MATCH PREVIEW: Alloa Athletic
Alloa Athletic versus MORTON
Saturday 21 December 2019
Recreation Park. Alloa
Kick-off 3.00pm
by Ewan Boyle
Scene Setter
As the Christmas season approaches, it’s an important match at Alloa for Morton as the Ton play The Wasps for the first time since their 4-1 victory over Peter Grant’s side at the beginning of the season.
With 3 away defeats in a row, Alloa will be going to avenge their woes with a first home match in three games in the league.
After Saturday’s fixture against Queen of the South at Cappielow was postponed, the Ton’s previous result was a 2-1 defeat against league leaders Dundee United which Morton were unlucky not to earn a point in.
Current Connections
Striker Robert Thomson spent the first half of the 2012/13 season on loan with then-Second Division Alloa before returning to Dundee United. He has since returned to Alloa permanently after two years at Morton where he scored 7 goals for the Ton.
Iain Flannigan arrived at Cappielow in March of 2012 playing 4 times however a broken arm caused the midfielder to never reach his full potential at the Sinclair Street side.
Defender Scott Taggart was very prominent in Morton’s 2012/13 season as the Ton were beaten to the Scottish First Division title by Partick Thistle. Taggart made 72 appearances at the club and was a regular for the Ton side in his seasons at the club.
Alloa’s captain Andy Graham had previously played with the Greenock side over 25 times and had been a lifelong supporter of the club.
Head to Head
Sat 10 Nov 2018: Morton 0-2 Alloa Athletic (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 12 Jan 2019: Alloa Athletic 2-1 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Tue 9 Apr 2019: Morton 1-2 Alloa Athletic (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 10 Aug 2019: Morton 4-1 Alloa Athletic (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Round
Morton got a well-deserved win in their previous fixture as the Cappielow side ran out 4-1 winners against Alloa Athletic after a masterclass from Bob McHugh in which he scored a memorable hat-trick in the victory.
The Ton got off to a cracking start on 5 minutes as Nicky Cadden collected the ball on the left side of the box and played a driven cross into the box which Bob McHugh was able to nip in front of the Alloa defender and get a foot to the ball which gave Morton the first goal of the game.
A magnificent goal from Reece Lyon and another from Bob McHugh sent Morton well on their way to a fantastic victory.
But it would be Bob McHugh who had a moment which both himself and Morton fans will remember as he was able to get his first ever career hat-trick when he scored a Rivaldo-esque goal after a cross into the box by Aidan Nesbitt was chested into the air by McHugh which set up a great opportunity for an overhead kick which the striker was able to finish off and round off a 5-star day for the player.
This completed a comfortable win for Morton in their first match of their 2019/20 Ladbrokes Championship campaign.
Officials
Referee: Kevin McClancy
Assistant one: David Roome
Assistant two: Steven Traynor
Fan File
Entry is pay at the gate. Admission prices are:
Adults: £20
Concession (Over 65): £15
Under-16s: £5
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 1pm sharp and pick ups are available en-route. Costs are £14 for adults and £12 for concessions.
- The Greenock Morton Supporters Club bus leaves the club at 1.15pm sharp with pick ups en-route. Visitors costs are £9 for adults and £7 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.
