Match Preview: Dumbarton
Dumbarton versus MORTON
Saturday 5 August 2017
The YOUR Radio 103FM Stadium, Dumbarton
Kick-off 3pm
Match Preview
Morton cross the Clyde tomorrow to take on Dumbarton at the newly renamed YOUR Radio 103FM Stadium in the opening fixture of the 2017/18 Ladbrokes Championship campaign.
Jim Duffy’s side warmed up for the big kick-off with four Betfred Cup ties. They were ultimately unsuccessful in their attempt to make it out of Group F and into the knockout phase of the competition.
However, they ended on something of a positive note with a comprehensive 5-0 victory against Edinburgh City at Cappielow, and they will head into this match against the Sons in positive frame of mind.
Stevie Aitken’s side, meanwhile, finished bottom of their League Cup section and so will be looking to kickstart their season when the Ton come to town.
Manager’s Thoughts
Jim Duffy told gmfc.net: “I think everybody looks forward to the league campaign starting. It’s where you’re judged, ultimately, in terms of your consistency over the whole season.
“That’s where players really earn their stripes. You can have a one-off game in a cup competition and get a lot of publicity for it.
“But it’s that week in, week out consistency in a very competitive league that really is the test of whether you’re a good side or not.
“You’re always trying to move forward, trying to improve, trying to improve the quality of the football and the club in all aspects.
“And I think Morton is moving forward in a lot of areas, both on and off the pitch, but ultimately you’re judged by each season – not your last season. The season ahead is what’s important.
“For us it’s about trying to maintain our level of performance. We know it will be difficult. Last year, no one spoke about us too much until the tail end of the season. This year people will be a lot more aware of us.
“To go to Dumbarton is another step up; they’re a notoriously difficult side to play against. Stevie does a fantastic job there and it’ll be an extremely competitive match.”
Team News
Defenders Lee Kilday and Thomas O’Ware are still missing, although O’Ware has returned to light training this week as he builds towards participating in bounce games.
Ricki Lamie, however, could be involved in the matchday squad after a scan revealed he had not suffered any serious damage to his Achilles and joined in with full training this week.
Gary Oliver is over his recent virus but is not yet 100 per cent and unlikely to be involved. Darren Barr is out with a one-match ban from his time with the Sons, while Gary Harkins serves the second of a two-match suspension.
Current Connections
Two of Morton’s summer signings came straight from Dumbarton, with striker Robert Thomson and player/under-20s coach Darren Barr on the Sons’ books last season.
Midfielder Ross Forbes spent time on loan with the Sons as a teenager during the second half of the 2008/09 season, helping them lift the Third Division title.
Dumbarton boss Stevie Aitken enjoyed eight seasons as a player at Cappielow, making 97 starts, 34 substitute appearances and scoring five goals.
Recent Meetings
Sat 20 August 2016: Morton 1-1 Dumbarton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 12 Nov 2016: Dumbarton 0-2 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 7 Jan 2017: Morton 2-1 Dumbarton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 1 April 2017: Dumbarton 1-0 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Out
Morton slipped down to third in the Ladbrokes Championship in April following a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to Dumbarton at the then-named Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium.
In the conclusion to a memorable seven-day period in which they lost their first home game in just under a year before securing a fine point at Hibs, a Lewis Vaughan strike was enough to earn the Sons victory.
Officials
Referee: Steven Kirkland
Assistant one: Andrew McWilliam
Assistant two: Barry Reid
Supporters Notes
Admission prices are:
Adults: £20
Concessions (Proof of entitlement required): £12
Parent and Child (Under-12): £28
Morton supporters should use turnstiles 3 and 4 at the west end of the stadium. Access arrangements for disabled supporters and their carers will be via the main entrance, with admission £12 and no charge for carer.
Parent and child tickets – home and visiting fans – will be sold from a window in the community suite at the home end of the stadium.
Dumbarton, as a condition of entry, will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour at their stadium. Full details of what constitutes unacceptable behaviour can be found on their website, www.dumbartonfootballclub.com
Dumbarton do not permit banners to be displayed in front of the stand. If space is available suitable banners may be displayed on the perimeter fence. This will be at the discretion of stewards who will assist as required.
Please note that the Brock Bowling Club will not be available to fans for this match.
Travel
Travel by Road: Post Code: G82 1JJ for Sat Nav users.
A8/M8 east to M8 Erskine Bridge (junction 30) and follow signs for A82 Crainlarich. At Milton (A82) merge left onto Glasgow Road (A814). Turn left at Castle Road to stadium car park.
Travel by Rail: Greenock to Glasgow Central – Glasgow Central to Partick (Platform 2) – Partick to Dumbarton East.
Total journey time approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. It is a five minute walk to stadium.
Parking
Official car park around the stadium is for both cars and coaches. There is also on-street parking in residential areas near stadium.
Travel Club Info
The Gourock Morton Supporters’ bus for Dumbarton leaves the Royalle Club, St John’s Road in Gourock at 1.45pm and pick ups are available en-route. The coach is now FULL.
The Greenock Morton Supporters Club bus to Dumbarton leaves the club at 1.45pm with pick ups en-route. If you would like a seat on the bus, please phone Marton on 07958080010.
Alternatively, you can book seats through Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GMSCTravel or Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/GMSCTravel.
Image: David Bell
