Match Preview: Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic versus MORTON
Saturday 20 January 2018
East End Park, Dunfermline
Kick-off 3pm
Match Preview
Morton take a break from league duties with a William Hill Scottish fourth round cup tie against Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park this afternoon.
Although the magic of the cup adds an extra level of anticipation to this game against the Pars, Ton will now face today’s opponents at least five times this term.
The head-to-head record is favourable, though, with one Ton win, a remarkable 3-2 victory after going 2-0 behind at Cappielow, and a 1-1 draw in Fife just over a month later.
However, the Ton have not quite been firing on all cylinders of late, and find themselves without a win in 2018 following back-to-back 1-1 draws with St Mirren and Brechin City followed by last week’s 1-0 loss to Falkirk.
Greenock gaffer Jim Duffy has identified a need for his side to both start matches better and be more productive and ruthless in front of goal, admitting they simply don’t score enough goals.
To that end, he has brought creative attacking midfielder Frank Ross on board, and, while he is keen not to pile responsbility on the teenager’s shoulders, feels the Aberdeen loanee could add a spark in the final third.
Dons boss Derek McInnes has given permission for Ross to play in the competition, and he is likely to be joined in the matchday squad by new goalkeeper Conor Brennan after his registration was approved yesterday.
But no matter who plays on the day, the target for the Ton is to ensure that they progress at Allan Johnston’s side’s expense and secure their spot in tomorrow’s fifth round draw.
Manager’s Thoughts
Team News
Long-term absentees Lee Kilday and Jamie McGowan are out, while Ricki Lamie (hamstring) and Robert Thomson (groin) have been rated 50/50 by manager Jim Duffy.
However, Jai Quitongo and Ross Forbes are back in contention after recovering from injuries, and new signings Frank Ross and Conor Brennan are fully registered and available for selection.
Current Connections
Ross Forbes made the switch from East End Park to Cappielow midway through the 2014/15 season in a deal that saw striker Andy Barrowman move in the opposite direction.
Frontman Robert Thomson spent a short time with the Pars in the first half of the 2013/14 campaign, scoring one goal in seven starts and one substitute appearance before joining Brechin City.
Dunfermline boast former Ton loan star Declan McManus amongst their ranks. McManus enjoyed three seperate stints at Cappielow, finishing as top scorer in the League One title winning season with 23 goals.
The Pars recently signed goalkeeper Lee Robinson on a short-term deal, and the 31-year-old Englishman will be familiar to Ton fans from the 24 starts he made whilst on loan from Rangers in season 2007/08.
Recent Meetings
Sat 25 Mar 2017: Morton 0-1 Dunfermline Athletic (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 29 Apr 2017: Dunfermline Athletic 3-1 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 9 Sep 2017: Morton 3-2 Dunfermline Athletic (Ladbrokes Championship)
Tue 21 Nov 2017: Dunfermline Athletic 1-1 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Out
Forward Gary Oliver picked the perfect time to open his account for the campaign by equalising away at Dunfermline Athletic back in November as Morton came from behind to pick up a point at East End Park.
Pars striker Andy Ryan had fired his side in front after a slice of good fortune presented him with a golden opportunity to open the scoring, which he duly did.
But Oliver grabbed the goal the Ton deserved to restore parity before the break and find the net for the first time in 10 months, since bagging a brace away at Ayr United back in January 2017.
Officials
Referee: Alan Muir
Assistant one: Graham McNeillie
Assistant two: Alan Macfadyen
Supporters Notes
Morton fans will be housed in the East Stand. Entry is by ticket and these are available at a kiosk located outside the stand.
Please note that the kiosk will be busy and you should arrive in plenty of time to purchase tickets and the kiosk is cash only.
Adults: £15
Concessions (Over 60s, Under 18s, full-time students, disabled and unemployed*): £10
Child 12 and under: £5
*Please note that ID may be required for all concession tickets (valid matriculation cards, birth certificates, passport or official documentation.
Fans under the influence of alcohol will not be admitted and all bags will be searched with random persons searching undertaken.
Surfing flags are not permitted and any other flags will be checked to ensure that they are not offensive or derogatory.
Offensive behaviour will not be tolerated as per club/SPFL regulations and is a condition of entry. Anyone not complying with those regulations will be ejected and may involve action being taken by the police.
Travel
Travel by Road: East End Park, Dunfermline, Halbeath Road, Dunfermline, KY12 7RB.
A8/M8 – M80 – M876 over Kincardine Bridge – A985 – A994 – A907 Pittencrief Street/Carnegie Drive/Appin Crescent to Halbeath Road. There are no planned roadworks but check the trafficscotland.org website prior to leaving.
Travel by Rail: Greenock – Dunfermline Town station via Glasgow Central, Queen Street, Haymarket, Edinburgh. Journey time varies from 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes. There is a 15-minute walk to the ground.
Parking
Car and coach parking: Main car park via Leys Park Road behind north stand. Prices are coaches: £7, cars: £2.
Travel Club Info
- The Gourock Morton Supporters’ bus to Dunfermline leaves the Royalle Club in Gourock at 12.30pm and pick ups are available en-route. Costs are £10 for adults and £8 for concessions.
- Please note there are limited spaces left available.
- The Greenock Morton Supporters Club bus to Dunfermline for tomorrow’s match leaves the club at 12.45pm with pick ups available en-route. Visitors costs are £10 for adults and £8 for concessions.
- The Port Glasgow Morton Travel Club bus to Dunfermline leaves the Sutherland Bar at 12.30pm. Members are reminded that as this is a cup game, they have to book their seats.
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- Anyone looking for seats should leave a message on Facebook or contact Bryan on 07969760291.
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Image: David Bell
