GREENOCK MORTON ended their long wait for a win by defeating Airdrieonians in Lanarkshire.
Both teams were seeking their first victory, but Airdrie boss Danny Lennon was in dire need after replacing Rhys McCabe early on in the season.
Even though the Diamonds were at the foot of the table and already four points behind the visiting Ton side, they started on the front foot and almost opened the scoring early on as a looping cross evaded James Storer and left Zak Delaney with a tough task at the back post to clear out of play.
Delaney was called into action again soon after, as a quick one-two by Lewis Strapp allowed the local in down the left to cut the ball back into a dangerous area in the box, where the current Morton left-back recovered to clear.
Soon after, a clever ball inside from Kerr Robertson found his midfield partner Iain Wilson, with the defensive midfielder forcing Airdrie keeper, Matty Connolly, into action for the first time from a tight angle.
The first-half showed why both teams had scored the least in the division, as conceding possession in the defensive half without being punished was a consistent theme, but Morton grew into the game as the half wore on–feeding wingers Owen Moffat and Michael Garrity with the ball on multiple occasions.
In-form Garrity continued to show his crossing ability, whilst Moffat kept scurrying inside with the ball from the right to cause problems, but despite both their efforts the score was level at the interval.
However, Morton’s fortunes would change early on in the second period.
After winning the ball back in Airdrie’s defensive third three times in quick succession, Moffat whipped a cross in from deep which evaded Delaney but found Tomi Adeloye, who clinically dispatched with an acrobatic effort to put his side ahead.
The goal had the travelling support jubilant, but their joy was short lived as three minutes later Airdrie were level.
Storer dallied with possession on the edge of the box, before firing the ball towards Kerr Robertson who was robbed by Chris Mochrie, allowing Euan Henderson the simplest of finishes to level the score.
With half an hour left to play, Imrie rolled the dice by making a triple substitution–much to the displeasure of departing Moffat–bringing on Eamonn Brophy, Nathan Shaw and Arron Lyall for his second debut.
The Ross County loanee immediately formed a tandem with Garrity down the left flank, allowing the winger more opportunities to deliver dangers cross, which none of his teammates could capitalise on.
Possibly the best chance came to young Robertson who received the ball on the counter attack from the aforementioned Garrity but, despite baring down on goal with a three-on-two, he couldn’t convert, seeing his shot blocked by the recovering Diamonds defence.
Eager to impress Brophy was next to see his efforts denied as an ambitious effort from distance flew over the bar, before his volley on the swivel was blocked by Sean McGinty from close range.
Although Morton were looking the more likely to score, Airdrie still had opportunities, with Cowal’s Strapp coming closest with an effort that sliced wide of the near post from outside the box.
But eventually Michael Garrity’s persistence would pay off, as the attacker’s inswinging corner was powered home by Jackson Longridge with less than ten minutes to go, restoring the Ton’s lead and putting them back on course for a first win of the season.
Despite the winger providing the piece of magic needed to put Morton ahead, he was hooked moments later, as Imrie opted for a defensive approach for the closing stages of the game.
But he was justified in his change as, despite Airdrie dominating the ball, the Ton travelled back to Sinclair Street with three points and a much needed win to round off the first quarter of the Championship season.
Despite only collecting their first win of the campaign at the weekend, Morton now sit only two points behind the play-off places, whilst despite putting in an encouraging individual performance, Lewis Strapp’s side sit four points adrift at the foot of the table with Ross County’s maiden win of the season confirming their status as the last team yet to pick up three points.
Partick Thistle are the next team to face the Cappielow side, with the league’s form team travelling down the Clyde on Saturday, October 11, to face off with a buoyant Morton team.
