“Breathtaking” Pars defeat Morton to make it seven unbeaten

 

Matty Todd inspired Dunfermline Athletic to victory over Greenock Morton. Photo: Craig Brown/DAFC

 

On a cold and wet Easter Saturday afternoon in western Fife, Dunfermline Athletic saw off Greenock Morton 3-1 to make it seven games without a loss and boost their chances of finishing in a playoff position.

Cameron Blues gave the visitors the lead against the run of play late in the first half, but three goals in 20 second-half minutes from Andy Tod, Kieran Ngwenya and Matty Todd ensured an impressive win for the home side.

 

The home side had the better of the opening exchanges and had their first real chance when the ball fell to Chris Kane in the box who was found by Todd, but his shot on the half-volley was comfortably saved by Murray Johnson in the Morton goal.

The first big chance, however, fell to Morton on 17 minutes. Nathan Shaw slid a perfect pass through to Owen Moffat, whose shot was well saved by Aston Oxborough in the hosts’ goal and after Dunfermline couldn’t clear, Michael Garrity’s powerful shot was well blocked by Pars’ captain for the day, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen.

Kane was proving to be a handful for the visitors’ backline in the first half, and he had Pars’ first clear-cut chance midway through the opening period. A good passing move resulted in Josh Cooper hitting the byline on the left-hand side and cutting the ball back to the veteran striker, but he skied his effort from 12 yards – a warning sign for Morton.

Their best chance of the half came on 27 minutes when Cooper’s corner was met by Ngwenya, whose header rattled the crossbar. The ball fell kindly to Nurudeen Abdulai, but his goal-bound shot cannoned off Charlie Gilmour and out of harm’s way.

But Morton would go into the break a goal to the good. A poor clearance from Abdulai fell to Cameron Blues, who took a touch and fired a right-footed shot past Aston Oxborough and into the corner of the net - Ian Murray's side taking the lead against the run of play.

Pars manager Lennon, meanwhile, must have had strong words with his troops at the break – they came out and got an immediate equaliser after the break. Todd’s right-wing cross was met in the middle by Andy Tod, who met the ball with a first-time finish from close range for his 16^th goal of an unbelievable season.

And by the 52^nd minute, the game had been completely turned on its head. Abdulai met a set-piece delivery once again, his blocked header fell into the path of Kane, who teed up Ngwenya and the Malawian’s shot found the bottom corner.

Kieran Ngwenya gave Dunfermline the lead on 52 minutes. Photo: Craig Brown / DAFC

 

The game was wrapped up after 65 minutes. Tod was persistent in keeping the ball alive after an attack had broken down, and presented Todd with a chance, which he tucked away into the bottom corner – Tod returning the favour after Todd had set up his equaliser.

Despite the quick turnaround, Morton still offered an attacking threat, and Oxborough had to be alert to keep out another stinging drive from Moffat immediately after the second goal – but the game fizzled out somewhat after the hosts’ third goal.

Dunfermline's back three performed well to nullify the attacking threat from the likes of Curtis Main, who had a quiet afternoon, and Michael Garrity, who was replaced by Arron Lyall on 70 minutes.

 

“I thought the reaction was brilliant in the second half”, Lennon reflected at full-time. “I’m absolutely thrilled. I thought our forward play was really good, they took your breath away at times.

“They’re a good side, dangerous on the counter-attack, but I thought we were brilliant from start to finish.”

His counterpart Murray, meanwhile, appeared displeased with his side gifting quick-fire goals to their opponents.

“We lost goals so quickly and cheaply, four minutes apart [at the start of the second half], which sucked the life out of us”, the Greenock boss explained.

“Two of the goals were very scrappy – you have to be on your toes and be ready for second phases, especially in this league.

“But the work rate was there, the players were giving 100%, but we made some poor decisions and paid a heavy price.”

 

The performances of the likes of Tod and Todd in recent weeks have been invaluable for Dunfermline, as well as Callum Morrison who had scored five goals in his last four league games but sat this one out due to injury.

But it was a real team effort in this match with many players impressing, especially left wing-back Robbie Fraser, who has impressed since arriving from Rangers, who showed great determination and attacking intent throughout.

Speaking post-match, Lennon was quick to point out that his squad is a little thin on the ground at the moment, especially in forward areas, but the performance of 17-year-old Lucas Fyfe off the bench was encouraging. The local lad was full of energy and even caught a sweet volley from the edge of the box – unfortunately for him, the ball flew straight into Johnson’s hands.

But victory for Dunfermline, combined with Arbroath’s defeat against St Johnstone, ensured that Lennon’s side end the day fourth place in the Championship, one point off third-placed Arbroath, and seven points ahead of Morton and local rivals Raith Rovers, with two games in hand on Arbroath and Morton (one game in hand on Rovers, who contest the Challenge Cup final against Inverness on Sunday).