Morton 0 - 3 Aberdeen

Cappielow, often a bogey ground for Alex Ferguson’s Dons, but there were no fears for Jimmy Thelin’s side as they cruised into the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup with a comprehensive victory. 

Following defeat to Celtic last Sunday, there were three changes for Aberdeen, with Gavin Molloy, Shayden Morris and Ante Palaversa starting the game, in for Graeme Shinnie, Nicky Devlin and Topi Keskinen, who were all on the bench. It was Molloy’s first start since the first game of 2025, against Ross County, and the 100th start of his career. Sivert Heltne Nilsen captained the team.

There were two changes to the Morton side that drew 1-1 with Partick Thistle at Firhill last Saturday, Owen Moffat and Michael O’Halloran replacing Iain Wilson and Kian Taylor. 

The Dons sprayed the ball around nicely in the opening exchanges, but it wasn’t until the 14th minute that they really worried the hosts. Alexander Jensen got in behind the defence to collect a lovely clipped pass from Palaversa, but his first touch on the corner of the six-yard box was slightly loose, forcing him to pull the ball back rather than shoot, and the chance was gone. 

There were claims from Morton for a penalty on 22, O’Halloran thumping the ball into Alfie Dorrington’s hand from a yard away, the referee rightly waving away the appeals. Adeloye went down needing treatment almost immediately afterwards and though he initially continued, in the 28th minute he was replaced by Taylor. 

A marauding run forward by Dorrington after 29 minutes got him all the way into the penalty area before feeding Jensen. His cross reached Morris, but his shot was blocked. A minute later, Nicolas Milanovic was away on the right and crossed for Adil Aouchiche, but his header provided a simple save for Storer. 

The goal was coming though, and it arrived on 32 minutes, the skipper doing the job. Aouchiche took a corner on the left, arrowing it into the near post, where Heltne Nilsen got up above his marker to glance a perfectly placed header across goal and into the far corner. The Dons’ first goal of the season, and Heltne Nilsen’s first ever for the club. 

It was 2-0 on 37, and Kusini Yengi followed Heltne Nilsen’s example to grab his first goal for Aberdeen. Molloy was persistent down the left to win possession, the ball dropping for Morris. His fierce shot was only parried by Storer, Milanovic following up and squaring for Yengi to tap in from close range. 

Palaversa went down following a thumping challenge from Delaney in the 40th minute, the midfielder getting gingerly back to his feet after treatment. Delaney was booked for the foul.

HALF-TIME: GREENOCK MORTON 0 ABERDEEN 2

Morton started the second half on the front foot without creating anything of note, before Taylor went down injured after 53 minutes. He was replaced by Wilson, Morton replacing O’Halloran with Shaw at the same time. Morris needed treatment for Aberdeen just before the hour and he made way for Fletcher Boyd, Topi Keskinen coming on at the same time for Milanovic.

Aberdeen should have wrapped it up in the 62nd minute, Morton giving the ball away on the edge of their area. Keskinen had the first chance but Storer pushed that effort away. The ball reached Boyd on the edge of the box, Storer across well to his right to make a second save from the youngster’s shot. 

Shinnie replaced Palaversa on 66 minutes, Aouchiche making way for Leighton Clarkson. Molloy hobbled off nine minutes later, to be replaced by Devlin. The Dons were in cruise control, content with keeping possession by now, managing the game, though Devlin was booked for a late tackle on 78 minutes.

It was 3-0 within seconds of that, a glorious finish from Clarkson that deserved a far bigger stage than Cappielow. Keskinen’s through ball had Clarkson away beyond the defence and as Storer came to meet him, a deft chip with the outside of the right boot curled the ball over and around him and into the net. Garrity and McKay immediately replaced Moffat and Crawford for Morton. 

Keskinen wasn’t far away from a fourth on 84, his drive from the edge of the box taking a deflection and looping over Storer before thumping off the top of the crossbar. That was the final action of note as Aberdeen wrapped up a very straightforward victory. 

4 minutes added at end 1st half.
1 minute added at end 2nd half.