LEAGUE CAMPAIGN ENDS AT CAPPIELOW

United finish the regular season with a 1-0 defeat to Morton, but can now look forward to the Play-offs in their quest for the Championship. 

By Ian Isbister

United went into today’s final game of the regular season safe in the knowledge that they will finish 2nd in the Championship and can look forward to the upcoming Play-offs. 

The game took a dramatic twist even before a ball was kicked when it was announced just 90 minutes before kick-off that Greenock Morton Manager Jonatan Johansson and his assistant Peter Houston had left the club. Experienced players Chris Millar and Jim McAlister taking temporary charge of the team. 

Manager Robbie Neilson had stated this week that it was important to keep the players ticking over until the play-offs whilst ensuring that the whole squad would be fit if required to play. Clearly with that in mind, the Gaffer made several changes to the side that beat Falkirk 2-0 at Tannadice last Saturday. Laidlaw made his first start in goal for United with Siegrist taking his place on the bench. Stanton, Chalmers and Seaman all stepped up from the dugout whilst Connolly and Cammy Smith returned to the starting line-up after injury. The Manager clearly was delighted with Logan Chalmers substitute appearance last week, and gave him the chance to shine in time for the play-offs. 

Morton made 3 changes from last week’s victory over Dunfermline Athletic, Millar, McHugh and O’Connell all stepping up from the bench. The Greenock side had lost just once in their last 6 games, with 3 draws and 2 wins. 

First Half - Both sides started brightly but it took until the 8th minute for a clear cut chance. Safranko found himself in space in the centre of Morton’s goal but his header was easily taken by McCrorie.

It was United who was having the better of the chances with both Butcher and Chalmers having shots from just outside the box to no avail. Safranko tried his luck from outside the box on 17 mins but again was unlucky to see his shot blocked. 

Despite United’s domination of chances, it was the home side who took the lead. From a free-kick just outside the box, Tidser’s fine left foot shot found its way past Laidlaw in the United goal to put Morton in front. 

United tried to get back into the game but if was referee Grant Irvine who was the busiest man on the park, dealing with a succession of fouls which stopped the game from flowing. By the half hour mark both sides were relying on long range efforts to make their mark. 

United’s best chance of the first half fell to Sow in the 43rd minute. The striker’s header from the left side of the 6 yard box was just wide, but had Morton’s McCrorie scampering across his goal line. That proved to be the last chance of the first half as the referee blew for half-time with the home side just ahead.

Second Half - The second half kicked off with no changes from either side. With the impending play-offs looming, Manager Robbie Neilson willl no doubt have been keeping an eye on his substitutes bench in the second half to protect some of his players. United started the second half the brighter and were unlucky not to get an equaliser with 1 minute of the re-start. A knockdown header from Sow was met well by Smith whose shot came crashing back off the bar. Next up was Reynolds to try his luck. A Safranko header back across goal was met by Sow. His attempt was blocked and as the ball dropped to Reynolds, the defender’s shot was just over the bar. 

McMullan’s introduction 10 minutes into the second half gave United the expected extra pace. United were now piling the pressure on the Greenock side. Considering the little that United had to play for it was proving to be a spirited performance by the visitors. The usual candidates of Safranko, Sow and McMullan were throwing everything at Morton to give their travelling support something to shout about.

A piece of United history was made in the 67th minute when Chris Mochrie replaced Chalmers. At the grand old age of 16 years and 27 days, Mochrie becomes the youngest ever player to play for United.

Mochrie nearly added another touch of history when his left foot shot was just wide after 76 mins. The youngster showing confidence to take the effort on.

Safranko came close to an equaliser with 10 minutes remaining. From a tight angle on the left hand side of the box he managed to get his shot away only to see it just miss the left hand post. 

It wasn’t all United in the closing stages. Morton went close to doubling their advantage when a Kiltie shot was brilliantly blocked by Connolly. 

In the end, United couldn’t find a way through the resolute Morton defence. Despite the 1-0 defeat, Manager Robbie Neilson will have been happy to see his side finish the game unscathed and seen some of his fringe players get valuable playing time. With a welcome week’s break before the play-offs the team can now prepare and await the outcome of Ayr United and Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the first play-off round. 

Man of the Match - Mark Connolly. The Irishman returned to the squad and put in his usual hard shift with stout defending and some great last ditch tackling. He also would have scored had it not been for a great save by McCrorie.

Greenock Morton - McCrorie (GK), Kilday, Iredale, Buchanan, Millar (C), McHugh, Tidser (McGrattan 90 mins), Tumilty, O’Connell (Telfer 66 mins), Kiltie, Lyon, (Dykes 75 mins),
Subs not used -  McAlister, Haynes, Dallas, Gaston (GK),

Dundee United - Laidlaw, Booth, Sow (Clark 73 mins), Stanton, Safranko, Butcher, C.Smith (McMullan 56 mins), Chalmers(Mochrie 67 mins), Reynolds, Seaman, Connolly,
Subs not used - Siegrist (GK), Bouhenna, Watson, Harkes, 

Referee - Grant Irvine

Bookings - 
Morton - Telfer 85 mins

Attendance - 2,244