BarryLFC

Class of 2006

Ross Adam 17, D L

Robert McCarthy 15, D C

Alan Moran 14, D C

Andy Fraser 15, M C

John Hunter 14, M C

Chris Miller 14, M C

David Munro 15, M C

Gary Murphy 17, M C

Robert Dunn 16, AM/F R

Craig Connolly 17, F RC

David Graham 17, S C

Chris Robertson 14, S C

Adam, Moran and Dunn into first team squad

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Flying the Nest

Morton fans were dealt a devastating blow last night as the first of their Academy kids left for pastures new. For right wing-back Mark Nicol the move to Dundee marked the completion of a torturous six-month rehabilitation from a career-threatening spinal injury, and a chance to make his name in the SPL.

In his one season playing for the Morton first team Nicol racked up 26 appearances, scoring once and creating two further goals for teammates. He averaged 6.65, and looked set for a monster season until injury struck. The deal with Dundee comprises £30,000 cash up front, and a 20% sell-on clause, ensuring Morton were not left feeling ripped-off in any way.

Nicol will be back at Cappielow for a friendly match on July 13th, and he is sure to receive a warm welcome from the Morton fans upon arrival. Dundee beat off opposition from Blackpool for the player, the Seasiders having had a similar bid accepted by the Greenock side's board.

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retired_pahuja_satish

I think that was a shameless bump : D

BarryLFC

no it was an edit

BarryLFC

20.

An undefeated preseason set us up nicely for our reunion with Airdrie United in the Challenge Cup. The away side scored two goals in the last ten minutes, but we had five in our back pockets by then, and we advanced to face First Division favourites Ayr United in the next round. Our league campaign also began at Cappielow, and it stuttered and spluttered until with twenty minutes to go Gary Fraser struck. He added another six minutes later, and further goals from Brian Johnstone on 81 and 85 gave us a flattering 4-0 win. We knew we wouldn't always end so strongly, but tucked the three points away happily nonetheless.

With Alan Moran starting in place of the retired Derek Collins our total age dropped by over 20 years, and the new youthful side, featuring Paul Craig in goals, with Kevin Buchanan having dropped to the u19 squad, took on Ayr at Cappielow on Challenge Cup duty. We led 1-0 through Gary Fraser until the 65th minute when Ayr, who had made all three substitutions, lost their keeper to injury. Right back Willie Lyle stepped in, but he let three further goals past him, Fraser completing his hat-trick and Johnstone adding another, and we were through to face Third Division Montrose in the Quarter Finals, this tie though would be on their patch.

Alan Moran tweaked his groin in the Ayr game and faced up to three weeks on the sidelines as we squared up to Partick at Firhill, breaking a run of five consecutive home games, including friendlies. Anthony Reid stepped in at the back, but most of the action was at the opposite end of the field as we dominated a scoreless first half. The missed chances looked set to cost us as Partick were the stronger side in the second period, but a defensive error in the last minute sent Brian Johnstone through on the keeper, but 45 yards out. He advanced to the edge of the box in stride, neatly sidestepped the goalie, and as the home fans physically felt the three points slipping away he slotted it towards goal. It missed though, and the game ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw.

A return game with Ayr - I say return, it too was at Cappielow - came next as the XI who flopped at Firhill were given the chance to redeem themselves against the title favourites. It has always been my thinking to demand victory from eery game until it is apparent that I am being unrealistic. That moment has yet to arrive this season, but a third consecutive goalless half was starting to drive me to drink. The fourth soon followed, and we even lost Andy Hamilton to a calf injury that will keep him out for five long months, through to January 2007.

We felt for sure that a goal would come at Montrose, they were mismatched after all, and the perfect chance came in the 45th minute when we were awarded a penalty. Gary Fraser stepped up and scored, and you could hear the monkey falling off our backs. (ooh-ah-ee-ee-ee) Fraser nodded a second from a corner early in the second half, but worryingly Brian Johnstone was carried off. Tests later showed his hamstring in shreds. It would be February before he played again, and he certainly wouldn't be fit for the semi final at home to St Johnstone. It had been a bad month, and we were happy to bid August farewell.

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21.

League defeats at Ross County (2-0) and at home to Inverness (1-0) sandwiched a good League Cup win at East Fife (3-0) were not the perfect preparation for a Challenge Cup semi final at home to St Johnstone. With a midfielder at right back and a right back at left back we were always up against it, but Scott McGowan did have us ahead before Stuart Lovell tied it up midway through the first half. A scoreless second meant extra time, and we snatched the lead in the 103rd minute when Gary Fraser robbed a defender, ran through and scored through the keeper's legs. That meant the second spell of extra time was a chance to hang on, but we had no intention of that. A Fraser shot came off the post to David Davidson less than 1 yard out and the young striker made it 3-1. As time expired the relief was palpable, we were in the final, though Ross County would start that match as favourites.

We were immediately back in action against the Saints, at their ground on league duty, and again we led early on, Gary Fraser scoring. This time though we didn't lose such a quick leveller, and Fraser nodded a second from a corner shortly before the break. We comfortably played out the second to pick up three valuable points, and another reunion with Airdrie United was imminent.

The first goal of this contest looked set to come early as both sides went close in the opening ten minutes, but it wasn't until the 25th minute that a fine strike from Gary Fraser broke the deadlock. Chances dried up though after the break, and Airdrie went close through Marvyn Wilson, concentrating our minds somewhat. David Davidson came off the bench to make it 2-0 though, and we were able to take it easy and close out the game, earning a trip to Dundee United in the process.

We ended September with a game at Raith and parity was only maintained by virtue of the woodwork as the home side threatened in the first half. Gary Fraser had to be carried off in the first half though, causing us some headaches, and David Davidson was sent on in his stead. He handed us a second half lead, but Raith were immediately level, and we trailed moments later as Shaun Kerr notched a second. Raith were reduced to ten men within three minutes after a professional foul on King by Talio, and we set about trying to take advantage. Raith though caught us on the break, making it 3-1 in the last minute, and that, as they say, was that.

BarryLFC

22.

Four Gary Fraser goals, two in each half, saw Falkirk demolished 4-0 at Cappielow, but that piqued the interest of Sheffield Wednesday who had an £18,000 bid accepted on the Monday, and Fraser completed the move on the Tuesday. On a brighter note Stephen Lynch made his way into the Scotland u21 squad, providing one reason to celebrate. Another came later in the week as Stewart Greacen's £100,000 move from Wigan to West Ham netted us a £10,000 windfall.

A trip to Dumfries was a pleasant respite from the off-field dramas of the preceding week, and Queen of the South have been good opponents for us of late. In the post-Fraser era we went with Davidson and King up front, but the former spurned a simple early chance as the visiting fans started a chorus of "One Gary Fraser". After a goalless first half both sides were cautious in the second, and there was next to no goalmouth action as the game ended nil-nil, lifting us to fifth place in the league.

Good form for the u19s saw Mark Russell brought up to the senior squad following Fraser's departure, and he was on the bench for the Challenge Cup final at Hampden, some luck! A training injury the day before the game meant David Davidson would miss the game, sad for him, but what an opportunity for Mark Wilson, thrust into the team for the game. Only thirty seconds into the action County hit the post with a fine drive from Winters, but we bounced back and went close ourselves in the opening exchanges. The opening goal was delayed until the second half as we fought hard, but two minutes into the half Conor Gethins made it 1-0 from close range. Mark Russell was sent into the action late on as we chased an equaliser that would force extra time, but County defended valiantly through five minutes of injury time to lift the trophy in front of an extraordinary 38379 spectators.

The same guys had to lift themselves three days later for the League Cup game at Tannadice, a game we knew had to remain 0-0 for as long as we could possibly manage. 45 minutes came and went and we were still level, infact both King and Wilson had spurned decent chances, but it was right back to square one for the second period. Little over two minutes into the half we lost the goal we had feared as Danny Griffin headed home a corner from Paterson. From then we were on a hiding to nothing, and Gary Watson made it 2-0 with 15 minutes to go. We held firm from then on, but couldn't nick a consolation, and our cup participation was reduced from three to one in the space of three days.

November was only one game old and already it was shaping up to be a bad month.

retired_mellnet

Nice story.

BarryLFC

Thanks