Match report: St Johnstone U18s 1 Morton 0

Our under-18s ground out a hugely-important victory against Morton in the CAS League on Friday evening.

In what was a close battle throughout on the McDiarmid Park astroturf, Filip Franczak netted the only goal of the game in the 81st minute.

The 1-0 victory keeps the Perth youngsters’ momentum going heading into the final few matches of the campaign.

Morton had the first real sight of goal with 16 minutes on the clock but their forward, who suddenly saw space open up in front of him, fired wide of the mark.

Both teams were battling hard in testing, blustery conditions as the half progressed but there were few clear-cut opportunities to report.

Midfielder Ben McCrystal found himself in a couple of promising positions at the edge of the box but, whenever it came to pulling the trigger, his shots were blocked by a determined visiting rearguard.

Elsewhere, Fran Franczak had fancied his chances from distance but his well-struck effort sailed over the crossbar before, not too long after, striker Jacob Fleming directed past the post when Saints had turned possession over.

A low Morton delivery from the right flank on the stroke of half-time was a cause for concern but the referee’s whistle soon sounded and the teams headed in for their break with the score locked at 0-0.

Similarly to the first half, the second started with little goalmouth action although Morton were beginning to apply pressure in the final third.

Saints were denied the opener in the 55th minute when Murray Binnie was ruled offside. He had reacted quickest to follow in a Jacob Fleming header, which was saved.

Morton’s number nine had a wonderful opportunity to break the deadlock when he faced up goalkeeper Kyle Thomson as the half started to reach its latter stages. The shot, however, hit the outside of the post.

The Perth side were desperate to add three points to their total – and they would clinch them with little under 10 minutes remaining.

That was when brothers Fran Franczak and Filip Franczak linked-up, with the latter lifting high into the net from six yards out.

Saints defended resolutely late on to secure an important victory.