Match Preview | Alloa Athletic
Alloa Athletic versus MORTON
Saturday 11 August 2018
Indodrill Stadium, Alloa
Kick-off 3pm
Scene Setter
Morton are off on their travels for the first time this term as they go head to head with newly-promoted Alloa Athletic at the Indodrill Stadium tomorrow in the 2018/19 Ladbrokes Championship’s second round of fixtures.
Ray McKinnon’s men kicked off proceedings with a rollercoaster opening-day draw at home to Queen of the South, picking up a point after looking to have all three in the bag when they surged into a two-goal lead.
Michael Tidser and Ross MacLean looked to have set the Ton on course for victory, but the Doonhamers fought back to claim a share of the spoils.
It almost goes without saying that the Sinclair Street side would forgo another exciting 90 minutes for a straightforward three points against the Wasps.
But if their narrow defeat away at much-fancied Ross County – suffered in agonising circumstances due to the Staggies scoring with two minutes left – is anything to go by, a stiff challenge awaits in Clackmannanshire.
Gaffer’s Thoughts
Team News
Denny Johnstone (knee) and Lewis Strapp (toe) remain sidelined but Robert Thomson edged closer to a full return with a 45-minute runout in a bounce game on Monday.
Motherwell loanee Ross MacLean was subbed after 73 minutes of last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Queen of the South due to a tight hamstring but is expected to be available for selection.
Scott Tiffoney is eligible to play after returning to the club on loan from Livingston, but he is short of match sharpness having not yet featured in a competitive fixture so far this season.
Morton Milestones and Significant Stats
1 – Midfielder Kyle Thomson could make his first appearance for the club.
1 – Scott Tiffoney could make his first appearance of the season after returning on loan from Livingston.
4 – A win or draw would see Morton go four competitive fixtures unbeaten.
4 – Michael Tidser is Ton’s top scorer and creator this term, with four goals and three assists in five starts.
65 – Derek Gaston could record his 65th clean sheet should he start and keep Alloa out.
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
Sat 29 Aug 2015: Alloa Athletic 0-1 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 24 Oct 2015: Morton 1-0 Alloa Athletic (Ladbrokes Championship)
Tue 9 Feb 2016: Alloa Athletic 2-2 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 19 Mar 2016: Morton 4-1 Alloa Athletic (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Round
Morton briefly moved to within four points of play-off rivals Raith Rovers with a 4-1 win over Alloa Athetic at Cappielow back at the tail end of the 2015/16 season.
With the fourth-placed Kirkcaldy club hosting Hibs at Stark’s Park in a 5.15pm kick-off, Ton could have cut into their seven-point lead with a victory over the basement boys.
A Declan McManus double, a Jason Marr own goal, and a solitary strike from Denny Johnstone, who is now back on the Ton books, were enough to successfully achieve that objective.
Officials
Referee: Alan Newlands
Assistant one: Stuart Stevenson
Assistant two: Ross Menzies
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 carparks, 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, which is now FULL, leaves the club at 1.15pm with pick ups en-route. Visitors costs are £8 for adults and £6 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
