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Greenock MortonMatch Report
Match Report by Scott Gallacher
Stenhousemuir secured their place in the Round of 16 of the Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup with a commanding 4-0 victory over William Hill Championship side Greenock Morton at Ochilview.
Ross Meechan opened the scoring for the Warriors on 39 minutes, as a corner into the Morton box found the defender, allowing him to steer the ball into the net.
Stenhousemuir doubled their advantage just before the break, with Matty Aitken rising highest to meet another corner and head home to give the hosts a two-goal cushion at half-time.
Captain Gregor Buchanan added a third after the interval, meeting a superb delivery into the danger area with a powerful header against his former club.
A standout performance from Matty Aitken was capped off with his second goal of the afternoon with ten minutes remaining. Ross Meechan turned provider, picking out the striker brilliantly to seal Morton’s fate and put the tie beyond doubt.
Gary Naysmith made four changes from the midweek clash against Stirling Albion in the KDM Evolution Trophy, with Nicky Jamieson, Ross Taylor, Kinlay Bilham and Scott McGill all coming into the starting XI.
Greenock Morton had the first opportunity of the match, with Eamonn Brophy firing wide from an early chance. A second effort soon followed for the visitors, but again the attempt sailed over the crossbar.
Eamonn Brophy was presented with a third chance to open the scoring, but once more failed to hit the target.
Stenhousemuir registered their first opportunity shortly after, as Ross Taylor delivered a dangerous ball into Matty Aitken, whose effort was deflected behind for a corner.
That resulting set-piece led to the opening goal. Nicky Jamieson got the first touch, but it was Ross Meechan who applied the finish, heading home in the 39th minute.
Morton were handed a route back into the game in the 43rd minute when they were awarded a penalty. Eamonn Brophy stepped up, but Darren Jamieson guessed correctly and produced an excellent save to deny the striker.
Stenhousemuir immediately broke forward on the counter, with Nicky Jamieson seeing a shot blocked by James Storer and sent behind for another corner
From that delivery, Kinlay Bilham floated the ball into the box, where Matty Aitken was on hand to slam home in the 45th minute and send Stenny into the break two goals to the good.
Half-Time: Stenhousemuir 2-0 Greenock Morton
Darren Jamieson was called into action early in the second half, producing a superb save to preserve the two-goal advantage.
The goalkeeper was required twice more in quick succession, making two excellent stops to keep his clean sheet intact.
On 65 minutes, Gregor Buchanan came back to haunt his old club, rising highest to meet another corner and nodding the ball into the net to put the Warriors firmly in control.
Any lingering doubt was removed in the 80th minute when Matty Aitken struck again. Ross Meechan threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the Morton defence, allowing the striker to finish confidently from close range.
Zak Delaney attempted to pull one back for the visitors in the closing moments, but his effort drifted well wide.
The emphatic victory capped off an outstanding week for Stenhousemuir, who now find themselves in the quarter-finals of the KDM Evolution Trophy and the Round of 16 of the Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup.
Full-Time: Stenhousemuir 4-0 Greenock Morton
MATCH PREVIEW
Match Preview by Scott Gallacher
Stenhousemuir welcome Greenock Morton to Ochilview Park on Saturday afternoon, with a place in the Round of 16 of the Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup up for grabs.
The Warriors come into the fourth round in confident mood after an emphatic 4-1 victory over Clachnacuddin in the previous round at Ochilview.
A scintillating first-half display put the tie beyond doubt before the break, with Mikey Anderson opening the scoring early on before Ross Taylor and a Finlay Gray brace ensured comfortable progression.
Morton arrive to Stenhousemuir having negotiated a dramatic passage through the previous round.
The Cappielow side edged past Peterhead at Balmoor Stadium on penalties after a gripping encounter with Tomi Adeloye netting twice before being dismissed for a second yellow card, while a late equaliser from Kieran Shanks forced spot-kicks, where Morton held their nerve to progress.
In Stenhousemuir’s previous game, more cup success came to the club, as Stenhousemuir defeated Stirling Albion 2-1 away at Forthbank Stadium in the KDM Evolution Trophy.
A double from Olly Whyte sealed the win and extended the Warriors’ unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions, underlining the strong form Gary Naysmith’s side take into Saturday’s contest.
League form for the visitors has been more challenging as of late, as Morton suffered a 3-2 defeat away to Partick Thistle in their most recent outing, having led 2-0 at half-time through goals from Michael Garrity and Eamonn Brophy.
Late strikes from Ben Stanway, Kyle Turner and Tony Watt turned the game on its head, meaning that Morton have recorded just one win in their last six matches in all competitions.
The sides last met earlier this season in the Premier Sports Cup, when Morton ran out 3-0 winners, with Tomi Adeloye scoring twice alongside a goal from Owen Moffat.
Saturday’s encounter, however, presents a fresh challenge, with Stenhousemuir buoyed by home form and momentum, and Morton aiming to rediscover consistency.
