Finnieston Groundhoppers

We decided to explore Scotland by watching a game at every senior ground in the 2009-10 season. This was a silly idea, but we were stuck with it.

Grounds
42 of 42
Miles
5778
Rained
9
Pies
109
Red Cards
12
Gerrards
65
Season Score
Home: 61
Away: 58
Cappielow, October 10th 2009
Sign photo

Greenock Morton 0 Ross County 1

By Chris
For any football supporter, having to enter your rivals ground is always an awkward and somewhat uncomfortable experience. As a St Mirren supporter Jamie faced the difficult choice of whether we would 'join the dark side' that was the Morton end or play it safe with the Ross County away section. In the end he opted not to risk it, particularly as he was wearing his regular Groundhoppers uniform - a St Mirren strip. Kieran and I made the short trip down the M8 to a grey and damp Greenock and met Jamie at the away end. Through the turnstiles we had to walk round past the old dilapidated terracing which was closed off with police tape giving it the feel of a Taggart episode.

The Ross County fans were given a section of the main stand but for some reason weren't allowed access to the pie stall. Instead the 100 or so County fans had only a rather dubious burger van to nourish us so Kieran had a burger and I had a bacon roll, Jamie played it safe and just stuck with his chewing gum. We were situated in a stand in which the rows of seats were so close together you had the joy of your knees grazing your chin. The rest of the stadium consisted of a bank of terracing behind the goals and a mixture of seating and terracing on the opposite side. The two teams have experienced differing fortunes in the first few months of the campaign - Ross County's focus on working with youth players paying early dividends with the team competing at the top end of the table. Morton on the other hand have experienced a difficult start having already conceded 16 goals and fired their manager in the first 8 games.

The game was a disappointing affair; Morton sat in far too deep but County were unable to find a killer pass to open them up. Garry Wood came closest in the opening period for County but his shot was parried by Morton keeper Colin Stewart. Morton came out with a more attack minded approach in the 2nd half and the County defence did look susceptible but it was the away side who grabbed the lead. With just over 20 minutes left Garry Wood swept home following the best build up play of the day. Morton did have their moments to grab a point but their finishing was poor and in the end County just about deserved all 3 points.

Moment of the day: As the game reached a nervy conclusion a frustrated County fan behind us cried out: 'Haw County I've got four words for you: keep the ball.'

Journey - 5/10
Pie - 0/10
Bovril - 5/10
Ground - 3/10
Game - 4/10

Kieran: Regarding the pictures - we couldn't actually see a Greenock Morton sign anywhere. We saw a billboard across the street, but no specific sign. So, uh, there's us at the ground instead.
Sign photo
A word from Paisley
Being a St Mirren Fan I have to admit to feeling a little apprehensive about the visit to Cappielow today. It almost felt like I was cheating on my Girlfriend, and that I was about to found be out. I remember the Derby games of the 80's and 90's between Morton and St.Mirren being utterly engrossing, and an easy comparitor to any of the other Derby games across the globe. There was always a talking point, some contraversial moment, plenty of goals - and of course the original Paisley Panda raising hell and being lambasted by the police. Sadly those days are now gone and the annual Renfrewshire Cup Final hardly compares.

Throughout the build up to this game I have to admit to having had a sick fascination with going to the Morton end of the ground and seeing what it was like to be "one of them". Hidden St. Mirren shirt underneath of course. Fortunately Kieran talked me out of this, and instead we took up our place with the County fans - ready to show my wrath. But in all honesty I had no strong feelings either way. Both sides were workmenlike, with County probably just edging it. Morton even reminded me of St. Mirren in many ways and it's odd that sides with so many similarities are such bitter rivals. I suppose these things always start off this way, with some minor difference or wrong word said. Can't we all just get along? Probably not.

The only odd thing today though was the strange Garlic smell emanating throughout the Ground for most of the Match, It must be true - Greenock really does stink.
Pie and Bovril review
Pie - well this is becoming a joke - no pies in nearly 2 weeks. the bacon roll was tasty although it was saltier than the saltiest sea dog. 0/10

Bovril - at first this seemed tasty enough but it left a lingering odd aftertaste. 5/1