MONTROSE 0 MORTON 0
Morton win 4-2 on penalties
Morton manager Gus Macpherson expressed his delight after the game that his young side had competed throughout and made it through to the next round.
He said: “Both goalkeepers had really good saves and it was end-to-end stuff.”
“We went with three up front and they went with three at the back, so both teams signalled their intent. It was very, very open and we’re glad to get through.”
“We’re always respectful to whoever we play, regardless of which division they are in and they are a good team.”
“I don’t think there are many teams in Scotland who will promote young players as we have in the last five months.”
From Montrose’s point of view, assistant manager Ross Campbell was disappointed with the result.
He said: “It was fairly even but there were enough chances, particularly one at the end, so that’s what’s disappointing.
“Penalties are such that we don’t focus too much on them because people are brave enough to take them.”
This SPFL Trust Trophy match was certainly a tough game, with neither side ever really dominating.
After seven minutes Ton’s Thomas Allan shot into the side net from a good position on the left of the Montrose box.
And two minutes later a shot from Mark Russell was saved by Gable Endies keeper Aaron Lennox.
Just minutes later Christian Antoniazzi of Montrose had his shot saved after Craig Johnston had broken clear on the right.
In 38 minutes Kerr Waddell fired over for Montrose from the edge of the six-yard box and two minutes later Blair Lyons went down in the visitors’ box only to be booked for simulation by referee Lloyd Wilson.
With 55 minutes on the clock Jimmy Knowles of Morton had the ball in the net but the linesman had his flag up for offside. It looked like a close call.
After 71 minutes Allan was hoping to break the deadlock but his shot was saved by Lennox. And, as the prospect of penalties loomed, both sides strived to get the all-important goal, with Cameron Blues of Morton and Craig Johnston of Montrose both going close in added time.
With neither side able to find the net in regulation time it was on to penalties. Knowles, Reilly, Blues and Oliver all scored for Morton while only Whatley and Milne managed to do the needful for Montrose.