Match Preview: Queen’s Park
BETFRED CUP
MORTON versus Queen’s Park
Tuesday 18 July 2017
Cappielow Park, Greenock
Kick-off 7.45pm
Match Preview
Morton host Queen’s Park in their first home outing of the 2017/18 season as they look to add to the three points picked up in Saturday’s Betfred Cup opener at Berwick Rangers.
They welcome the Spiders to Cappielow this evening for their second Group F fixture having also crossed swords with the Hampden outfit last term, losing 2-0 at the National Stadium to exit the Irn-Bru Cup.
And manager Jim Duffy says his side must improve upon Saturday’s showing at Shielfield at the weekend, adding more of a cutting edge to the possession they enjoy, to ensure they do not suffer a repeat of last season’s surprise reverse.
Manager’s Thoughts
Jim Duffy told gmfc.net: “It’s going to be a tough match, and it’s another game in which we need to add a little bit to what we did against Berwick, to be sharper in key areas, and see if we can get another three points.
“Gus MacPherson has done an outstanding job at Queen’s Park. You have to remember, they’re an amateur club and don’t pay any wages.
“They’ve got to encourage boys to come there with maybe the possibility of moving on, and that’s what’s happened time and time again at Queen’s Park over the years.
“Also recently, in the last couple of years under Gus, he’s moved a lot of players into the professional ranks, so I’ve got a great admitation for the job that he’s done there.
“And I know that his team will to come to Cappielow determined to put on a show and make it very difficult for us. If we’re not up for it; if we’re not right at it then you can lose these sorts of games.
“If we’re not at our best, if we don’t move the ball a lot quicker, if we don’t capitalise on our chances, then they’ll stay in the game.
“They’ve got a goal threat and will look to capitalise on any mistakes we make, so we need to make sure we have the right determination and the right mentality to go about our business.
“You hope that we learn a bit from Saturday. That if you don’t take your opportunities then the opposition will keep at it and make it difficult, and the game become a bit scrappy.
“So you want players to understand that, that if we want to improve as a team that these are the games we have to do it.
“You’ll probably have the lion’s share of the ball, but it’s not about having the ball – it’s about what you do with it that’s important, and in that aspect we need to be a little bit more clinical.”
Team News
Although Robert Thomson and Lewis Strapp are added to the squad after missing out at Berwick, it looks as though Gary Oliver will drop out due to a throat infection, joining long-term absentees Lee Kilday and Thomas O’Ware on the sidelines.
Current Connections
Defender Ricki Lamie spent half a season on loan with the Spiders during the 2013/14 campaign, making 16 appearances in his half season at Hampden.
Striker Thomas Orr signed for Queen’s Park after exiting Cappielow at the end of last season. The youth academy product made 12 first-team appearances with the Ton.
Recent Meetings
Sat 03 Sep 2016: Queen’s Park 2-0 Morton (Irn-Bru Cup, third round)
Sat 08 Mar 2003: Queen’s Park 0-1 Morton (Third Division)
Sat 07 Dec 2002: Morton 1-1 Queen’s Park (Third Division)
Sat 24 Aug 2002: Morton 3-0 Berwick Rangers (Third Division)
Last Time Out
Morton fell at the first hurdle in the Irn-Bru Challenge Cup last September after suffering a shock 2-0 defeat to Queen’s Park at Hampden Park.
Goals either side of half-time from Adam Cummins and David Galt were enough to eliminate the Ton from the competition and seal the Spiders’ place in the fourth round.
Supporters Notes
Admission prices are:
Adults: £12
Concessions (Over 65 and Under 16): £6
As per Saturday’s club statement, our new electronic turnstiles are not yet fully operational. In a one-match only arrangement, we ask supporters to adhere to the following procedures in order to gain entry to Cappielow for tomorrow’s match v Queen’s Park.
Mainstand
Fans intending to sit in the mainstand should buy a ticket at the new ticket office, which will be open from 5.30pm, on Sinclair Street.
To help facilitate the above we would ask that, where possible, fans have the correct change available and be as early as possible, which will speed up the issue of tickets.
Cowshed / Sinclair Street
Fans using the terrace should use the turnstiles at the Wee Dublin End, which will allow access to the Cowshed and the Sinclair Street terraces.
These will be cash turnstiles and we ask that, where possible, fans have the correct change available and turn up as early as possible to assist with speedy entry to the ground.
After the match, fans will exit as normal via the main gates onto Sinclair Street.
Queen’s Park supporters
Away fans will be accomodated within sections F and G of the mainstand, and will be required to purchase tickets at the new ticket office on Sinclair Street.
