MOFFAT ‘BUZZING’ AFTER FIRING HIS SIDE TO VICTORY AGAINST MORTON
Loan star opens account for Dunfermline as his brace
Greenock Morton .............. 1 Dunfermline Athletic .......... 2
OWEN MOFFAT said he was “buzzing” after opening his goalscoring account for the Pars with a sparkling double got them back to winning ways.
The on-loan Blackpool winger provided the fireworks ahead of bonfire night on Friday with a superb brace inside the first seven minutes that proved decisive at Greenock Morton.
James McPake’s side, who had lost three games on the spin, started with a bang when Moffat smashed home after just 21 SECONDS at Cappielow, before his pin-point drive from range put them in complete command after an unbelievable start.
They had chances to score a third and make sure of the points, but they ended up enduring end to proceedings when Steven Boyd’s 78th minute spot-kick gave Dougie Imrie’s bottom side hope.
Dunfermline, though, saw it out to finally record a win at Cappielow, after 10 previous unsuccessful visits, and former Celtic youngster Moffat was overjoyed to score his first goals at senior level outwith the Lowland League.
“I was buzzing. Obviously the first one, I think it was about 20 seconds into the game. It couldn’t really have been a better start for us, then I think it was the next time I got the ball, I put it away. I’m really happy,” he said.
“I think every game we’ve played up until now I’ve had loads of chances and I’ve been struggling to put them away. Last week (in the defeat at Raith Rovers) there was quite a few! I’m happy they went in the goal tonight.”
After two disappointing performances in losing to Partick Thistle and Ayr United, McPake was heartened by an improved display in the derby against Raith, despite a stoppage-time goal condemning them to defeat.
However, it was unlikely he could have foreseen such a magnificent start from his men in front of the BBC Scotland cameras, who made their mark straight from the kick off.
Athletic moved upfield and Alex Jakubiak’s presence caused all sorts of problems for Tyler French.
The Morton player got on to Lewis McCann’s lofted pass first and headed back towards his own goal, where team-mate, Calum Waters, slid in to clear.
The ball, however, fell kindly for Moffat at the edge of the box, and he lashed home a superb first-time effort to give the visitors a dream start.
If that stunned Morton, they were shell-shocked by what followed six minutes later.
Josh Edwards played a pass into the feet of Moffat, who drove towards the penalty area before taking aim and sending a precise drive low into the bottom corner to double Dunfermline’s lead.
McPake’s side remained in complete control for the remainder of the opening period, in which Paul Allan scuffed wide after a magnificent, one-touch passing move set up an opportunity, and Chris Hamilton saw a strong penalty appeal waved away after George Oakley appeared to pull his shirt at the far post.
Former Par, Iain Wilson, was hooked for the hosts just before the half hour mark, and his fury was matched by that of the home crowd, who made their feelings known throughout.
Morton, to their credit, began the second half with greater intent, but McCann forced Jamie MacDonald into a smart stop from a free-kick, before Josh Edwards tested the keeper’s reflexes with a powerful run and shot, and Hamilton sent a diving header wide of the far post with the goal at his mercy.
“Definitely a goal. I should’ve done better with that,” the captain for the night said when asked if he should have scored or had a penalty.
“Penalty? I don’t know, I was just trying to get round the back post, and I felt like he was maybe trying to get in the way of me, and pulled my shirt. Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t, but I’m delighted with the three points, and hopefully we can kick on.”
The Pars had to withstand plenty of second half pressure, with a number of balls being sent into their box, which they did well overall.
Deniz Mehmet produced an outstanding save from an Oakley header, after which his defence somehow prevented the rebound being converted and cleared, but the keeper conceded a spot-kick with 12 minutes to go.
He played a pass, from a freekick, wide looking for Hamilton, but got too much on it and allowed Jack Bearne to pick up.
His cross was too long for Mehmet and Oakley, who both went