Match Preview | Arbroath
Scottish Championship
Saturday 30 January 2021
Cappielow Park
Kick-off 3pm
Scene Setter
Morton continue their run of games on home soil tomorrow afternoon as they welcome Arbroath to Greenock in the Scottish Championship.
The ‘Ton head into tomorrow’s game following a hard fought battle against Inverness on Wednesday night where Anton McElhone’s side came from behind to earn a vital point despite being down to 10 men.
Depending on results elsewhere, the Sinclair Street side could ascend back into a play-off position if they can secure all three points tomorrow and Greenock gaffer McElhone will be hoping for much of the same determination shown by his team’s second half performance on Wednesday to make that happen.
For Dick Campbell’s Red Lichties, they sit tenth in the league table and, much like Morton, will be looking to get their first win of the year to kick-start their fight to get out of the relegation zone.
Morton Milestones & Significant Stats
1 – Morton have only recorded 1 defeat in their last 5 matches at Cappielow.
3 – Kalvin Orsi and Cameron Blues are joint top goalscorers for the club this term with 3 goals each.
6 – The Sinclair Street side have won 6 of their last 9 meetings with Arbroath.
17 – The ‘Ton have scored 17 goals in all competitions so far this season.
275 – Chris Millar made his 275th appearance for Morton on Wednesday night against Inverness, coming on as a substitute in the second half. The midfielder has made a total of 250 starts and 25 substitute appearances over his two spells at the club.
Current Connections
Former Morton goalkeeper Derek Gaston signed for Arbroath in the summer of 2019 after a successful 7 years at Cappielow. Gaston, a fans’ favourite, made over 200 appearances and was a crucial part of the squad that lifted the League One trophy in 2015.
Bobby Linn signed for Morton in January 2007 scoring 2 goals in 22 appearances. A veteran of Scottish football, the forward then departed for East Fife in October 2007 and has since been at Arbroath from 2013.
Luke Donnelly came to Cappielow on loan from Celtic in the second half of 2016/17 season, making 7 appearances. After departing Celtic, the forward enjoyed spells at Queen’s Park and Stranraer before making his move to Arbroath in January last year.
Kris Doolan joined Arbroath in August following his short loan spell at Morton. The 33-year-old was hampered by an injury during his time with the ‘Ton and as a result, made only 1 appearance.
Head to Head
16 November 2019: Morton 1-0 Arbroath (Ladbrokes Championship)
4 January 2020: Arbroath 1-2 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
7 March 2020: Morton 1-1 Arbroath (Ladbrokes Championship)
14 Nov 2020: Arbroath 0-0 Morton (Scottish Championship)
Last Time Round
Morton played out a goal-less draw with Arbroath at Gayfield Park two months ago to secure their first point away from home in the Scottish Championship.
In a blustery 40mph wind, both teams found it hard to master the conditions and it was the home side who fashioned the first opportunity in the opening minutes when O’Brien got his head onto a free-kick but his attempt cleared the bar.
Once again, Lewis Strapp’s prowess from throw-ins was used as an attacking tool when he launched a shy into the box in the 11th minute that Markus Fjortoft cleverly knocked on but the incoming Brian McLean headed just over.
Luca Colville hit a superb strike from the set-piece and was extremely unlucky to see it thunder off the post beyond Arbroath goalkeeper Gaston, who recovered quickly to gather in the rebound.
Aidan McAdams was called into action just after the hour when he was forced to make his first save of the match from a Hamilton shot from the edge of the box. The resultant stop was cleared.
Into the last quarter of the game and with the ‘Ton still looking for a breakthrough and Strapp, this time direct from a corner-kick, saw his effort whack off the bar and out for a goal-kick as full-time arrived with both sides unable to separate each other.
Officials
Referee: David Dickinson
Assistant 1: Graeme Stewart
Assistant 2: Calum Doyle
‘TonTV Streaming Information
Tomorrow’s game will be available to watch live for £14 on ‘TonTV.
Supporters are asked to purchase in advance where possible to avoid any excessive online traffic before the coverage starts at 2.30pm.
Season ticket holders can view the game using the access codes that have been provided to them via e-mail or post.
Once logged onto the shop website, add the match to your basket and use your pass code in the section that says “apply coupon”.
In accordance with SFA guidelines and under advisement from Scottish Police, we respectfully ask that no supporter attempts to access a view of games from the car park adjacent to the stadium. To do so would put the Club in a hazardous position and may prompt action detrimental to the interests of the club.
Image: Gary Bradley
