Match Preview | Alloa Athletic
MORTON versus Alloa Athletic
Tuesday 9 April 2019
Cappielow Park, Greenock
Kick-off 7.45pm
by Jonathan McQuillan
Scene Setter
Morton are back on home turf this evening as they host Alloa Athletic in the Ladbrokes Championship, a game that was originally scheduled for 16 March but was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
The Ton come into tonight’s game on the back of drawing with both Ayr United and Queen of the South last week and manager Jonatan Johansson will be hoping that his team can get back to winning ways heading into the last five games of the season.
Jim Goodwin’s Alloa will be looking to build on a massive few weeks which saw them beat Falkirk and league leaders Ross County. The Wasp’s sit bottom of the league table, joint on points with Partick Thistle, so a win tonight for them would be massive in their bid for survival in the league.
The Ton will be determined to put some space between the bottom five teams as currently only four points separate them all meaning tonight’s game could be pivotal going into the last remaining games.
Gaffer’s Thoughts
Speaking to GMFC.net Jonatan Johansson gave his thoughts ahead of tomorrow’s league encounter. He said: “It’s going to be a tough game, looking back against Alloa previously this season we know it’ll be a physical battle.
“They’re a team who make themselves hard to beat and try to hit opponents on the break. Our last two games have been incredibly tight with us conceding three penalties and a freaky own goal.
“We’re all well aware of how they play and what we have to do to cause them problems.
“We’ll more likely have more of the ball in front of our home crowd and will have to break down Alloa.
“For every club, games in the final stages of the season are vital, whether fighting relegation or aiming for promotion they’re tough matches to be played with very little to separate teams sometimes.
“Recently we’ve been creating a lot of chances, however now it’s up to us to start taking them”.
Team News
Denny Johnstone, Rory McKeown, Michael Tidser, Bob McHugh and Kerr Waddell will miss out through injury.
Defender Kerr Waddell is recovering from an ongoing issue which he has played through in the last couple of games and will be now assessed to see how quickly he can return.
Striker Bob McHugh and midfielder Michael Tidser continue their recovery as they look to return to the squad within the next few weeks.
Long term absentee Denny Johnstone has been involved in light training sessions and his progress will continue to be monitored as he tries to make a return to the match day squad before the end of the season.
Rory McKeown featured for the reserves yesterday afternoon as he looks to return to action over the coming weeks.
Morton Milestones and Significant Stats
10 – Striker Bob McHugh is Morton’s top scorer this term with ten goals in 24 starts and six substitute appearances.
12 – Midfielder Michael Tidser is Morton’s top creator with 12 direct assists in 28 starts.
100 – Striker Gary Oliver made his 100th appearance for the club against Ayr United last Tuesday night.
150 – Defender Lee Kilday made his 150th appearance for the club against Ross County on 9 March.
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 four former Ton players as squad members in captain Andy Graham, who played with his boyhood club in season 2011/12, right-back Scott Taggart, midfielder Iain Flannigan, and former youth player Alan Trouten.
Head to Head
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)
Sat 12 Jan 2019: Alloa Athletic 2-1 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Round
Despite an early goal from Chris Millar, Morton lost to Alloa in January after a second half penalty and a freak own goal secured all three points for the Wasp’s.
Former Ton youth Alan Trouten, who slotted home a spot-kick in Alloa’s previous 2-0 win at Cappielow last November, would prove successful again on this occasion, netting the ball past former Ton keeper Ryan Scully into the bottom-left corner.
Alloa found the match winner in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Kerr Waddell sliced a miscued clearance into his own net after Rory McKeown’s blocked clearance spun back along the bye-line towards goal.
Officials
Referee: Steven Kirkland
Assistant one: Graham Chambers
Assistant two: David McKniff
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: £1, 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 – Tuesday matchdays from 5pm to 7.45pm
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.
please note – Anyone who purchased a ticket for the game on it’s original date back in March can still use their ticket for entry tonight and will not require to get a replacement upon arriving at the ground.
Children Under-12 Go Free With Season Card
Children Under-12 in possession of a season 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 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.
