Morton Seniors v Dumbarton 5 November 2017, Notre Dame HS.
The penultimate match of our senior teams first season in the SWFL Division 2 – West, turned out to be a landmark with Laura Williamson’s team lifting silverware.
Going into Sundays match Morton were five points clear with two to play. Opponents Dumbarton had to take all three points and hope Morton dropped points away to bottom side Pollock United in the season’s last round of fixtures.
Morton kicked off in a 4-3-2-1 shape which allowed wide players Laura Darroch and Jacqui Seagrave the opportunity to press the Dumbarton back four as often as possible alongside striker Rachael McConnachie.
The first half was dominated by Morton and the opening goal came in the thirteenth minute.
Excellent play from Haggerty in central midfield was followed by a one touch pass round the corner by Darroch allowing McConnachie to get a shot on target which was well saved by Dumbarton’s goalkeeper. Rachael’s shot was followed up by McCall and eventually ended up in the net as the Dumbarton defender attempted to clear.
The second followed soon after as McConnachie picked up a loose ball on the right hand side twenty two yards from goal, a fierce shot couldn’t be held and the ball bounded into an empty net, a dream start for Williamson’s side with Morton leading 2-0 after fifteen minutes.
Dumbarton began to make an impression on the game as Morton goalkeeper Hughes was quick off her line to halt a counter attack.
Thirty five minutes into the first half Jacqui Seagrave collected the ball on the left hand side, her attempted cross come shot found the far corner leaving the Dumbarton goalkeeper with no chance.
Morton took a three nil lead into half time.
Morton started the second half with intent. The impressive Gallacher at left back and Darroch playing right midfield continued to provide excellent deliveries into the Dumbarton penalty area.
The fourth wasn’t far away as Gallacher smashed the right hand post on the half volley from twenty five yards.
On fifty six minutes McConnachie added her second and Morton’s fourth. McCall and Murdoch combined in central midfield with the latter taking a sore one for her efforts before McCall played a threaded pass to McConnachie shooting home at the front post.
McConnachie had chances for a hat-trick heading over from 6 yards and Dumbarton’s goalkeeper getting the better of a one on one.
The fifth was arguably goal of the match. Haggerty played an excellent switching pass to Darroch on the right hand side, cutting inside the full back before passing across the penalty spot to Seagrave who took one touch and curled the ball into the top corner. Once again leaving Dumbarton’s goalkeeper with no chance.
Morton’s sixth was a wonderfully executed free kick from Seagrave to secure her hat-trick.
Dumbarton pulled a an excellent consolation goal back as their number seventeen attacked Morton’s right hand side before slotting home from inside the Morton box into the bottom corner.
The final goal of the game came on the eighty eighth minute as Birch pounced on a goal mouth stramash.
Eleanor’s celebration could be heard from Port Glasgow with the match ending shortly after.
Morton 7-1 Dumbarton.
Overall Morton secured victory and the league title with a perfectly executed team performance.
Dumbarton, to their credit continued to play out from the back and moved the ball left to right very well. Number eighteen at central defence and number seventeen were standouts for the visitors.
The SWFL Division 2 – West trophy was presented to seniors’ captain Kristy McGunnigle by Morton Girls volunteer Leeann McPhail who’s had an enormous influence on many of our players’ journeys.
Senior team head coach and Morton girls project worker Laura Williamson commented: “I am really happy for the girls today, they played some good football and created a lot of chances. As a squad they have worked hard on and off the pitch throughout the season.
“We have one game left to focus and prepare for to finish off the season.”
All at Greenock Morton wish to extend huge congratulations to our senior team and look forward to 2018.