Match Preview | Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic versus MORTON
Saturday 27 April 2019
East End Park, Dunfermline
Kick-off 3pm
Scene Setter
Morton make what they hope will be their final away journey of the season when they travel through to Fife to face Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park tomorrow.
Partick Thistle’s midweek win at Ayr United saw the Jags jump from ninth up to sixth – above the Ton – and compressed the pack desperately fighting to avoid finishing in the bottom two places.
With two games left to play, five clubs – from the Pars in fifth to Falkirk at the bottom – find themselves in peril and in desperate need of points to secure safety.
The Ton could conceivably finish the day in fifth place with a victory, while a defeat combined with results going against them elsewhere could see them drop into the relegation play-off place.
It all adds up to another tense weekend in the Ladbrokes Championship,but Jonatan Johansson and his players will be confident they can embrace the pressure just as they did at Falkirk last weekend.
Gaffer’s Thoughts
He told www.gmfc.net: “You do look at the table and other results, but the main thing for me is focusing on our own game. I know that’s not what the press want to hear, but it’s in our own hands to do the business.
“It’s massive for us that it’s in our own hands. Falkirk are bottom and they almost have to get favours from other teams, but we have it in our own hands.
“We have two huge games, two cup finals, and we need to do it ourselves. I totally believe that we can do it. Confidence-wise, performance-wise, it has been good lately.
“But history is no guarantee that you will do well in your next game, especially because of the unpredictibality of the league and the tightness of all the teams.
“It’s a difficult away game. I know Dunfermline haven’t been on a great run, but they are a good team with good players.
“I think now after getting that win against Falkirk and a good performance against Inverness, we can look towards this game positively and aim to be as hard to beat as we were in those games.
“[The] rewards could be fifth place in the league and we have to aim towards that. On the other hand, we have to be mindful of the situation below us.”
Read the full interview here 👉 https://gmfc.net/2019/04/26/johansson-in-our-own-hands-to-do-the-business/
Team News
Denny Johnstone, Robert Thomson, and Kerr Waddell are out for the rest of the season, while Gary Oliver (shoulder) and Rory McKeown (calf) are expected to miss out.
Bob McHugh made a surprise return to action following a foot fracture as a late substitute in last weekend’s 2-0 win at Falkirk, but manager Jonatan Johansson feels it may still be too early for him to start.
Morton Milestones and Significant Stats
1 – Morton have lost just once in their last five fixtures, picking up three draws and one win.
2 – Morton are unbeaten in two matches following a 2-2 draw with Inverness C.T. and a 2-0 win at Falkirk.
3 – Greg Kiltie has now scored in three consecutive matches.
4 – Kiltie has scored four goals in his last five outings.
5 – Kiltie has scored five goals in 11 starts and one substitute appearance since joining on loan from Kilmarnock.
10 – Striker Bob McHugh is Morton’s top scorer this term with 10 goals in 24 starts and seven substitute appearances.
12 – Midfielder Michael Tidser is Morton’s top creator with 12 direct assists in 29 starts.
250 – Chris Millar will make his 250th appearance should he start or come off the bench at East End Park.
Current Connections
Goalkeeper Ryan Scully enjoyed two loan spells with the Pars, in seasons 2013/14 and 2014/15, and spent the first half of this term at Cappielow before returning to East End Park following his Ton release.
Defender Gregor Buchanan was a team-mate of Scully’s during the shot-stopper’s second campaign with Dunfermline and made 36 appearances in all competitions.
Competing with Scully for the No.1 spot will be Englishman Lee Robinson, who will be familiar to Ton fans from the 24 starts he made whilst on loan from Rangers in season 2007/08.
Frontman Robert Thomson spent a short time with tomorrow’s opponents in the first half of the 2013/14 campaign, scoring one goal in seven starts and one substitute apperarance before joining Brechin City.
Head to Head
Sat 17 Mar 2018: Dunfermline Athletic 0-0 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 22 Sep 2018: Morton 1-1 Dunfermline Athletic (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 1 Dec 2018: Dunfermline Athletic 3-0 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 26 Jan 2019: Morton 0-0 Dunfermline Athletic (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Round
Morton and Dunfermline Athletic could not be separated at Cappielow back in January as the clubs shared the spoils following a goalless draw.
Both teams had a point to prove in the aftermath of Scottish Cup exits at the hands of lower league opponents seven days earlier, and added to their respective squads prior to the fixture.
Greenock gaffer Jonatan Johansson brought striker Andrew Dallas and goalkeeper Robby McCrorie in on loan from Rangers, while Pars manager Stevie Crawford signed released Ton custodian Ryan Scully.
Both shot-stoppers would mark their respective debuts with clean sheets after going underworked over the course of 90 minutes lacking in cutting edge attacking play.
Officials
Referee: David Munro
Assistant one: Joseph Lawson
Assistant two: Colin McAlpine
Fan File
Admission prices are:
Adults: £18
Concession (Over 60, Student, Under 18s, Disabled and Unemployed): £12
Under-12: £5
Morton fans will be housed the East Stand.
Fans under the influence of alcohol will not be admitted and all bags will be searched, with random-persons searching undertaken. Surfing flags are not permitted and other flags will be checked to ensure that they are not offensive or derogatory.
Disabled Access
Accessible matchday tickets can be reserved via Dunfermline Athletic’s ticket office on 01383 745909.
In terms of parking, there are six dedicated parking spaces for disabled away fans behind the East Stand, available on a first come, first served basis. Enter the main car park via Leys Park Road and follow the stewards` directions.
Travel
By Road: Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, East End Park, Halbeath Road, Dunfermline, KY12 7RB
A8/M8 – M80 – M876 over Kincardine Bridge – A985 – A994 – A907 Pittencrief Street/Carnegie Drive/Appin Crescent to Halbeath Road.
By Rail:
Greenock – Dunfermline Town station via Glasgow Central, Queen Street, and Haymarket Edinburgh. Journey time varies from 2 hours, 30 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes. There is a 15-minute walk from the station to the ground.
Parking
Car and coach parking: Main car park via Leys Park Road behind north stand. Coaches – £7, Cars – £2.
Travel Club Info
- The Gourock Morton Supporters’ bus leaves the Royalle Club in Gourock at 12.15pm and pick ups are available en-route. Costs are £12 for adults and £10 for concessions.
- The Greenock Morton Supporters Club bus leaves the club at 12.15pm with pick ups en-route. Visitors costs are £12 for adults and £10 for OAPs and Under-16s.
- The Port Glasgow Morton Travel Club bus for tomorrow’s match leaves the Sutherland Bar at 12.30pm.
ALL THREE BUSES ARE NOW FULL.
Image: David Bell
