Match Preview: Queen of the South
Queen of the South versus MORTON
Saturday 16 September 2017
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Kick-off 3pm
Match Preview
Morton are back on the road this weekend after successive home fixtures either side of the international break as they make the journey to Dumfries to take on Queen of the South.
Last term, Palmerston Park was both the scene of the Greenock men’s biggest league win – a thumping 5-0 victory in October 2016 – and their joint-heaviest defeat – a 3-0 reverse in March.
Those starkly contrasting outcomes just go to show how unpredictable the Ladbrokes Championship can be, and tomorrow’s meeting is another encounter that seems impossible to predict.
Jim Duffy’s men currently occupy fifth place in the table, just two points behind the Doonhamers, who are sat in third and on a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Although the Cappielow club are still searching for a similar level of consistency, they have some notable victories to their name, namely beating current league leaders St Mirren 4-1 on Sinclair Street.
They also toppled erstwhile table toppers Dunfermline Athletic last weekend, staging a stunning second-half recovery to fight back from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
That memorable victory was the sort of the result that can really kickstart a campaign, and the Ton will be targeting a repeat performance in what promises to be a fascinating tussle at Palmerston tomorrow.
Manager’s Thoughts
Jim Duffy told gmfc.net: “Queen of the South is another extremely difficult match. Every week in this league every match is so difficult to call.
“Queen of the South have made a very positive start to the season and have plenty of goals in them, plenty of firepower, with Stephen Dobbie and Derek Lyle.
“But we know that on our day we can compete with anyone, we’ve shown that with the terrific results against the likes of St Mirren and Dunfermline there.
“They are two teams who are flying high, and we’ve not just managed to win those games but also create a good number of chances in those games.
“We’ve also also had our off days, so what we’ve shown is that we have the ability but we have to get that continuity about the team.”
Team News
Long-term absentee Lee Kilday is making progress but is still a bit away from seeing any match involvement. Elsewhere forward Robert Thomson is struggling with a bug and could miss out.
Current Connections
Cappielow stars Gary Oliver and Andy Murdoch both arrived at Cappielow last season on the back of spells with the Doonhamers .
Ton striker Bob McHugh enjoyed a loan stint at Palmerston in the second half of season 2013/14, the then-Motherwell man netting five goals in 15 appearances.
In the Queens ranks is former Ton frontman Derek Lyle, who scored five goals in 17 starts and four sub appearances in 2010/11.
Recent Meetings
Sat 15 Oct 2016: Queen of the South 0-5 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 24 Dec 2016: Morton 1-0 Queen of the South (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 4 Feb 2017: Queen of the South 3-0 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 11 Mar 2017: Morton 1-0 Queen of the South (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Out
Morton moved up to third in the Ladbrokes Championship with a 1-0 win over Queen of the South in front of the BBC Alba cameras at Cappielow in March.
Ross Forbes made the difference, netting his 12th goal of the season early in the second half to strengthen the Ton’s grip on a play-off place by pushing them 10 points clear of their opponents in fifth position.
Officials
Referee: Alan Newlands
Assistant one: Ralph Gordon
Assistant two: Garry Farmer
Supporters Notes
Entry is by ticket, available adjacent to turnstiles, and admission prices are:
Adult – £16
Concession – £9
Under 16 – £5
Morton supporters will be seated in the Rosefield Salvage stand, sections 7, 8 and 9 and enter the stadium using turnstiles 3 and 4.
Wheelchair users access to stadium via the west side of Rosefield stand. Prices are for an £8 adult wheelchair user and £6 for a concession wheelchair user. Carer goes free.
Queen of the South has a search policy before a person enters the stadium. Containers capable of holding liquid are not allowed within the stadium and anyone who is drunk will not be allowed entry and may be subject of criminal proceedings by Police Scotland.
Club stewards are empowered to eject spectators who fail to comply with the ground regulations. Lastly, Palmerston Park is a no smoking venue and this includes e-cigarettes or similar devices.
Travel
Travel by Road: Queen of the South, Palmerston Park, Terregles Street, Dumfries, DG2 9BA, for Sat Nav users.
A8/M8 – M74 towards Carlisle (junction 21) – M74/A74 – Leave at junction 15, A701 towards Dumfries – At roundabout take third exit A701 – Continue on A701 through a series of roundabouts – Leave A701 onto A75 – Take second exit at roundabout onto Glasgow Road/A76 – Continue to Lochfield Road – Continue through first roundabout and take first exit at second roundabout into Terregles Street.
Travel by Rail: Greenock – Glasgow Central – Dumfries. Around three hours travel time and a 20-minute walk to stadium.
Exit station on to main car park outside Station Hotel, turn right into Lovers Lane, left into Edinburgh Road, continue into Buccleuch Street towards stadium.
Parking
Car parking is vailable at Palmerston Arena adjacent to stadium on Lochfield Road. No temporary road closures in vicinity and no known roadworks.
Coaches – Parking is available on public road just off bypass adjacent to Currys.
Travel Club Info
The Gourock Morton Supporters’ bus to Dumfries for tomorrow’s match leaves the Royalle Club in Gourock at 12pm and pick ups are available en-route. Costs are £11 for adult and £9 for concessions.
You can book seats by https://www.facebook.com/AHMSC/ or texting 07517045005. When booking give the name of everyone booking onto the bus.
The Greenock Morton Supporters Club bus to Dumfries for tomorrow’s match leaves the club at 12pm with pick ups en-route.
If you would like a seat on the bus, please phone Martin on 07958080010. Alternatively, you can book seats through Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GMSCTravel or Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/GMSCTravel.
Image: David Bell
