MATCH REPORT: Morton 1-1 Dundee
Morton 1-1 Dundee
McAlister (26); Hemmings (12)
By Ewan Boyle
Despite going down to 10 men after Kyle Jacobs earned himself a second yellow card, the Ton put in a solid performance to ensure that Dundee would not claim the victory at Cappielow as Jim McAlister was able to score the equaliser against his former club.
A first start from Kalvin Orsi and a debut for new signing Sean McGinty saw both men put in a great performance in Morton’s 1-1 draw as they remained four points behind the playoff places in 7th place with their unbeaten league run of 2020 continuing into February.
The opening chance of the game fell to Dundee as Graham Dorrans however the intense defensive work of Morton forced Dorrans to send his effort trickling beyond the post.
A well-worked corner on 9 minutes saw a cross to the back post finding Jack Baird who was able to leap up and header the ball back across goal but the header was unable to find a teammate as the ball went wide.
However, it was shortly after this chance when Dundee were able to take the lead at Cappielow on 12 minutes when a lobbed ball over the top from Christophe Berra found Kane Hemmings who knocked the ball beyond Danny Rogers to give the Dee the lead.
The Ton were unlucky not to equalise on 19 minutes when a great cross into the box found the head of the powerful John Sutton who knocked the ball down to Jim McAlister but the midfielder just could not get control of the ball as Conor Hazard was able to hold onto the ball.
As a bad tackle on Kyle Jacobs just outside the box set up the opportunity for Morton to send an effort towards goal on 26 minutes, Nicky Cadden’s shot deflected off the wall and forced Conor Hazard to palm the ball outwards but not far enough as the waiting Jim McAlister was there to send it home for the equaliser.
But around 10 minutes later on 38 minutes, the Ton had the ball on the net after an outstanding overhead kick by Kalvin Orsi curled around the goalkeeper but to the disappointment of the attacker, the linesman had his flag up for offside.
Morton went close again on 44 minutes when Luca Colville attempted a curled effort from just outside the box which forced Conor Hazard to make a diving save and palm out for a corner.
Shortly after this, Morton had claims of a penalty as it looked like Kalvin Orsi was brought down in the opposition box but Bobby Madden waved away the protests.
As Morton continued to press Dundee for a second goal in the match, the Dark Blues were able to get away with a huge chance for the Ton when a ball into Kalvin Orsi could not be directed towards goal and somehow, despite the ball ricocheting off two Dundee defenders, it trickled narrowly past the post and out for a corner kick.
One of the most talked about moments of the game came on 57 minutes when Bobby Madden issued Kyle Jacobs a second yellow card despite allowing play to continue as many of the Morton players protested this decision but the verdict remained a second yellow for the tireless midfielder.
An effort from Declan McDaid smashed off the post on 59 minutes and bounced back to defender Jordan Forster who couldn’t direct his header towards goal as the ball sailed past the post.
The presence of Sean McGinty at corners was evident throughout the match as a cross into the box on 69 minutes found McGinty who powered above the opposition defence but his header went off target and allowed the goalkeeper to hold onto the ball.
Once again the height of Sean McGinty was put to good use on 75 minutes when a cross to the back post found the centre half who headered the ball back across goal but the header could not find a teammate as the ball was cleared away from danger.
It was a fantastic effort from Morton on 83 minutes when silky winger Aidan Nesbitt sent in cracking ball into the box where Kalvin Orsi was waiting for the header but his effort went narrowly wide of the post with the fans showing their appreciation of the effort.
After a few half chances from Dundee towards the end were dealt with by the Ton, the referee blew his whistle for full time as what could be an important point for Morton was confirmed.
Despite the sending off for Kyle Jacobs potentially giving the Ton a disadvantage in the match, the team were able to deal incredibly well with being a man down and the fans acknowledged this at the end with the players and staff all thanking the fans for their support.
Morton (451)
20. Rogers
2. Tumilty 5. McGinty 30. Baird 16. Strapp
19. Cadden 6. Jacobs 8. McAlister (c) 29. Colville 12. Orsi
21. Sutton
Subs used: 7. Chris Millar (for Cadden, 60), 10. Aidan Nesbitt (for Sutton, 71). 9. Robbie Muirhead (for Orsi, 88)
Subs not used: 15. McGuffie, 1. Ramsbottom, 4. McLean, 11. McHugh
Booked: Jacobs (6, 58)
Dundee (451): Hazard, Kerr, Forster, Berra, McGhee, Dorrans (c), Crankshaw (Elliott, 55), Callachan, Byrne, McDaid, Hemmings
Subs not used: Hamilton, Meekings, Robertson, Anderson, Cameron
Booked: Berra (75), Dorrans (52), Callachan (20),
Referee: Bobby Madden
Attendance: 1,643
⭐️ Star Man: Kalvin Orsi
image: Gary Bradley
