Match Preview | Dunfermline Athletic
MORTON versus DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC
Scottish Cup
Tuesday 23 March 2021
Cappielow Park
Kick-off 7.45pm
Scene Setter
Morton set out on a road they hope will lead all the way to Hampden on 22 May 2021 when they enter the Scottish Cup at the second round stage with a home tie against Dunfermline this evening.
Gus MacPherson’s ‘Ton side head into the tie on the back of an incredible victory against Queen of the South on Saturday and the Greenock gaffer will be hopeful that his team can expand on the weekend’s performance with the view of a potential cup run on the horizon.
The Greenock side progressed to the fourth round last season and lost 3-0 to Premiership side St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.
Stevie Crawford’s Dunfermline fell to a 1-0 defeat against Inverness at the weekend and the Pars boss will be expecting an improved performance from his team this evening and will be hoping for an even better showing in the competition after exiting the cup in the third round last year, losing 1-0 to Stranraer.
Although the magic of the cup adds an extra level of anticipation to this game against the Pars, the ‘Ton get set to face this evening’s opponents for the fourth time this season.
Morton Milestones & Significant Stats
4 – Aidan Nesbitt is the top goalscorer for the club this term with a total of 4 goals.
23 – The ‘Ton have scored 23 goals in all competitions so far this season.
50 – Kyle Jacobs is two appearances off of making a landmark 50 appearances for the club.
120 – Gary Oliver made his 120th appearance for Morton on Saturday. The forward is currently enjoying his second spell at the club and scored the winning the goal in the ‘Ton’s victory against Queen of the South on Saturday.
Current Connections
Declan McManus joined Dunfermline for his second spell at the club last summer. The forward featured for the ‘Ton over two loan stints, the first from Aberdeen and second from Fleetwood Town scoring 28 goals in 54 appearances. McManus played a crucial part in the squad that lifted the League One trophy in 2015, scoring 20 league goals and was rewarded for his efforts by winning the PFA Player of the Year award.
Head to Head
Sat 11 Jan 2020: Morton 3-2 Dunfermline (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 12 Dec 2020: Dunfermline 1-2 Morton (Scottish Championship)
Fri 15 Jan 2021: Morton 0-0 Dunfermline (Scottish Championship)
Sat 13 Mar 2021: Dunfermline 1-0 Morton (Scottish Championship)
Last Time Round
Morton remained in sixth place in the Scottish Championship after losing 1-0 to Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park two weeks ago.
Craig Wighton denied Gus MacPherson of a winning start to his time at Morton by netting right before the half-time whistle to give the Pars all three points.
The hosts had the perfect opportunity to get in front from the spot kick on 20 minutes after Aidan McAdams brought down Scott Banks in the box. Craig Wighton stepped up and hit his penalty straight down the middle at McAdams who made a crucial double save, first from the penalty and secondly from the rebound by Wighton that was then tipped onto the bar.
Both sides had very little chances around the goal area throughout the majority of the first half and it looked like they would go in at the interval with the scoreline remaining level until the Pars managed to break the deadlock on 44 minutes. Stephen McGinn was dispossessed on the central circle by Don Thomas who charged towards the penalty area before passing to Scott Banks to dink into the unopposed Wighton in the centre of the box to head passed McAdams to make it 1-0.
Officials
Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant 1: Kylie McMullan
Assistant 2: Elliot Husband Powton
Streaming Information
Tonight’s game will be available to watch on ‘TonTV for £12 with the live stream coverage commencing at 7.25pm.*
Be sure to tune in before kick-off with match build-up from ‘The King of Cappielow’ Andy Ritchie and Gerry McDade as well as exclusive pre-match interviews.
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Image: Gary Bradley
