robertson
Referee: Greg Aitken
Attendance: 4,228
⭐️ Star Man: Cameron Salkeld
Image: www.davidyoungphoto.co.uk
