Match Preview | Falkirk
MORTON versus Falkirk
Saturday 20 October 2018
Cappielow Park, Greenock
Kick-off 3pm
Scene Setter
Morton conclude the first quarter of the Ladbrokes Championship campaign with a fixture against bottom of the table Falkirk at Cappielow tomorrow.
The match sees the return of former manager Ray McKinnon – a fact that adds an extra layer of intrigue to what is already an important 90 minutes for both sides.
Current Ton boss Jonatan Johansson and his players will be keen to build on their encouraging 1-1 draw up in Inverness by claiming maximum points on home turf.
The Greenock men have drawn three of their last four fixtures, and they are keen to turn those ties into wins in order to climb the table.
A victory would also go some way towards erasing the memory of the 5-1 loss to Ayr United in their last outing on Sinclair Street.
Falkirk, too, will be fired up as they look to make up for a recent defeat at the hands of rivals Dunfermline Athletic by clinching the points required to lift themselves out of 10th place.
This match, therefore, has all the ingredients to make for another fascinating fixture to close out an extremely eventful opening quarter of the campaign.
Gaffer’s Thoughts
Team News
Robert Thomson and Connor Bell are edging closer to a return but remain absent, as are young forwards Ben Armour and Scott Tiffoney, who recently suffered a broken hand.
Chris Millar is expected to be available for selection after missing the 1-1 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, while Denny Johnstone is still rated doubtful.
Morton Milestones and Significant Stats
1 – Dundee loan defender Kerr Waddell made his first league start in the 1-1 draw with Inverness.
2 – Midfelder Charlie Telfer has scored in two consecutive matches, netting against Ayr and ICT.
3 – Morton have drawn 1-1 in three of their last four fixtures.
5 – Morton have gone five matches since winning, following three draws and two defeats.
6 – Michael Tidser is Ton’s top scorer this term, with six goals in 11 starts.
6 – Tidser is also Ton’s top creator with seven assists, teeing up Telfer for his strike in the Highlands.
225 – Chris Millar could make his 225th appearance for the club should he feature tomorrow.
Current Connections
Morton forward Bob McHugh swapped the Forth Valley for Greenock in the summer of 2017 after two successful seasons with tomorrow’s opponents.
Close-season recruit Reghan Tumilty arrived at Cappielow following his release by Ross County, but spent last term on loan with the Bairns, scoring two goals in 20 appearances.
The Falkirk management team of Ray McKinnon, Darren Taylor, and Graeme Henderson started the campaign here at Cappielow before taking the reins at the Falkirk Stadium.
On the playing side, former Ton midfielder Joe McKee is now in his second season with the Bairns, while Ton youth academy graduate Mark Russell penned a deal until January back in August.
Head to Head
Sat 30 Sep 2017: Morton 0-1 Falkirk (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 25 Nov 2017: Falkirk 0-3 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 13 Jan 2018: Morton 0-1 Falkirk (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 10 Mar 2018: Falkirk 3-1 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Round
Morton suffered a hugely disappointing defeat away at Falkirk back in March after conceding three goals in a nightmare opening 30 minutes.
Aaron Muirhead, Andrew Nelson, and Alex Jakubiak found the net as Paul Hartley’s reinvigorated Bairns side surged into a comfortable three-goal lead.
Midfielder Gary Harkins scored an injury-time consolation to reduce the deficit but the contest was setlled long before then, with the damage inflicted in the first half hour effectively putting the game out of reach.
Officials
Referee: John Beaton
Assistant one: Daniel McFarlance
Assistant two: Calum Doyle
Fan File
Admission prices are:
Adult | Fan Card: £18, Ticket: £20
Concession (Over 65, Student, and Under 21s) | Fan Card: £13, Ticket: £15
Child (12 – 17)^ | Fan Card: £5, Ticket: £5
Child (Under-12)* | Fan Card: £0, Ticket: £1
^Proof of entitlement must be provided for concessionary tickets, while proof of age is required for children between 12 and 17 and those between 18 and 20.
*Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Please note, prices apply irrespective of the day or time of purchase.
Supporters are asked to purchase in advance where possible in order to avoid excessive queues at the ticket office on a matchday.
Briefs can still be bought from the following outlets:
Smiths of Greenock – During opening hours, 9am – 5.30pm
Sinclair Street ticket office – Saturday matchdays from 11am to 3pm
Tickets can also be purchased in advance online at www.gmfctickets.co.uk or by calling the club on 01475 723571. These can be collected at the ticket office on matchday.
All home fixtures are also available to be pre-loaded onto fan cards via Interstadia’s dedicated club website, www.gmfctickets.co.uk.
Children Under-12 Go Free With Season Card and Fan Card
Children Under-12 in possession of a season card or fan card attend all home league fixtures free of charge, and parents are encouraged to sign their kids up for the campaign if they have not already done so.
Those children without a season card or fan card will be required to purchase a physical match ticket with scannable barcode at a cost of £1.
You can order or renew your child’s season ticket online by CLICKING HERE or by contacting club secretary Brendan McEleny on admin@gmfc.net or calling 01475 723571.
Image: Gary Bradley
