Kids

retired_marcias · 02-15-2004, 02:37 PM

BarryLFC · 02-15-2004, 02:56 PM

1.

After a successful pre-season where a Hearts XI came to Cappielow and lost 2-0, and we won 1-0 at Hampden against Queen's Park came the first competitive game at home to East Stirling, who put up little challenge in a 3-0 win, courtesy of a Kristjánsson hat-trick.

The stage was set for the visit of Airdrie United in the first league game of the silent revolution. I opted to go for a back 4, one defensive midfielder, three strung across the park ahead of him and two forwards:

Goalkeeper: Craig Coyle

Right back: Stephen Lynch Class of 04
Left back: Paul Gaughan
Centre back: Derek Collins (c) Class of 87
Centre back: Stewart Greacen

Defensive midfield: Craig McGowan Class of 04
Right midfield: Brian Byrne Class of 04
Left midfield: Neil Rankin Class of 03
Centre midfield: Andy Hamilton Class of 04

Forward: þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson
Forward: Jim McAllister Class of 03

We didn't know what to expect. Airdrie had been promoted in our wake, but we had let most of the title winning squad go, our fans were wary and Airdrie had strengthened in the summer. We needn't have worrie though as fifteen year old Andy Hamilton scored twice in the first four minutes. The game was over when Jim McAllister, who scored four goals in seven games at the tail end of last season before being bizarrely named Second Division Player of the Year due to my selling the leading contenders, made it three after fourteen minutes, and the floodgates opened. McAllister then Kristjánson netted before the interval to make it five, and second half goals from those two, and a penalty from fifteen year old Brian Byrne made the final score eight to none.

Morton 8-0 Airdrie United

Player Ratings

BarryLFC · 02-15-2004, 03:40 PM

2.

X of the same XI, Kristjánsson missing out through injury, replaced by 15 year old Brian Johnstone, ground out a from-behind 2-1 win at Gretna in the second round of the Challenge Cup, the two 15 year olds, Byrne and Hamilton, netting in that one. We had little hope of picking up points at St Johnstone when we looked at the fixtures before the season began, but after beating Airdrie so well confidewnce was higher that it otherwise would have been. In the event goals from McAllister and Hamilton made it a comfortable 2-0 win, and expectations were in the rise.

Millar made a £12,000 move to Plymouth as the transfer window drew to a close, but there was bad news also as a fractured jaw looked set to keep McAllister out of the next two games. Fortunately Kristjánsson was fit enough to return, and he came closest in a 0-0 draw at home to Ayr as he hit the bar from a free kick on the hour mark.

The same team that failed to break Ayr down came flying out of the blocks up at Dingwall in our Challenge Cup semi final, and a double from 15 year old Brian Johnstone had us clear and away. Second half goals from Jim Hamilton, and then a wonder strike from Blair Lawrie in injury time though sent the tie to extra time. County then had the momentum going into the extra period, and Conor Gethins gave them the lead after 101 minutes. When the same player made it 4-2 after 107 the comeback was complete, and our Challenge Cup run was over for this season. We weren't invincible after all.

retired_marcias · 02-15-2004, 03:44 PM

:cool:

BarryLFC · 02-15-2004, 04:05 PM

3.

Dean Keenan hadn't played yet this season, but news that he would require surgery on a hamstring problem and miss four months of action was a major blow. Not in terms of being able to put a team on the field, but because of the tight-knit feeling in the squad, and each player shared in Dean's bad news. Nonetheless I went with the same guys who had failed to beat Ayr or Ross County at Falkirk, and the poor form looked set to continue as Ian MacSween put the Bairns ahead, and it went from bad to worse before half time as we lost Andy Hamilton to injury forcing a slight reshuffle as John Johnston came on to play right wing with Byrne switching inside to cover Hamilton's role. MacSween though sealed the points for the home team after the break, and we were left longing for the return of McAllister, as if that would magically resolve all our flaws. Craig McGowan got his first goal for the club with a 70-yard punted clearance that deceived everyone before dropping into the net, but it was scant consolation for a poor all around performance. Hamilton was not badly injured, and wouldn't even miss training on Monday. Neil Rankin though broke his wrist and would be out for three weeks. It never rains but it pours.

Gary Fraser, a right sided forward no less, stepped in on the left for the League Cup tie at home to SPL side Partick Thistle, but we held up little hope of a revival starting here. Kristjánsson and Hamilton had other ideas though and each had scored before fifteen minutes had elapsed as we took the game to our more glamourous rivals. The second half saw the trend continue as Kristjánsson came close early on, and club captain Derek Collins made it three with fifteen minutes left. It was a lead we never looked like surrendering, and we had made it through to Round Two and a trip to Kilmarnock. The gas masks were on order.

BarryLFC · 02-15-2004, 05:28 PM

4.

McAllister returned as we entertained Brechin, and played well in a 2-0 win, with goals coming from Greacen and Dougie Wilson from the bench, and I realised that my season's preparations were lacking, and my so-called SPL victims Partick had been relegated last season and are a fellow First Division club. Jim McAllister roared back to goalscoring form in Dumfries as Queen of the South struggled to deal with his finishing ability. He had us 2-0 up before Kristjansson's 15th minute effort made it 3-0. Within five minutes it was 3-1 though as Queens regrouped. Dougie Wilson was thrown on before the break as Brian Byrne retired hurt, and Coyle was forced into a great save moments later as the Doonhamers knocked on the door once again. In the second half Queens kept going, and with 23 minutes to go they made it 3-2. Coyle kept us ahead seconds later with a fine save, but from the resulting corner Queens drew level. Just as it looked like we were going to lose to a big comeback again Kristjánsson picked up on a clearance and beat the keeper from 20 yards, restoring our lead, and not long after that Derek Collins headed home a free kick for 5-3. Almost immediately the home side got one back, but Wilson netted a sixth Morton goal to ease the nerves. Not that that was an end to it as both sides went close in the remaining time, but when the dust settled it had ended Queen of the South four, Morton six.

And so there was a little trepidation heading to Killie as to the state of our defence. Yes, we'd held firm in the end and won the game, but four goals lost is never something to crow about. For half an hour at Rugby Park, Killie peppered our goal with shots, but we fought our way into the game, and the returning Neil Rankin on the left was impressive as Kristjánsson and Byrne went close from his deliveries before Hamilton forced Dubourdeau into a good save just before half time. Our hopes collapsed though on 69 minutes as Gary McDonald fired Killie ahead, and though we kept on huffing and puffing, we were beaten. Or so I thought - ye of little faith! Andy Hamilton headed an 83rd minute leveller from a Byrne cross and we were alive once more. We'd suffered one extra time heartbreaker this season up at Dingwall, but this time we had the momentum, and Kristjánsson came close a couple of times in the first extra period. In the second though Killie looked to take control, and James Fowler came close from a narrow angle. With time expiring the home side had one last chance, but they couldn't take it, and the game went to kicks from the penalty mark. Quite simply the pressure was all on Killie, in front of their baying support, such as it was, they were playing a team of almost entirely teenagers who had nothing to lose. McGuiness netted their first, and McAllister did likewise for us. James Fowler was next up, but Craig Coyle repelled his effort and we were firmly in the driving seat as Dougie Wilson, a late sub, stepped up. He scored, and Scott Johnstone for Killie struck the post, meaning that Kristjánsson had the chance to put the result almost beyond doubt. His effort crept past the keeper and we led 3-1 after three kicks a side. Kris Boyd had to score for Killie, and his powerful effort went straight down the middle, beating Coyle. Rankin though could win it for us, but a despairing dive from Dubourdeau was just enough, and Killie were alive. Not for much longer! As Paul McGlinchey's effort squeezed wide of the post he sunk to his knees and the Morton party began. This time we did have an SPL scalp, and we had set up a Third Round date with Hibs at Cappielow.

Jim McAllister completed his comeback from injury by picking up the Bell's First Division Player of the Month Award for September, whilst Andy Hamilton picked up the Young Player award. Ayr's Campbell Money was manager of the month having led the Honest Men to first place in the division. The season was picking up pace already.

BarryLFC · 02-15-2004, 07:00 PM

5.

The comedown was evident immediately as we failed to break down Partick Thistle at Cappielow in a 0-0 draw. It seems Brian Byrne is not really ready for football at this level, or at least needs a rest, so Dougie Wilson will step in for the next few games at least. That decision was repaid after half an hour at Dingwall as we gained revenge on County for our Challenge Cup exit, Wilson stroking home what at that stage was our third goal after Hamilton and an own goal opened a gap. Kristjánsson made it four in the second half before one back for the home side made the final score 4-1. Vengeance was ours.

We lost Rankin to injury early in the 1-1 draw at Raith, and needed an equaliser from McAllister to avoid a bad defeat. Relegation now is not even in our thoughts, we're looking to survive comfortably, and challenge at the top as long as our young legs will carry us.

BarryLFC · 02-16-2004, 08:46 PM

6.

Airdrie were out for revenge after our 8-0 win at Cappielow on the opening day, but we scored twice in first half stoppage time to go 3-0 ahead, and the scoreless second half finished them. We were in fine fettle going in to the CIS Cup game with Hibs, who disrespected us somewhat by fielding a weakened team, and boy did we ever take them to task.

Jim McAllister's 24th minute strike saw us ahead at the interval, but within ten minutes of the restart it was 4-0 as a Kristjánsson double and a goal from Hamilton made it clear that we were going to the Quarter Finals. A McAllister penalty made it a rout, and Greacen headed home a sixth to wrap it up with 26 minutes still to play. Hibs were shellshocked, and we were through to face Raith at Stark's in the next round.

There followed a disappointing run as we lost at home to St Johnstone and Falkirk, and away at Ayr and Brechin, after losing Kristjánsson somwhere in the middle there, and with Greacen moving to Wigan in a £150,000 deal. Still we snapped out of it with a 4-1 win at home to Queen of the South, Brian Johnstone netting a hat-trick, and Jim McAllister with the other. We were not in the best of form, but we felt we could take Raith in the cup.