Match Preview: Queen of the South
Queen of the South versus MORTON
Saturday 17 February 2018
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Kick-off 3pm
Match Preview
Morton return to Ladbrokes Championship action this weekend with a trip to Dumfries to face promotion play-off rivals Queen of the South as the clubs jockey for position in the top half of the table.
Jim Duffy’s side are currently sat in fifth place, one position and one point ahead of the Doonhamers in sixth, making the fixture something of a six pointer in terms of either establishing daylight or leapfrogging the other.
A victory for the visitors also has the potential to move them back above Dunfermline Athletic into fourth spot, with a draw also enough due to the fact the Pars are inactive.
Win and the Sinclair Street side could also push within touching distance of Livingston – dependent on the outcome of their game against St Mirren – and Dundee United in second and third place respectively.
Queens will be no pushovers, as proven by the fact they came from behind to win at Cappielow in the last head-to-head, as well the wafer-thin margin between the clubs in the table.
That is not to mention the firepower they boast in terms of the division’s leading marksman, Stephen Dobbie, who has 23 goals in all competitions.
To add to that tally, however, the former Swansea striker will have to find a way past a Ton rearguard that not only has the best defensive record in the second-tier, but has conceded just eight goals in 10 away matches.
And as a side currently on a run of four consecutive wins, the Greenock men will head south infused with belief that they’re capable of repeating the performance that saw them triumph at Palmerston last September.
Manager’s Thoughts
Team News
Skipper Lee Kilday made his long-awaited return after 10 months in a recent Development League West win over East Kilbride, but will require more Under-20s appearances before he is ready for a top-team return.
Jamie McGowan, Robert Thomson, Ross Forbes, and Jai Quitongo all miss out, and manager Jim Duffy reveals the latter two players face significant spells on the sidelines in his video preview (above).
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 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)
Sat 16 Sep 2017: Queen of the South 1-2 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 4 Nov 2017: Morton 1-2 Queen of the South (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Out
Morton surrendered an early lead as they conceded either side of half-time to lose 2-1 to Queen of the South at Cappielow back in November.
Gary Harkins converted a seventh-minute spot-kick to give Ton the lead, but Stephen Dobbie levelled a minute before the break and Callum Fordyce added a second shortly after the restart to turn the game on its head.
It was a role reversal of the Cappielow club’s preceeding outings in which they had been forced to fight back from behind three times in order to claim points against Dumbarton and St Mirren.
Officials
Referee: Kevin Clancy
Assistant one: Paul O’Neill
Assistant two: David Burns
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 (East) stand, sections 7, 8 and 9 and enter the stadium using turnstile 3.
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 have adopted a robust search policy for spectators entering the ground to ensure that ground rules and regulations are adhered to.
Palmerston is a non-smoking venue, including e-cigarettes and similar devices. Stewards are empowered to eject spectators who disobey theses rules. All spectators are requested to abide by unacceptable behaviour policy.
Further information can be accessed via www.qosfc.com.
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.
From Traffic Scotland:
As part of Transport Scotland’s strategic trunk road management programme they will resume the resurfacing of the M8 Eastbound from Junction 29 to 28 that was postponed last month due to adverse weather conditions.
Resurfacing of the 0.7 kilometres stretch of the motorway near Glasgow Airport will be carried out under a weekend contraflow system from 8pm on Friday 16th to 6am on Monday 19th February.
Potential delays of up to 40 minutes are forecasted, and drivers are asked to plan their journeys accordingly with this in mind.
Motorists are advised to check my.trafficscotland.org or follow @trafficscotland for the latest trunk road information and estimated journey times prior to starting their journeys.
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 available at the Palmerston Arena adjacent to stadium on Lochfield Road. On-street parking also an option providing there are no restrictions. No temporary road closures in vicinity and no known roadworks.
Coaches – It is suggested that buses drop off in Terregles Road/King Street and then park on College Mains Road just off roundabout with the A76 on the town bypass (adjacent to Currys).
Do not park at the other side (Aldi) as the is the ambulance depot access road and this is extremely busy. Pick up at the same location.
Travel Club Info
The Gourock Morton Supporters’ bus to Dumfries for tomorrow’s match leaves the Royalle Club in Gourock at 12pm sharp and pick ups are available en-route. Costs are £10 for adults and £8 for concessions.
This bus is now FULL. However, they will add requests to a reserve list in case of cancellations which you can do by leaving a message at https://www.facebook.com/AHMSC/ or texting 07517045005.
The Greenock Morton Supporters Club bus to Dumfries for tomorrow’s match leaves the club at 12pm with pick ups en-route. Email Us: gmsctravel@gmail.com. Costs are £12 for adults and £10 for U16/OAPs.
If you would like a seat, text Martin on 07958080010. Alternatively, book seats through Facebook or Twitter or email: gmsctravel@gmail.com.
The Port Glasgow Morton Travel Club bus to Dumfries for tomorrow’s match leaves the Sutherland Bar at 11.30am with pick ups en-route.
Anyone looking for seats should contact Bryan on 07969760291 or send a private message on Facebook.
Image: David Bell
