Match Report: Morton U-20s 3-0 Ayr Utd U-20s

Morton Under-20s 3 – 0 Ayr United Under-20s

Scullion (3, 74, 86)

A sublime Jon Scullion hat-trick saw Morton Under-20s topple Development League West leaders Ayr United at Cappielow tonight and replace them at the top of the pile.

The Honest Men came into the match with a perfect record of three wins out of three as well as scoring 16 times without reply.

But Scullion took just three minutes to spoil their unblemished record when he controlled Alex McWaters’ prodded pass and drilled a daisy-cutter inside the right-hand post from just inside the box.

Thomas Orr passed up reasonable chances to extend the lead either side of half-time following excellent deliveries from either flank from Scott Tiffoney and Scullion.

At the other end, the hosts survived a real scare when Michael Wardrope sent over a corner that Andy O’Connell headed back over Derek Gaston and against the face of the bar before it was hacked clear.

Gaston then denied O’Connell himself in unorthodox fashion on 57 minutes, blocking the striker’s fierce angled drive from close range with his chest.

Ton were the team on top when Scullion put the result beyond any realistic doubt on 74 minutes by coolly rolling a measured finish past Jordan Hart at his left after Ben Armour had prodded the ball into his path.

Substitute Armour was the creator again four minutes from time when he robbed an Ayr defender and burst down the left and picked out Scullion all alone in front of goal.

The diminutive frontman was never hurried and in total control as he refused to pull the trigger right away and instead breezed around two challenges inside the box and rifled a left-footed shot past the man on the line.

It was a moment of sheer class and one well worthy of tying up the treble that would send his side to the top of table and extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

Morton (442)

1. Gaston
2. Hynes 5. Mitchell 6. Tennent 3. Strapp
10. Tiffoney 8. Langan (c) 4. Murdoch 7. McWaters
15. Orr 11. Scullion

Subs used: 15. Armour (for Orr, 71), 12. Purdue (for McWaters, 85), and 17. Docherty (for Scullion, 89).

Subs not used: 9. Anderson, 16. Eardley, 18. Duffy, 20. McGowan (gk).

Referee: Calum Haswell

Image: Gary Bradley