Match Preview: Dumbarton
Dumbarton versus MORTON
Tuesday 20 February 2018
The YOUR Radio 103FM Stadium, Dumbarton
Kick-off 7.45pm
Match Preview
Morton cross the Clyde tonight to take on Dumbarton at the YOUR Radio 103FM Stadium in a rescheduled Ladbrokes Championship fixture from 30 December last year.
The clubs have met since that original date, with Jim Duffy’s side emerging handsome 3-0 winners in the Scottish Cup fifth round tie at Cappielow 10 days ago.
They followed up that victory with a creditable 1-1 draw away at Queen of the South on Saturday to stretch their unbeaten run to five matches and push themselves up into the promotion play-off places.
The Sons, though, also come into the match in high spirits after achieving the fantastic feat of reaching the Irn-Bru Cup final by coming back from behind to beat Welsh outfit TNS 2-1.
In terms of the table, the hosts will be keen to claw back points on eighth-placed Falkirk, while Ton will be looking to strengthen their hand in the fight for a place in the top four. It’s all to play for in the shadow of the Rock tonight.
Manager’s Thoughts
Jim Duffy told gmfc.net: “Dumbarton got an outstanding result on Saturday night. It’s a great achievement to get to the [Irn-Bru Cup] final.
“It will certainly make for a positive atmosphere about the place. When you get a good result and a good performance, you go into the next game with a little bit more confidence and belief.
“So I think it will definitely add to their performance levels. That will make the game tougher, and they also have a number of players back who weren’t available for the cup tie.
“That makes them stronger as a team. It’s certainly a game where we’re going to be asked a number of questions, and the players have to respond to it again.
“I don’t think the cup game between us adds any incentive for them, and we’re the same. We can’t think about the last meeting; we have to focus on continuing to add to our points tally.
“The only way we can do that is with a much better performance than we did at Queen of the South. It was a good result, but a better result because the performance was so poor. We can’t be off the pace at that same level.”
Team News
Lee Kilday, Jamie McGowan, Ross Forbes, Robert Thomson, and Jai Quitongo all remain sidelined, while Jack Iredale also misses out after suffering an adductor injury against Queen of the South on Saturday.
Current Connections
Striker Robert Thomson made a direct move between the clubs in the summer, while midfielder Ross Forbes spent time on loan with the Sons as a teenager, helping them lift the 2008/09 Third Division title.
Dumbarton boss Stevie Aitken, meanwhile, enjoyed eight seasons as a player at Cappielow, making 97 starts, 34 substitute appearances and scoring five goals.
Recent Meetings
Sat 1 April 2017: Dumbarton 1-0 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 5 August 2017: Dumbarton 0-0 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 21 October 2017: Morton 1-1 Dumbarton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 10 Feb 2018: Morton 3-0 Dumbarton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Out
Morton booked their place in the quarter-finals of the William Hill Scottish Cup with a brilliant 3-0 win over Dumbarton at Cappielow 10 days ago.
Jim Duffy’s side went into the fifth round tie having failed to beat their Championship rivals in their two previous league meetings this term.
But goals from Frank Ross, his first for the club, Jack Iredale, and Bob McHugh saw the Cappielow club ease into the last eight in extremely impressive fashion.
Officials
Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant one: Willie Conquer
Assistant two: George King
Supporters Notes
Admission prices are:
Adults: £20
Concessions (Proof of entitlement required): £12
Parent and Child (Under-12)*: £28
*Parent & child can be purchased at the ticket window on the east side of stadium, which is signposted.
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.
Club stewards are trained and authorised to conduct searches as part of Dumbarton Football Club policy and conditions. Stewards may also be using body cameras.
Dumbarton, in accordance with regulation and as a condition of entry, will not tolerate instances of unacceptable behaviour at their stadium.
Full details of what constitutes unacceptable behaviour can be found on their official website at 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.
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 the stadium.
Image: David Bell
