BarryLFC

28.

It took a penalty kick to break the deadlock at Falkirk as the season began to wind down, and John Johnston converted, but the Bairns scrambled a leveller early in the second half and we had to rebuild. But rebuild we did, and Mark Wilson squeezed us back in front midway through the half, and three more points were tallied to our account. A lovely early goal put us ahead at home to St Johnstone in game 34, and they were reduced to 10 men before the half. After the break we searched for a clinching second, but it wasn't immediately forthcoming and the visitors went close to a leveller before time was called.

With County six points ahead of Ayr, and the same gap back to ourselves in third it looked as if things would be tied up on matchday 35. Brian Johnstone's third minute strike had us ahead, but he's not the goal machine he was before his injury. We were level midway through the second half as relegation-threatened Raith scored from close range. Paul Craig has been remarkably durable in goal all season, but he was carried off with twenty minutes to go, and Craig Robertson pulled on the gloves. There were no further goals, however, and we would finish third. Despite a 4-1 win over Clyde, Ayr missed out on promotion as County hit Queen of the South for six to take the title.

We celebrated the double in the monthly awards as Brian Johnstone added the Young Player award to his Player award from March, and I was named Manager of the Month for the first time this season. The final match of the season was at home to Queen of the South, and we looked to go out on a high in front of a decent sized support. Brian Johnstone headed home a fine opener after seven minutes, but a freak own goal on the quarter hour drew Queens level. Andy Hamilton put his injury nightmare behind him with his first goal of the season, and Wilson made it 3-1 before the break as we enjoyed a fine afternoon in the rain, and Scott McGowan added a fourth on the stroke of half time. After the break we played some nice stuff, and netted a penalty to extend our lead to 5-1, but we weren't too bothered about rubbing in our advantage and the season ended on a high. Queens finished 10th and there was a shock on the final day as Clyde fell to 9th and were relegated.

BarryLFC

29.

Brian Byrne's transformation into a right back was capped by his selection in the First Division Team of the Year, alongside Craig McGowan who missed the final part of the campaign through injury. I was placed third in the Manager of the Year, and the goals that gave Craig McGowan first and second place in December's goal of the month competition were enough for second and third in the annual contest.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts 1st C Ross County 36 23 7 6 85 39 +46 76 2nd Ayr 36 20 10 6 78 31 +47 70 </pre><pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">3rd Morton 36 17 11 8 59 38 +21 62 </pre><pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">4th Inverness C. Thistle 36 14 7 15 58 70 -12 49 5th St. Johnstone 36 12 9 15 45 57 -12 45 6th Partick Thistle 36 11 11 14 45 41 +4 44 7th Falkirk 36 12 7 17 52 66 -14 43 8th Raith Rovers 36 11 8 17 50 58 -8 41 9th R Clyde 36 11 7 18 42 68 -26 40 10th R Queen of Sth. 36 7 7 22 40 86 -46 28 </pre>

retired_marcias

:cool:

BarryLFC

Class of 2004

Kevin Buchanan spent this season in the u19 squad.
2006-07 record: Played:0, Conceded: 0, Clean Sheets: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

Stephen Lynch moved to Sheffield United in November where he has broken into the first team.
2006-07 Morton record: Played: 20, Goals: 0, Assists: 1, MoM: 0, Ave: 7.05
2006-07 Sheff Utd record: Played: 8(1), Goals: 0, Assists: 1, MoM: 1, Ave: 6.67

Craig McGowan missed the end of the season through injury, but had his best campaign yet when he was on the field.
2006-07 record: Played: 34, Goals: 4, Assists: 2, MoM 1, Ave: 7.26

Brian Byrne converted to right back following the sale of Lynch and excelled to the extent he was named in the team of the year in that position. A success story.
2006-07 record: Played: 30, Goals: 3, Assists: 3, MoM: 1, Ave: 7.30

Scott McGowan had extended spells deputising for his brother and for Hamilton during their injuries, and put in a good shift. May have salvaged his Morton career.
2006-07 record: Played: 33, Goals: 4, Assists: 6, MoM: 1, Ave: 6.79

John Johnston was a regular in the team on the right, and put in his best campaign to date. Growing into the role, he could yet be a player.
2006-07 record: Played: 46, Goals: 5, Assists: 10, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.52

Andy Hamilton took a nasty injury and missed more than half the season. Still, put in a superb show when he was there, and hinted at a return to his 2004-05 form.
2006-07 record: Played: 20, Goals: 1, Assists: 13, MoM: 1, Ave: 7.25

Mark Wilson was another who had his best season of his career. Played a lot of football due to injuries and sales, and made a mark where it matters - on the scoresheet.
2006-07 record: Played: 25(3), Goals: 13, Assists: 6, MoM: 4, Ave: 6.86

Gary Fraser hasn't broken into the Wednesday side yet and is yet to play a game for that club. A recent report valued him at over £500,000 though, and he is in the Scotland u21 side.
2006-07 Morton record: Played: 14, Goals: 18, Assists: 4, MoM: 8, Ave: 8.14

Brian Johnstone was another who missed a lot of time through surgery, but he was every bit the mercurial striker when he was present, and showed signs of returning to goalscoring form as the season wore down.
2006-07 record: Played: 15(3), Goals: 11, Assists: 6, MoM: 5, Ave: 7.78

Paul King is another who has failed to break through at his new club. He did a turn for us though, and brought in some much appreciated cash.
2006-07 Morton record: Played: 26(1), Goals: 11, Assists: 9, MoM: 3, Ave: 7.22

retired_mellnet

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>We've lost three of our best players this season, I don't think promotion is realistic!
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts 1st C Ross County 36 23 7 6 85 39 +46 76 2nd Ayr 36 20 10 6 78 31 +47 70 3rd Morton 36 17 11 8 59 38 +21 62 </pre>
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was hoping to spur you on to a historic title race victory, but I guess I failed.

But there is always next season. Maybe you should higher PM7's youth Director. That would surely give you the boost you need.

shannon2007

HD feels the need to sell his youth though, and apart from the ones I've felt were crap, I've hung on to mine. Also I did sign players at the start, which probably helped

BarryLFC

Next season all rests on who comes through in the class of 2007, particularly with fullbacks, we're short on depth there, but solid in other positions like centre back and central midfield, even up front we seem to have a string of guys capable of double figures. Time will tell

BarryLFC

Class of 2005

David Mitchell signed a professional contract this year, but is way down the goalkeeping pecking order.
2006-07 record: Played: 0, Conceded: 0, Clean Sheets: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

David Ward is still 16, but was perhaps more impressive than Buchanan and Mitchell in his games for the u19s and reserves.
2006-07 record: Played: 0, Conceded: 0, Clean Sheets: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

Paul Craig established himself as the first choice keeper this season with a series of top notch performances when given his chance, and no small degree of durability. Is described as unambitious and erratic, but is my main guy for now.
2006-07 record: Played: 47, Conceded: 48, Clean Sheets: 19, MoM: 3, Ave: 6.91

Craig Robertson found himself leapfrogged by Craig after Buchanan's demotion and only made one sub appearance all season due to the former's durability.
2006-07 record: Played: 0(1), Conceded: 0, Clean Sheets: 1, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.00

Steven Ritchie remained first choice this season, and with the retirement of Collins became the senior figure in the rearguard. Had a storming season too, with only a few injury absences.
2006-07 records: Played: 39, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 1, Ave: 7.05

Mark Nicol moved to Dundee in pre-season and was a regular in the side that finished fifth in the SPL.
2006-07 Morton record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -
2006-07 Dundee record: Played: 30(12), Goals: 0, Assists: 4, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.40

Michael Kerr regressed this season and made little impression on the team.
2006-07 record: Played: 0(1), Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.00

Anthony Reid was solid as a rock when called upon and can count himself unlucky not to have played more football. An established first team squad member.
2006-07 record: Played: 9(8), Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.65

Steven Reilly played some in relief and was a solid option at the back when called upon.
2006-07 record: Played: 8(2), Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.60

Gareth Jones played on the left all season long and had as good a season as in his rookie year.
2006-07 record: Played: 47, Goals: 5, Assists: 14, MoM: 1, Ave: 7.06

Scott Campbell wasn't making the grade here, and we were in the process of trying to make him a left back when Premiership side Fulham bizarrely came in for him. He hasn't played a game for them yet.
2006-07 Morton record: Played: 1(2), Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.67

David Fraser is now 19 and really ought to have made more of an impact than he has. His three substitute appearances are more a result of departures and injuries knocking others out of the runnning than his own efforts. Did look good in the reserves though.
2006-07 record: Played: 0(3), Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.00

Mark Russell had a similar season to the one before and could be on the verge of a breakout year.
2006-07 record: Played: 1(8), Goals: 1, Assists: 2, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.56

David Davidson had some injury worries, but did grab a few goals. Not the quality I was hoping for however. Needs to raise his game this coming season.
2006-07 record: Played: 13(11), Goals: 6, Assists: 1, MoM: 1, Ave: 6.50

BarryLFC

Class of 2006

Ross Adam was our only left back last season and played well under pressure.
2006-07 record: Played: 44, Goals: 0, Assists: 2, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.57

Robert McCarthy didn't play in the first team last year, but was decent for the other sides.
2006-07 record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

Alan Moran came in to replace a legend at the age of 14 and played beyond his years all season long.
2006-07 record: Played: 40 Goals: 0, Assits: 0, MoM: 1, Ave: 6.53

Andy Fraser is another yet to break into the top team.
2006-07 record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

John Hunter did well for the u19s and reserves but didn't see a moment of top team action.
2006-07 records: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

Chris Miller can accurately say "ditto".
2006-07 record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

David Munro is drawing attention from Brechin after a good season in the youth teams.
2006-07 record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

Gary Murphy came into the top team squad at the tail end of the campaign and acquitted himself well.
2006-07 record: Played: 4, Goals: 1, Assists: 2, MoM: 0, Ave: 7.00

Robert Dunn sat on the bench all season and scored a good goal once.
2006-07 record: Played: 1(15), Goals: 1, Assists: 1, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.50

Craig Connolly showed some sparkling form for the reserves and u19s, who were both poor results-wise despite some solid performances from individuals.
2006-07 record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

David Graham didn't do much this season. Scored 10 goals in the reserves and u19s, but wasn't an outstanding performer.
2006-07 Morton record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

Chris Robertson showed little for any team this year.
2006-07 record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

BarryLFC

Class of 2007

John Mann 17, S C


Yes, that's it.