Match Preview: Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic versus MORTON
Saturday 17 March 2018
East End Park, Dunfermline
Kick-off 3pm
Match Preview
Morton meet Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park tomorrow in a Ladbrokes Championship encounter that has the potential to prove significant in the battle for promotion play-off places.
The fixture sees the clubs sat fourth and fifth in the table go head to head in the Kingdom of Fife with four points separating them prior to kick-off.
A Pars win would mean that Morton’s advantage had been cut to a solitary point on top of having already played one game more than their opponents.
However, should the Ton triumph on enemy territory then the gap would be stretched to a not insignificant seven points, while a share of the spoils would suit Dundee United and Queen of the South.
Recent history is certainly on the Cappielow club’s side having won three, including a 2-1 victory on their last visit to Dunfermline, and drawn one of the four meetings in all competitions thus far this term.
That record, though, is surely something Allan Johnston’s men will be keen to address, ensuring that the Sinclair Street side will have to be on top of their game if they are to augment their play-off aspirations tomorrow.
Manager’s Thoughts
Team News
Lee Kilday, Jamie McGowan, Ross Forbes, Robert Thomson, and Jai Quitongo remain sidelined through injury, but Michael Doyle is available for selection after serving a one-match suspension at Livingston.
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 apperarance 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 signed goalkeeper Lee Robinson on a short-term deal in January, 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 9 Sep 2017: Morton 3-2 Dunfermline Athletic (Ladbrokes Championship)
Tue 21 Nov 2017: Dunfermline Athletic 1-1 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 20 Jan 2018: Dunfermline Athletic 1-2 Morton (William Hill Scottish Cup, fourth round)
Sat 3 Feb 2018: Morton 2-1 Dunfermline Athletic (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Out
Gary Oliver scored a last-minute winner against Dunfermline Athletic at Cappielow last month to fire Morton to a third consecutive victory and up into the Ladbrokes Championship promotion play-off places.
Sunderland loanee Tom Beadling marked his Pars debut by opening the scoring, but Michael Tidser hit back with a beautifully taken volley eight minutes before the break.
And just as they had in the Scottish Cup two weeks earlier, Jim Duffy’s men struck a fatal blow right at the death, Oliver sweeping home Bob McHugh’s intelligent square pass to snatch all three points.
The forward’s fine finish sparked bedlam on the pitch and in the stands, and meant that the Ton had recorded a hat-trick of successive successes in all competitions.
Officials
Referee: Andrew Dallas
Assistant one: David Roome
Assistant two: Chris Phillips
Supporters Notes
Admission prices are:
Adults: £18
Concessions (Over 60s, Under 18s, full-time students, disabled and unemployed*): £12
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.
Morton fans will be housed in the East Stand. Entry will be by ticket, which can be purchased on matchday at the away end ticket pod or club shop.
This includes disabled access. There are six spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis and access to the stadium is via the East Stand.
Fans under the influence of alcohol will not be admitted. Bags will be searched and random-person searches undertaken. Surfing flags are not permitted and other flags will be checked to ensure they’re not offensive.
Offensive behaviour will not be tolerated as per club and SPFL regulations, and is a condition of entry. Anyone not complying with those regulations will be ejected and this 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 on the route 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 sharp and pick ups are available en-route. Costs are £10 for adults and £8 for concessions.
- You can sbook a seat by leaving a message at https://www.facebook.com/AHMSC/ or texting 07517045005.
- 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 (OAPS/U-16s) for concessions.
- The Port Glasgow Morton Travel Club’ bus to Dunfermline leaves the Sutherland Bar at 12.30pm
- You can book a seat by leaving a message on Facebook or contacting Bryan on 07969760291.
Image: David Bell
