Match Preview | Partick Thistle
MORTON versus Partick Thistle
Saturday 3 November 2018
Cappielow Park, Greenock
Kick-off 3pm
Scene Setter
Morton are back on home turf today after two taxing away trips as we go head to head with Partick Thistle for the third time this term.
Although Ton have faced the Jags twice already this term, the two previous meetings offer little in the way of insight into how this afternoon’s Ladbrokes Championship fixture might go.
When the sides first clashed in a Betfred Cup tie at Firhill back in July, Alan Archibald and Ray McKinnon occupied the home and away dugouts, with the Jags boss picking up a narrow 2-1 win.
By the time the teams locked horns again on the 1 September, McKinnon had dropped a bombshell by taking the Falkirk job on the eve of the game, leaving Derek Anderson and John Sutton to fill in at short notice.
Jonatan Johansson was handed the reins shortly afterwards, while the Jags made the decision to replace Alan Archibald with Gary Caldwell after a slow start to the campaign following relegation from the top flight.
Those changes would certainly suggest that, despite the fact Partick have narrowly triumphed in the two previous meetings, there is little to be read into those results.
That’s not to mention that fact the Ton have been unpredictable from match to match regardless of opposition, as shown by following up a 5-0 thrashing at Ross County with a tenacious 2-1 triumph at Queen of the South.
Gaffer Johansson has emphasised the need to be more consistent – to put an end to the dramatic swings from agony to ecstasy – and picking up three points against Partick would be an ideal place to start.
Gaffer’s Thoughts
Team News
Teenage midfielder Reece Lyon joins Connor Bell, Denny Johnstone, Ben Armour and Scott Tiffoney on the injury list after seeing his knee swell up after 90 minutes on the artificial pitch at Queen of the South on Tuesday.
Chris Millar is still touch and go after suffering a groin injury during last Saturday’s match against Ross County in Dingwall and missing out in Dumfries. Robert Thomson, though, has an outside chance of being involved.
Morton Milestones and Significant Stats
1 – Reece Lyon, 18, scored his first senior goal on his first senior start at Queen of the South on Tuesday.
2 – Striker Bob McHugh has two goals in his last three appearances.
5 – McHugh netted his fifth goal of the season by opening the scoring at Palmerston on Tuesday.
6 – Michael Tidser is Ton’s top scorer this term, with six goals in 15 starts.
7 – Tidser is also Ton’s top creator with seven assists.
25 – Jack Iredale made his 25th appearance for the club in Tuesday’s fixture at Palmerston.
33 – Club captain Jim McAlister turned 33 yesterday.
Current Connections
After seven seasons of service at Cappielow and over 200 appearances, defender Thomas O’Ware moved to Partick Thistle earlier this summer.
O’Ware was followed by striker Jai Quitongo, who transferred to Firhill after a compensation agreement was reached between the clubs. In three seasons with the Ton, Jai scored 11 goals in 35 starts and 15 sub appearances.
Goalkeeper Ryan Scully headed in the opposite direction, signing a one-year contract with the Ton following a decade with the Firhill outfit.
Head to Head
Wed 10 Apr 2013: Partick Thistle 1-0 Morton (First Division)
Tue 26 Aug 2014: Morton 0-1 Partick Thistle (League Cup)
Tue 17 July 2018: Partick Thistle 2-1 Morton (Betfred Cup, Group E)
Sat 1 Sep 2018: Partick Thistle 1-0 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Round
Managerless Morton went down to a 1-0 defeat away at Partick Thistle at the beginning of September as they suffered their first loss of the 2018/19 Ladbrokes Championship season.
Despite a numbing 24-hour period in which Ray McKinnon and Darren Taylor dropped a bombshell by departing Cappielow, the players arrived in Maryhill determined not to let the shock events serve as a distraction.
Bossed by director of youth Derek Anderson, a former Ton defender who holds a UEFA Pro Licence, and head of development John Sutton and backed by 821 impassioned away fans, they went out and gave it their all.
Unfortunately, if understandably considering the circumstances, they left Glasgow empty handed due to Chris Erskine’s well-taken goal scored five minutes into the second half.
Although it barely registered on the Morton richter scale that day, Partick were bizarrely denied a second goal despite Kris Doolan’s curled shot clearly crossing the line after crashing down off the crossbar.
Officials
Referee: Steven McLean
Assistant one: Alastair Mather
Assistant two: Scott Anderson
Fan File
Admission prices are:
Adult | Fan Card: £18, Ticket: £20
Concession (Over 65, Student, and Under 21s) | Fan Card: £13, Ticket: £15
Child (12 – 17)^ | Fan Card: £5, Ticket: £5
Child (Under-12)* | Fan Card: £0, Ticket: £1
^Proof of entitlement must be provided for concessionary tickets, while proof of age is required for children between 12 and 17 and those between 18 and 20.
*Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Please note, prices apply irrespective of the day or time of purchase.
Supporters are asked to purchase in advance where possible in order to avoid excessive queues at the ticket office on a matchday.
Briefs can still be bought from the following outlets:
Smiths of Greenock – During opening hours, 9am – 5.30pm
Sinclair Street ticket office – Saturday matchdays from 11am to 3pm
Tickets can also be purchased in advance online at www.gmfctickets.co.uk or by calling the club on 01475 723571. These can be collected at the ticket office on matchday.
All home fixtures are also available to be pre-loaded onto fan cards via Interstadia’s dedicated club website, www.gmfctickets.co.uk.
Children Under-12 Go Free With Season Card and Fan Card
Children Under-12 in possession of a season card or fan card attend all home league fixtures free of charge, and parents are encouraged to sign their kids up for the campaign if they have not already done so.
Those children without a season card or fan card will be required to purchase a physical match ticket with scannable barcode at a cost of £1.
You can order or renew your child’s season ticket online by CLICKING HERE or by contacting club secretary Brendan McEleny on admin@gmfc.net or calling 01475 723571.
Away Fans
Travelling fans will be seated in sections F & G of the mainstand, with the terracing on the west side of the Cowshed also open and accessed via the Wee Dublin End turnstiles.
Image: Gary Bradley
