BarryLFC

13. <---unlucky for some

Boy do we know how to slump! Defeats at home to Falkirk and Ross County by 1-0 and at Inverness in between by 3-0 were devastating, and though we rallied at Raith from 0-3 to only lose 4-2 we were further stuffed by news that David Davidson had badly torn his groin and would miss six months of action - meaning he'd be lucky to see any further playing time this season. With Johnstone missing and a game against the league leaders imminent, and a four-game loss streak in progress things looked pretty bad.

Paul King returned to partner Gary Fraser for the visit of Brechin, champions-elect even at this stage of the season, but the week was tainted as Derek Collins announced that this would be his last season as a professional footballer. Next season the kids would be home alone. On the park we were resiliant, holding Brechin at bay for the entire first half, but four minutes into the second half Stephen Lynch was caught out by a ball over the top, and Birchall netted for the visitors. Missed tackles were causing us to give up chances, and with ten minutes to go a series of calamities allowed Dene Shields to wrap the game up at 2-0. We never looked like netting so much as a consolation, and although the defeat didn't cost us our fourth place, bunching meant we were just three points out of eighth spot. A worrying prospect indeed.

An audacious bid from Luton to take Lynch on loan in the wake of that defeat was rebuffed, particularly since my coaches report that he is now fully capable of playing left back. Although he hasn't been as good as last season, he has adapted adequately, and can now be considered our left back for the future. Credit to our coaches too for giving him the confidence to become competent in the role. Darlington made a similar loan enquiry about Craig McGowan, and received a similar response - he too is a vital cog in the Morton machine. The draw for the Third Round of the Scottish Cup saw us drawn away to Dunfermline - pretty much the worst possible tie - no glamour, no money, no chance of winning.

Kevin Buchanan picked up yet another injury in training before the trip to Albion Rovers, so Craig Robertson took over the gloves for a game we felt gave us the best possible chance to break our slump before mid-season. One minutes and thirty-five seconds in and our hopes were raised still further as Paul King nodded home a corner, but it took just six minutes for the home side to level, Paul McManus' shot going straight through Robertson. More faffing about in defence allowed Iain Diack to make it 2-1 for the home team after 11 minutes, and we were staring a sixth consecutive defeat in the face. A decidedly offside looking Diack drew a sensational stop from Robertson later in the half, but we made it to half time facing just a one goal defecit. Brian Byrne replaced John Johnston in the second period, but he was not involved as King broke wide left from a Robertson punt, and crossed for Gareth Jones, who had gone inside to take up King's usual position, to head home. It was completely out of the blue, but not at all unwelcome. Robertson's handling looked surer now, perhaps buoyed by his partial assist on the equaliser, and Rovers were finding little joy from long range, but our bandwagon was derailed with 20 minutes to go as Paul King picked up a knock. Young Mark Russell came on for his debut up front, and he played a key role in the build up to Gary Fraser's goal two minutes later, which handed us an unlikely lead. We couldn't hold the lead though, and with seven minutes to go we gave away possession cheaply in a dangerous are, and substitute Kristopher Myles fired home from 20 yards to tie the game at three. Rovers now went looking for the winner, but in injury time an attack broke down, and we broke forward swiftly. One good ball into the middle later and Gary Fraser was applying the finishing touch to a sweeping move that brough us three very, very precious points, and marked our second last-minute comeback winner over Rovers this season.

Mark Russell set a record as the youngest-ever Morton player in the victory, and he was handed a start a week later as injury sidelined King for the trip to Perth to face St Johnstone. He looked industrious in a goalless first half and eight minutes into the second half showed he was a real goal threat, turning home a Gary Fraser pass from 3 yards out. Fraser himself scored thirteen minutes later, and Saints were rocking. Fraser and Russell were causing the pedestrian Dods and Niedermeier no end of trouble, and Fraser grabbed his second of the game with a lovely wee run and accurate finish. At three-nothing the game was all but over. All but. Two Mark Davidson goals made it 3-2 with fifteen minutes to play, and it was game on once again. Some good possession football though saw us eat up the clock, and we gathered all three points to ease nine points clear of Saints, and take a huge step towards survival.

BarryLFC

14.

Mid-season table:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts 1st Brechin 18 13 3 2 40 15 +25 42 2nd Raith Rovers 18 8 6 4 36 28 +8 30 3rd Falkirk 18 9 3 6 30 26 +4 30 </pre><pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">4th Morton 18 9 2 7 26 29 -3 29 </pre><pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">5th Ross County 18 8 4 6 41 29 +12 28 6th Clyde 18 6 2 10 22 29 -7 20 7th Inverness C. Thistle 18 6 2 10 29 38 -9 20 8th St. Johnstone 18 6 2 10 21 30 -9 20 9th Airdrie Utd 18 5 4 9 38 45 -7 19 10th Albion Rovers 18 5 2 11 36 50 -14 17 </pre>

BarryLFC

15.

We knew Airdrie would be no pushovers this time. OK, so we almost always beat them, but they were on a nice run of form, we weren't, the game was at their place, and they really, really wanted to beat us. In the end they did, 1-0 with a long-range effort that Robertson barely flapped at. The opening of the transfer window meant two things: 1. Johnstone would be back soon - he had already started light training; and 2. Scottish Cup weekend. Paul King was back and took Russell's place for the trip to Dunfermline.

The game started really, really, really well. Fraser made it 1-0 after 2 minutes, and King added a second after 8. We were doing to Dunfermline what East Fife and Arbroath had done to us in the other cups. Former Morton star John Maisano was starting for the Pars and he went close before John Johnston unbelievably made it 3-0 in 22 minutes and had a fourth ruled out for offside. Dunfermline simply weren't at the races at this stage, though they did have one effort off the post at the tail end of the first half. In the second period we set out primarily to defend what we had, and Buchanan was forced to look lively in making a couple of sharp saves early on. The home team continuted to make all the running, but our defence was reasonably solid, restricting the likes of Barry Nicholson to long range efforts which Buchanan handled adequately. Derek Young broke through to pull one back in injury time, but the tie was over, and we were through, leaving me delighted to admit my prediction had been wrong. Another crappy draw followed though as we were handed an away tie at Dundee.

We were buoyed up for the visit of Clyde, and a goal from Craig McGowan after 16 minutes got us off and running nicely. Clyde though weren't giving this one up, and Gilhaney levelled within three minutes. John Johnston's fifth of the season restored our lead after 32 though, and we looked to take a stranglehold on the game, knowing defeat would draw us back towards the pack at the bottom. Melaschenko's goal 4 minutes into the second half was a bit of a sickener, but we were handed a chance to erase it with a penalty. Gary Fraser slammed it home, and an amazing game moved to 3-2. A blunder by Simon Mensing almost led to a fourth goal, but the offside flag came to Clyde's rescue. Mensing atoned with a maddy run before setting up Melaschenko to level, and we were back to square one. This time though it was the visiting team who grabbed the initiative, Keith Gibson heading home a corner for 4-3, but Paul King tied it up once again, nodding home a free kick with three minutes to go. Both keepers were delighted to hear the final whistle sound on a 4-4 draw, and both managers breathed a sigh of relief.

BarryLFC

16.

Two first half goals at Falkirk - another McGowan thunderbolt and Jones on the end of a corner - set us up nicely for three important points, but Ian MacSween hates us and scored with twenty minutes to go to hand his side a lifeline. Davide Xausa should have levelled soon after, but Buchanan denied him, and at full time the points were ours.

The long awaited return of Brian Johnstone arrived as he was named on the bench for the visit of Inverness, and he replaced Paul King at half time with the score at 0-0. With 25 minutes to go he had a great effort turned on to the post by Bryn Halliwell in the Caley Thistle goal, but played no part in the opener - an Andy Hamilton free kick that took a wickedly unfair deflection off the wall before creeping in with Halliwell stranded. The keeper was playing well though, and he denied Johnstone a comeback goal again, but when Gary Fraser was put through one-on-one he was left with no chance. At 2-0 the game was over and we were content to sit on it. So, no goal for Johnstone, but a good 45 minutes, and he has a chance to start next week.

Three wins from five in January leaves me as manager of the month, and that curse was bourne out as we lost an early goal at Ross County, our defence going to sleep on a corner, turned in by Rooney. Johnstone was again settling for a place on the bench, but another week had done wonders for his fitness and he replaced Fraser at half time determined to erase the one goal defecit. Mark Crilly had other ideas. The former Ayr and St Mirren midfielder made it 2-0 early in the second half, and a quick third from Gethins ended the match as a contest. Andy Hamilton spanked a consolation with 25 minutes to go, but we harboured no real hopes of a comeback. Brian Johnstone though had promised me a goal, and he delivered five minutes later, halving the defecit. Losing Mark Nicol to a knock stifled a little momentum, but Johnstone had a glorious chance to level with five minutes left as he found himself eyeball to eyeball with the County keeper. The shot was saved though, and the home side kept the points. Johnstone's second half efforts were, however, worth a bottle of champagne from the match sponsors, sadly for him he's below the legal age, so I took it.

There was bad news when we returned to the dressing room though - Mark Nicol had suffered a spinal injury, and not only was his career at threat, so was his ability to ever walk again. He was scheduled for surgery on Sunday afternoon, and the players were all hit hard. The best case scenario sees him back for next season, the worst, well it doesn't bear thinking about.

Suspensions to John Johnston and Gary Fraser saw Brian Byrne, Michael Kerr and Johnstone brought into the starting lineup for the cup game at Dundee. If we had no chance at Dunfermline we had less here, and Fabien Caballero made it 1-0 after five minutes. Andy Hamilton was carried off ten minutes later and I wanted to just go home now. Brian Byrne too was lost in the first half as the casualty toll built, but the score remained 1-0 at the break. Steven Milne made sure of Dundee's progress after the break, but we clawed back some pride with a Paul King free kick. Lee Mair made it 3-1 and so it ended. We were out, beaten, but not disgraced. We could hold our heads up high, and take the cheque from the SFA for £75,000 happily. Were it not for the horrific fact that Brian Byrne had suffered a near-identical injury to Mark Nicol. Once again there was the trauma of potential paralysis, though this was ruled out quickly, but another player had a long road ahead of him if he were ever to play football again.

BarryLFC

17.

A goal from Gary Fraser and an own goal from self-destructing 9-man Raith, who also missed a penalty, gave us a 2-0 win at Cappielow, and we scored yet another win over Albion Rovers with a late goal, Fraser adding to Lynch's opener for a 2-1 scoreline on a breezy Greenock afternoon.

Brechin have been the class side in the division this season, and their 3-0 win at Glebe Park was no more than we deserved, and despite that Brian Johnstone marked his comeback by being named player of the month, with Gary Fraser the Young Player of the Month in a month where he also nabbed the Goal of the Month prize.

An Anthony Reid own goal saw us defeated at St Johnstone, but with a thirteen point gap down to Inverness in ninth, and forty-two points in the back, relegation is barely on our minds any more. A disasterous first 7 minutes at home to Airdrie almost changed that though as we lost a goal and then had John Johnston sent off, but a matching red card for Jerome Vareille gave us a lifeline and Craig McGowan took advantage by slamming home an equaliser. 10-a-sides is a much more open game, and a superb strike from Brian Johnstone kicked off the second half in style, and though the goal-fest I anticipated didn't actually occur, Johnstone made it 3-1 after a late counter attack, and we could forget about relegation altogether. For this season.

BarryLFC

18.

Two goals in three minutes saw us draw 1-1 at Clyde as we looked to press on for a top half finish, and a dour game at home to Falkirk came to life in the 78th minute with a Johnstone goal, immediately cancellec out by MacSween only for Gareth Jones to notch a late winner. Ross County scored early, but we weren't any weaker now than at any other stage in the season and we routed them 3-1 at Cappielow before winning 2-1 at Raith, the sixth consecutive game with only one goal conceded, goals in 24 and 26 from Johnstone and Gary Fraser sufficient on this occassion.

Four first half goals saw us take a bit of a doing in Inverness, but Paul King's strike meant we had finally won a game against champions Brechin, just seven days after they clinched the title. We ended the season with two away draws - at St Johnstone (1-1) and Albion Rovers (2-2), the latter having long since been relegated with Airdrie United.

Ayr were relegated from the SPL in their first season up with just 19 points and only 4 wins, and an embarrassing 0-1-2 record against Kilmarnock, including a 5-0 humping. Partick and Queen of the South bounced up from the Second Division.

In the awards category Brian Johnstone was Player of the Year, and he was selected alongside Andy Hamilton in the divisional Team of the Year. Craig McGowan grabbed third place in the goal of the season contest. We had finished third also, and could take great credit from that. When all was said and done, though, staying in the league was again the target for next season.

BarryLFC

19.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts 1st C Brechin 36 21 7 8 72 41 +31 70 2nd Raith Rovers 36 17 12 7 70 47 +23 63 </pre><pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">3rd Morton 36 18 6 12 57 55 +2 60 </pre><pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">4th Falkirk 36 15 9 12 59 54 +5 54 5th Ross County 36 15 7 14 75 62 +13 52 6th Clyde 36 14 6 16 58 61 -3 48 7th St. Johnstone 36 14 6 16 50 56 -6 48 8th Inverness C. Thistle 36 11 7 18 52 66 -14 40 9th R Airdrie Utd 36 9 9 18 64 83 -19 36 10th R Albion Rovers 36 9 5 22 66 98 -32 32 </pre>

BarryLFC

Every Day, a Little Older

Class of 2004

Kevin Buchanan had an interrupted season, but was undoubtedly the first pick when fit. With interest being shown in Craig and Robertson he could find it easier to hang on to the gloves this season.
2005-06 record: Played:33, Conceded: 50, Clean Sheets: 6, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.09

Stephen Lynch finally turned 17 and we got him signed to a pro contract. Has converted to left-back and is doing well there for us.
2005-06 record: Played: 40, Goals: 1, Assists: 5, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.88

Craig McGowan sparkled a little less this season, and was less creative, but still belted a couple of nice, nice goals from outside the area.
2005-06 record: Played: 38, Goals: 3, Assists: 1, MoM 0, Ave: 6.82

Brian Byrne is trying to come back from a potentially career-threatening injury, but the response of Mark Nicol to a similar injury will have raised his spirits, unlikely to be ready for the start of next season.
2005-06 record: Played: 4(7), Goals: 0, Assists: 1, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.18

Scott McGowan barely registered on the radar again this season, and could fins himself out of the club sooner rather than later.
2005-06 record: Played: 2(1), Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.67

John Johnston had a really decent campaign on the right, scoring five goals and creating four more. Did have suspension problems at time and may need to work on his temprament.
2005-06 record: Played: 30, Goals: 5, Assists: 4, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.37

Andy Hamilton followed up a great rookie season with a campaign that was in many ways more impressive than his first
2005-06 record: Played: 40, Goals: 4, Assists: 10, MoM: 0, Ave: 7.10

Mark Wilson came off the bench once this year, but wasn't really noticed.
2005-06 record: Played: 0(1), Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.00

Gary Fraser made a big breakthrough this year, and displaced Paul King. One of the few players to not only maintain last season's form, but improve on it.
2005-06 record: Played: 24(3), Goals: 11, Assists: 5, MoM: 4, Ave: 7.37

Brian Johnstone has arrived! Another seventeen goals, in three games fewer than last term, ridiculously consistant, and, despite missing some time with injuries, the runaway winner of the divisional Player of the Year award.
2005-06 record: Played: 25(2), Goals: 17, Assists: 4, MoM: 13, Ave: 8.11

Paul King deputised well in Johnstone's absence, and can be justly proud of a good year. Only knock is that he ended the season as number three striker behind Fraser and Johnstone.
2005-06 record: Played: 29(1), Goals: 9, Assists: 12, MoM: 6, Ave: 7.40

BarryLFC

Class of 2005

David Mitchell spent the season in the reserves
Record in 2005-06: Played: 0, Conceded: 0, Clean Sheets: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

David Ward similarly was never called upon.
Record in 2005-06: Played: 0, Conceded: 0, Clean Sheets: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

Paul Craig played one or two games in relief of Robertson and Buchanan. Number three for now, but I have a sneaking suspicion he has the most potential of them all
Record in 2005-06: Played: 2(1), Conceded: 4, Clean Sheets: 1, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.00

Craig Robertson was a clear #2 last season, and looks like a potential starter in this league.
Record in 2005-06: Played: 5(1), Conceded: 9, Clean Sheets: 1, MoM: 0, Ave: 5.50

Steven Ritchie established himself as a starter this season, and did particularly well.
Record in 2005-06: Played: 37, Goals: 1, Assists: 0, MoM: 1, Ave: 6.86

Mark Nicol suffered an horrendous injury which he has done well to rehab from in time for the new season.
Record in 2005-06: Played: 26, Goals: 1, Assists: 2, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.65

Michael Kerr was another who took one for the team, missing months after surgery just as he was coming into the team.
Record in 2005-06: Played: 6(2), Goals: 0, Assists: 1, MoM: 0, Ave: 7.00

Anthony Reid spent some time injured also, but played about a dozen games and looked adequate.
Record in 2005-06: Played: 11(2), Goals: 0, Assists: 1, MoM: 0, Ave: 7.00

Steven Reilly only played once, nobody noticed him.
Record in 2005-06: Played: 1, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 5.00

Gareth Jones played all season, and was one of the most influential guys this year.
Record in 2005-06: Played: 40, Goals: 4, Assists: 11, MoM: 0, Ave: 7.10

Scott Campbell hasn't made the breakthrough, and we're trying to see if he can cut it at fullback.
Record in 2005-06: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

David Fraser didn't break through this season.
Record in 2005-06: Played: 0(1), Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 7.00

Mark Russell became our youngest ever player, and scored a goal when others were unavailable. Can be proud of his efforts.
Record in 2005-06: Played: 2(2), Goals: 1, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 7.25

David Davidson got hurt, but looked OK when fit.
Record in 2005-06: Played: 6(1), Goals: 3, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 7.00

retired_bbcarr

you look to have some useful guys coming through there, Iain. brian johnstone and gareth jones look like they have the potential to make it