Match Preview: Falkirk
Falkirk versus MORTON
Saturday 25 November 2017
The Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk
Kick-off 3pm
Match Preview
Morton travel to the Falkirk Stadium this afternoon for the second of two demanding Ladbrokes Championship away fixtures in the space of four days.
Hot on the heels of Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Dunfermline Athletic, Jim Duffy and his team head east again to take on a Bairns side now bossed by Paul Hartley.
The last time the clubs faced off, at Cappielow in September, interim manager Alex Smith steered the visitors to a surprise 1-0 win at Cappielow thanks to Ton old boy Joe McKee’s free-kick.
Experienced campaigner Smith was put in temporary charge after Peter Houston paid for a stuttering start to the Ladbrokes Championship campaign with his job.
Since then former Alloa Athletic and Dundee gaffer Hartley has been installed on a permanent basis, but the ex-Ton loan star is yet to taste victory since taking the reins in early October.
The Greenock men will want to make sure that Hartley has at least seven more days to wait for the chance to pick up three points by maintaining their own momentum.
A midweek draw at Dunfermline meant the Ton have lost just one of their last five, and Duffy insists a similar effort is required against a Falkirk bound to be fired up by Hartley after a defeat at Dundee United last Sunday.
Manager’s Thoughts
Team News
Lee Kilday, Connor McManus, and Jai Quitongo all miss out against Falkirk through injury, while Luca Gasparotto must sit out against his parent club due to an agreement as part of his emergency loan.
However, Michael Tidser is expected to make the matchday squad after recovering from an adductor injury suffered in training and that has seen him sit out Morton’s last four matches.
Current Connections
Falkirk’s Canadian central defender Luca Gasparotto is in the unique position of being on loan at Cappielow from today’s opponents. Luca also spent the 2015/16 season at Cappielow.
Former midfielder Joe McKee signed for the Bairns following his release by Carlisle United before penning a two-year extension at the end of last term.
Current Ton top scorer Bob McHugh swapped the Forth Valley for Greenock this summer after two successful seasons at the Falkirk Stadium, where Player-Under-20s boss Darren Barr began his career
Current Cappielow assistant manager Craig McPherson played for the Bairns between 2002 and 2006, finishing his career there and enjoying a stint as academy director.
Manager Jim Duffy was given his managerial break at Brockville when he was handed the reins back in 1988 at just 29 years old.
In the opposite dugout is Paul Hartley, who enjoyed a month on loan with the Ton in season 1999/00, scoring one goal, in a Renfrewshire derby, in three starts.
Recent Meetings
Sat 21 Jan 2017: Morton 2-0 Falkirk (William Hill Scottish Cup)
Sat 18 Feb 2017: Morton 2-2 Falkirk (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 18 Mar 2017: Falkirk 0-1 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 30 Sep 2017: Morton 0-1 Falkirk (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Out
Former player Joe McKee came back to haunt Morton by scoring the only goal of the game as Falkirk ran out 1-0 winners at Cappielow in September.
Midfielder McKee found the net with a long-range free-kick just after the hour as a disappointing second-half display saw Jim Duffy’s side slip to a home defeat against a Bairns side bossed by Alex Smith.
Smith had been appointed in the interim period after Peter Houston exited the Falkirk Stadium following a 2-0 home loss to Livingston that extended their winless start to the season to seven matches.
Officials
Referee: Greg Aitken
Assistant one: Jordan Stokoe
Assistant two: Euan Birch
Supporters Notes
Entry is pay at the gate and the admission prices are:
North stand, turnstiles 11 and 12. Fans will occupy sections D,E and F. Adult – £20, Concession (over 65 and student. Proof will be required) – £13, Under 18 – £7, Children under 12 – free if accompanied by adult.
Adults: £20
Concessions (Over 65s, Under 18s, full-time students*): £13
Child 12 and under: Free if accompanied by an adult
*Please note that proof will be required.
Morton fans will be housed in the North Stand, occupy sections D, E, and F, and enter via turnstiles 11 and 12. Disabled access is via the north/west gate of the main stand and admission is free.
Fans under the influence of alcohol will not be admitted and are liable to arrest. All bags will be searched, with random searches undertaken.
Surfing flags are not permitted and any other flags will be checked to ensure that they are not offensive or derogatory. Falkirk have a policy on unacceptable conduct and behaviour, which will be fully enforced.
Travel
Travel by Road: The Falkirk Stadium, 4 Stadium Way, Falkirk, FK2 2EE
A8/M8 – M80 – M876 – M9 and exit at junction six for BP Grangemouth – turn right at end of slip road to Earlsgate roundabout. The stadium is on the left. No major roadworks listed, but check trafficscotland.org for updates
Travel by Rail: Greenock – Glasgow Central – Queen Street – Falkirk High. Journey time is approximately one hour, 40 minutes. The stadium is a 30-minute walk away, although taxis are freely available from the station.
Parking:
Coaches: Free parking is available at rear of north stand.
Cars: Parking is available at the rear of north stand. There is a £4 charge. Alternatively, there is on-street in West Mains Industrial Estate. Please note that Falkirk College car park is unavailable due to ongoing refurbishment.
Travel Club Info
- The Gourock Morton Supporters’ bus to Falkirk leaves the Royalle Club in Gourock at 1.30pm sharp and pick ups are available en-route. Costs are £8 for adults and £6 for concessions.
- The Greenock Morton Supporters Club bus to Falkirk for tomorrow’s match leaves the club at 1.15pm with pick ups available en-route. Visitors costs are £8 for adults and £6 for concessions.
- The Port Glasgow Morton Travel Club bus to Falkirk for tomorrow’s match leaves the Sutherland Bar at 1.15pm.
- If you would like a seat on the bus, please contact Bryan on 07969760291 or leave a message on Facebook.
Image: David Bell
