Greenock Morton 2 – 2 Arbroath
Arbroath assistant Manager Ian Campbell spoke to the media after his side came back for a deserved point against Greenock Morton.
Colin Hamilton and Michael McKenna were the goal scorers today as Arbroath fought back to earn a draw at Cappielow.
Rocked with the news that striker Joel Nouble was out with a slight shoulder injury added to the existing ankle injury which will keep Nicky Low out for a few weeks yet, it was a real test for Arbroath who travelled to Cappielow 6 matches undefeated.
James Craigen moved into the middle of the pitch to replace Low, whilst Dale Hilson and Luke Donnelly came on the wing and up front.
The rain was lashing down at Cappielow and with a heavy pitch both sides really struggled to carve out a good chance but James Craigen came close with a rasping 20 yard drive in the 22nd minute but it was well saved by Jack Hamilton.
At the other end Oisin McEntree forced Derek Gaston into making another outstanding one handed save from a close range header.
Arbroath started to see more of the ball and a nice move started by Dale Hilson seen a McKenna shot blocked in the 35th minute.
The goal did come for the Lichties in the 43rd minute. A free kick from the left wing was floated in by McKenna and Colin Hamilton won the header finding the top corner of the net. Perhaps the first professional goal Colin has scored against his brother Jack?
Liam Henderson came close just minutes after with a header as the first half came to and end.
HT – Greenock Morton 0 – 1 Arbroath
Half Time Match Stats
Possession – Greenock Morton 54% – 46% Arbroath
Total Shots – Greenock Morton 1 – 5 Arbroath
On Target – Greenock Morton 1 – 2 Arbroath
Off Target – Greenock Morton 0 – 1 Arbroath
Blocked – Greenock Morton 0 – 2 Arbroath
Corners – Greenock Morton 2 – 2 Arbroath
Fouls Committed – Greenock Morton 4 – 5 Arbroath
Morton wasted no time in getting back on level terms as Gary Oliver found the back of the net just 2 minutes into the second half.
Luke Donnelly almost replied straight away but his shot from a McKenna cross was just over the cross bar.
Cameron Blues doubled Morton’s lead and it was just the 5th goal Arbroath had conceded all season in the 55th minute in a break away move which was set up by Jaako Oksanen.
The game soon started to go from end to end, but it wasn’t a classic and 2-3 minute spell of Morton throw ins down the touchline next to the dugout won’t ever make the highlights package.
Arbroath did rally and Scott Stewart hit a shot wide, before Gary Oliver had a shot at the other end seconds later.
Michael McKenna had another shot blocked after some nice work down the byline by Donnelly.
Jason Thomson, Bobby Linn and Anton Dowds all entered the field in the 73rd minute as Dale Hilson, Luke Donnelly and Chris Hamilton made way.
With just 4 minutes to go Arbroath won a corner kick and as the ball was swung in Colin Hamilton was caught in the face by McEntee and Referee Craig Napier pointed to the spot.
With bloody coming from his nose there was a stoppage in play but as play resumed McKenna showed nerves of steel to perfectly place the penalty to make it 2-2 and net his 7th goal of the season!
Gavin Reilly hit a thunderous shot in the 93rd minute which forced Derek Gaston into another outstanding save.
Full time – Greenock Morton 2 – 2 Arbroath
Full Time Match Stats
Possession – Greenock Morton 55% – 45% Arbroath
Total Shots – Greenock Morton 5 – 11 Arbroath
On Target – Greenock Morton 4 – 3 Arbroath
Off Target – Greenock Morton 1 – 4 Arbroath
Blocked – Greenock Morton 0 – 4 Arbroath
Corners – Greenock Morton 5 – 7 Arbroath
Fouls Committed – Greenock Morton 8 – 11 Arbroath
A hard earned point, but a deserved one and it keeps the momentum going as Arbroath make it 7 games undefeated!
C’mon the Lichties
Greenock Morton
1 – Jack Hamilton
5 – Oisin McEntee
47 – Alan Lithgow
3 – Lewis Strapp
7 – Gary Oliver
6 – Kyle Jacobs (c)
11 – Gozie Ugwu (Knowles 12)
8 – Cameron Blues
24 – Lewis McGregor (Russell 50)
21 – Jaakko Oksanen
14 – Gavin Reilly
Substitutes
2 – Michael Ledger
10 – Reece Lyon
12 – Jimmy Knowles – 11; 7th
15 – Mark Russell – 24; 50th
16 – Darren Hynes
17 – Lewis McGrattan
22 – Tom Allan
Goals – Oliver 47, Blues 55
Yellow Cards – McEntee 87, Oliver 88
Arbroath
1 – Derek Gaston
18 – Chris Hamilton (Thomson 73)
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Ricky Little
5 – Thomas O’Brien (c)
9 – Dale Hilson (Linn 73)
12 – Scott Stewart
8 – Michael McKenna
22 – Liam Henderson
15 – Luke Donnelly (Dowds 73)
28 – James Craigen
Substitutes
2 – Jason Thomson – 18; 73rd
10 – Gavin Swankie
11 – Bobby Linn – 9; 73rd
14 – Dylan Paterson
16 – Harrison Clark
19 – Anton Dowds – 15; 73rd
21 – Calum Antell (GK)
Goals – Hamilton 43, McKenna 87 pen
Yellow Card – Stewart 89
Attendance – 1126
Officials;
Referee – Craig Napier
Assistant Referee 1 – Drew Kirkland
Assistant Referee 2 – Jonathan Bell
