Match Preview | Alloa Athletic
Alloa Athletic versus MORTON
Saturday 12 January 2019
Indodrill Stadium, Alloa
Kick-off 3pm
Scene Setter
Morton head to Alloa Athletic today searching for a third consecutive Ladbrokes Championship victory following back-to-back wins over Partick Thistle and Ross County.
Jonatan Johansson’s side both ended 2018 and started the New Year by collecting maximum points from matches against struggling Jags and table-topping Staggies.
The last time they managed successive league successes, over Partick and Queen of the South back in November, they saw their hopes of a hat-trick dashed by today’s opponents.
Jim Goodwin’s Wasps, currently in the midst of an impressive five-game unbeaten run, won 2-0 at Cappielow thanks to two penalties, and the Ton will be intent on avoiding a repeat at the Indodrill Stadium as they bid for three in a row
Gaffer’s Thoughts
Team News
Denny Johnstone (knee) and Gary Oliver (broken collar bone) remain sidelined, and while there are injury doubts over goalkeepers Derek Gaston and Ryan Scully, they are expected to be available for selection.
Connor Bell, Ruaridh Langan, and Scott Tiffoney have all departed since the last fixture, and Ben Armour and Lewis Strapp have gone out on loan.
New recruit Dylan Dykes is eligible to feature at the Indodrill Stadium and goes straight into manager Jonatan Johansson;s matchday squad.
Morton Milestones and Significant Stats
1 – Kerr Waddell scored both his first league goal and his first goal at Cappielow against Ross County.
1 – Morton have lost just one of their last five Ladbrokes Championship fixtures.
2 – Morton have won their last two Ladbrokes Championship fixtures.
8 – Striker McHugh is Morton’s top scorer this term with eight goals in 20 starts and six substitute appearances.
11 – Midfielder Michael Tidser is Morton’s top creator with 11 direct assists in 25 starts.
Current Connections
Striker Robert Thomson spent the first half of the 2012/13 season on loan with then-Second Division Alloa, scoring four goals in 15 appearances before returning to Dundee United.
The Wasps count three former Ton players as squad members in captain Andy Graham, who played with his boyhood club in season 2011/12, right-back Scott Taggart, and former Cappielow youth player Alan Trouten.
Head to Head
Tue 9 Feb 2016: Alloa Athletic 2-2 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 19 Mar 2016: Morton 4-1 Alloa Athletic (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 11 Aug 2018: Alloa Athletic 0-2 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 10 Nov 2018: Morton 0-2 Alloa Athletic (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Round
Morton suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Alloa Athletic at Cappielow in November after the visitors successfully converted two second-half penalties.
In a goalless and frustrating first 45 minutes, Bob McHugh saw a ‘goal’ ruled out due to Kerr Waddell’s challenge on Neil Parry and skipper Jim McAlister saw a clear-cut chance saved by the Wasps goalkeeper.
But the Sinclair Street side never looked much like breaking the deadlock after the interval and conceded twice in the final 20 minutes, with both goals coming from the spot.
Former Ton youth Alan Trouten sent Derek Gaston the wrong way after Gregor Buchanan was adjudged to have fouled Dario Zanatta in the 73rd minute.
While that decision was keenly contested – Michael Tidser picked up a booking for dissent following his protestations – the second award was hotly disputed.
Reghan Tumilty’s pull on Jake Hastie appeared to occur outside the box, but whistler Colin Steven gave a second penalty rather than a free-kick and Iain Flannigan made it count by tucking the ball past Gaston from 12 yards.
Officials
Referee: David Lowe
Assistant one: Douglas Ross
Assistant two: George King
Fan File
Entry is pay at the gate. Admission prices are:
Adults: £17
Concession (Over 65): £9
Under-16s: £4
Morton fans will entry the stadium at turnstiles in Hilton Road, at the rear of the KFC fast food restaurant.
Fans under the influence of alcohol will not be admitted and are liable to arrest. All bags will be searched, with person searching undertaken. Please arrive early as searching will cause delays.
Surfing flags are not permitted and any other flags will be checked to ensure that they are not offensive or derogatory. Alloa Athletic have a policy on unacceptable conduct and behaviour which will be fully enforced.
Please note, Alloa will allow a drum into the stadium. It must be presented to a steward for inspection prior to entry.
If the use of the drum is causing a disturbance and affecting fan behaviour then it will be removed from the individual until the end of the match.
Disabled Access
Enter stadium at main stand, where there is a communal viewing area which is under cover. Alternatively, there will be access to the away section which is uncovered. Please speak with steward on arrival.
Disabled person and one carer are admitted free on production of DLA evidence.
Travel
By Road: Alloa Athletic Football Club, Recreation Park, Clackmannan Road, Alloa, FK10 1RY
A8 – M8 – M80 (Stirling) – left fork for M876 – merge onto M9 – exit at junction 7 (M876) – A977 – Alloa Road (B910) – first exit onto A907 – Clackmannan Road.
Please note, there is a short, local diversion on approach to Alloa through Kennet and Clackmannan. There should be no delays but will add approximately three minutes to your journey. Diversion signs are in place.
By Rail:Greenock – Glasgow Central – Glasgow Queen Street – Alloa. Train time two hours and 17 minutes. The stadium is five to 10 minute walk to stadium.
Parking
Car parking:Morrison’s supermarket car park (please use left-hand side on entering) or town centre car parks, for which there is no charge.
Coach parking: Free parking available in nearby Panmure Street. Please note, there is no drop off or pick up at the stadium.
Travel Club Info
- The Gourock Morton Supporters’ bus leaves the Royalle Club in Gourock at 1.15pm sharp and pick ups are available en-route. Costs are £10 for adults and £8 for concessions.
- The Greenock Morton Supporters Club bus leaves the club at 1pm sharp with pick ups en-route. Visitors costs are £10 for adults and £8 for concessions.
- The Port Glasgow Morton Travel Club still have seats available on the bus for tomorrow’s match, which leaves the Sutherland Bar at 1.30pm.
Image: Gary Bradley
