Match Report | Morton 0-2 Ayr United

Morton 0-2 Ayr United
Smith (55, 87)

Morton suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Ayr United at Cappielow on Saturday in the Scottish Championship.

Interim manager Anton McElhone opted to keep the same starting eleven that played in the previous fixtures against Dundee and Hearts with the only change from the bench being Chris Millar replacing the injured Kalvin Orsi.

In a goalless and frustrating first half, Cameron Salkeld had his early effort towards goal flagged for offside as the forward’s clear cut chance was parried by Vilijami Sinisalo.

Aidan McAdams was forced to make an important save to deny Tom Walsh on 45 minutes after the midfielder executed a ferocious volley outside of the box that the ‘Ton shot stopper pushed clear and out of the danger area.

The Sinclair Street side never really looked like breaking the deadlock after the interval and conceded two goals in the second half after a brace from Cammy Smith.

A corner kick on 55 minutes leaped over to the back post to Jack Baird who knocked it back across goal to the unopposed Smith to tap in from a few yards out.

Greenock gaffer McElhone decided to adapt a more attacking formation heading into the final twenty minutes and brought on both Kazaiah Sterling and Justin Johnson as his side continued to hunt for that most important goal.

Local lad Luke McCowan nearly doubled the Honest Men’s lead on 78 minutes with an effort just outside the penalty area that McAdams saved and cleared for a corner kick.

McAdams denied Walsh for a second time on 80 minutes with a truly exceptional block. The midfielder collected the ball on the left and, on the bounce, struck a lethal effort which prompted McAdams to make a one handed save to his right.

A massive chance went begging for Morton on 83 minutes after Kazaiah Sterling worked a nice move with Kyle Jacobs to knock the ball to the feet of Aidan Nesbitt who’s effort, despite being perfectly timed, fizzed wide of the post and out for a goal kick.

The sucker punch was provided on 87 minutes after a quick counter attack saw the experienced Michael Moffat manage to keep the ball from going out of play and run the entire length of the half before exchanging a one-two with McCowan and slotting in Smith to net his second of the game.

The ‘Ton now turn their attentions to the crucial double header against Inverness tomorrow night and Dunfermline on Saturday.

Morton (4-2-3-1)
McAdams
Ledger McLean McGinty Strapp
Blues Jacobs
McGuffie Nesbitt Colville
Salkeld

Subs used: 9. Robbie Muirhead (for Lewis Strapp, 50), 30. Justin Johnson (for Craig McGuffie, 65), 23. Kazaiah Sterling (for Luca Colville, 65)

Unused Subs: Fjørtoft, Millar, Oliver, Lyon

Ayr United: Sinisalo, Houston (Miller, 69), Baird, Muirhead, Reading, Murdoch, Ndaba, Walsh (Chalmers, 90), Smith, McCowan, McKenzie (Moffat, 73)

Unused Subs: Kerr, Walcott, Legzdins, Afolabi 

Booked: Muirhead (27), Reading (71)

Referee: Mike Roncone

⭐️ Star Man: Kyle Jacobs

Image: Gary Bradley