Morton 5-0 Dunfermline Athletic: Hosts thrash relegation rivals in Imrie's first home game
- Published
Robbie Muirhead (right) scored Morton's fifth in a sobering afternoon for Dunfermline
Greenock Morton boss Dougie Imrie celebrated his first home game in charge with a thumping victory over relegation rivals Dunfermline Athletic.
Gary Oliver opened the scoring with a terrific 25-yard shot before Cameron Blues' similar strike finished off excellent work by Gavin Reilly.
Reilly then notched a first-half third for Morton with a glancing header.
Coll Donaldson headed into his own net after the break before Robbie Muirhead lobbed in a fifth for the hosts.
The substitute was sent over the top by Brian McLean and chipped over the helpless Owain Fon Williams in the Dunfermline goal.
A first home win of the season moves Morton up to eighth, leapfrogging their fellow strugglers, who are now bottom of the table.
The victory presents a much-needed three points and also improves Imrie's side's goal difference, which may become crucial towards the end of the campaign.
Morton manager Dougie Imrie: "It's a massive win and if we play like that most weeks, we'll be fine. I asked the players to work their socks off and put balls in the box and they got the rewards.
"It was important to get that first home win and now we have to build on it."
Dunfermline manager John Hughes: "First and foremost, there is a real embarrassment about it. In terms of the fundamentals; the desire, putting your body on the line for the cause, pride in wanting to win, I think we're just a little bit short. That could be a lack of confidence.
"This might be the best thing that's happened to us. Since I came in we went up, plateaued and now we're down. If today brings us together with a siege mentality then next week gives us the fuel to prove it. If you can't do that, you shouldn't be putting the strip on."