Match Preview | Partick Thistle
MORTON versus Partick Thistle
Saturday 30 March 2019
Cappielow Park, Greenock
Kick-off 3pm
by Jonathan McQuillan
Scene Setter
Having not played a fixture at Cappielow since 1st March, Morton are back on home turf tomorrow afternoon as they host Partick Thistle in the Ladbrokes Championship.
It has been three weeks since Jonatan Johansson’s side have had a competitive fixture due to last week’s international break and the torrid weather the week before postponing Morton’s match up against Alloa Athletic here at Cappielow.
Morton ended 2018 with an impressive 2-1 win away at Partick Thistle in their last fixture in the Ladbrokes Championship and the last outing the two teams had in Greenock saw the Ton claim their biggest league win of the season putting five goals past The Jags.
Gaffer’s Thoughts
Speaking to gmfc.net Jonatan Johansson gave his thoughts ahead of tomorrow’s league encounter against Partick Thistle.He said: “Partick have been playing quite well and have a good squad of players with experience in the Scottish Premiership so we know this will be a tough test.
“I’ve watched them in their last few games and it’s almost been a different formation each time so sometimes you don’t know what to expect.
“They have strengthened since the last time we played them at Cappielow bringing in a lot of new players in various positions so it’s a new look side but then with the same manager you get similarities with the way they play.
“It’s been a while since our last fixture. We have a lot of players who want to keep playing, want to keep playing a game a week to keep up that competitive edge and that’s that we’ve been trying to do.
“We played a strong Celtic side in a friendly last week with a mix of first team players and reserves and came away with a well worked 1-0 win. More importantly than the result was getting a few players match fit and integrating some of the reserves with the first team.
“We will have six games now in April and that can be a tough test ahead with a small squad but we look forward to it.”
Team News
Long term absentees Denny Johnstone and Rory McKeown joined in full training this week as they look to get back to match fitness in the coming weeks.
Striker Bob McHugh remains sidelined as he continues to recover from a fracture he received last month during our game against Queen of the South.
Midfielder Michael Tidser will be undergoing a late fitness test tomorrow morning to determine whether he will have any involvement in tomorrow’s squad.
Morton Milestones and Significant Stats
10 – Striker Bob McHugh is Morton’s top scorer this term with ten goals in 24 starts and six substitute appearances.
12 – Midfielder Michael Tidser is Morton’s top creator with 12 direct assists in 28 starts.
100 – Striker Gary Oliver will make his 100th appearance for the club if selected.
150 – Defender Lee Kilday made his 150th appearance for the club against Ross County on 9 March.
Current Connections
After seven seasons of service at Cappielow and over 200 appearances, defender Thomas O’Ware moved to Partick Thistle last summer
Gary Harkins spent last season at Cappielow, scoring eight goals in 41 appearances, and re-joined former club Partick on 27 December, signing an 18-month contract after departing Queen of the South.
Head to Head
Tue 17 July 2018: Partick Thistle 2-1 Morton (Betfred Cup, Group E)
Sat 1 Sep 2018: Partick Thistle 1-0 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 3 Nov 2018: Morton 5-1 Partick Thistle (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 29 Dec 2018: Partick Thistle 1-2 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Round
Morton ended 2018 with a bang as they claimed a hugely important 2-1 win over Partick Thistle at the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill on 29 December
The then loan winger from Livingston Scott Tiffoney did superbly well to ease in front of the Thistle defender before swivelling and sending an exquisite chip sailing over goalkeeper Jamie Sneddon from 25 yards to put Jonatan Johansson’s men in front in the ninth minute.
Morton held the lead until just the hour mark when midfielder Craig Slater stepped onto a Christie Elliott lay-off 22 yards out and steered an unstoppable shot into the net off the inside of the left post.
With ten minutes remaining, right-back Reghan Tumilty found Charlie Telfer’s textbook run across the front of the Partick defense with a precise slide-rule pass that put the midfielder through on goal.
Telfer delayed and delayed in order to pick his spot before selecting the opportune second, just before Elliott could make a last-ditch block, to plant a firm finish across Sneddon and inside the left post to seal the win and a massive three points.
Officials
Referee: Graham Beaton
Assistant one: Ralph Gordon
Assistant two: Gordon McCabe
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: £1, 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 12pm 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
Children Under-12 in possession of a season 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 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: David Bell
