Match Report: Queen of the South 20s 2-3 Morton 20s

Queen of the South Under-20s 2 – 3 Morton Under-20s

Moxon (13 pen, 50) – Orr (18 pen), Oyenuga (28), Tiffoney (67)

Morton Under-20s tonight returned to the scene of the first-team’s sensational win over Queen of the South on Saturday and repeated the feat to reclaim their place at the top of the Development League West.

While the senior side ran out overwhelming 5-0 victors three days ago, Andy Millen’s men were involved in a more even, end-to-end affair in which they came back from behind to secure the spoils.

The Doonhamers opened the scoring after just 13 minutes when John Tennent was adjudged to have sent Ross Fergusson tumbling inside the box and Owen Moxon rifled past Jamie McGowan from 12 yards.

But it was another spot-kick that got the Ton back on level terms five minutes later, striker Thomas Orr picking himself up after he was tripped and stroking down the centre to grab a goal that will do him the world of good.

Senior squad regulars Lee Kilday, Ricki Lamie, Caolan McAleer and Kudus Oyenuga were all handed valuable game time in order to give themselves the best chance of featuring in Saturday’s semi-final.

And it was Englishman Oyenuga, playing on the left of midfield rather than through the middle, who gave his side the lead on 28 minutes.

Taking full of advantage of a break of the ball inside the box, the former Dundee United man outfoxed a defender with a smart turn and lashed a left-footed shot past keeper Jack Leighfield.

Ton shot-stopper McGowan produced a fine reflex save to keep out Ryan Nelson’s angled drive and send his side in at the break in front.

But Queen of the South were back on level terms five minutes into the second half thanks to a towering Moxon header from an outswinging corner.

Winger Scott Tiffoney had a hand in all three goals in last week’s 3-0 win against Clyde, and he proved the matchwinner this evening.

Direct and decisive work from Oyenuga on the left ended with his cross eventually breaking for the teenager drifting in off the opposite flank.

It was far from a routine finish, but Tiffoney made it look simple as he waited for the ball to drop from a considerable height and lasered a controlled yet powerful volley into the net from 10 yards.

The superb strike was enough to secure a well-earned three points and push the Ton teens back in front of Ayr United at the league summit.

Morton (442)

1. McGowan
6. Tennent 2. Kilday 5. Lamie 3. Strapp
7. McAleer 4. Anderson 8. Duffy 9. Oyenuga
11. Orr 10.Tiffoney

Subs used: 15. McWaters (for Orr, 73), 14. Hynes (for Oyenuga, 83), and 12. Mitchell (for Lamie, 84).

Subs not used: 20. Connor (gk).

Booked: Tennent (13), Duffy (85).

Referee: Calum Scott

Image: David Bell