Match Preview | Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic versus MORTON
Saturday 1 December 2018
East End Park, Dunfermline
Kick-off 3pm
Scene Setter
Morton turn their attentions back to the bread and butter of the Ladbrokes Championship campaign and an away fixture against Dunfermline Athletic this afternoon.
It has been a gruelling week for a Ton team who fought out a 1-1 draw with Peterhead in the third round of the Scottish Cup last Saturday before heading north for a replay just three days later.
Despite losing Gary Oliver to a broken collarbone in the original tie, seeing the kick off delayed until 8pm after the team bus broke down just after Perth, and playing in horrendous weather conditions, the Ton produced.
Goals from Kerr Waddell, Robert Thomson, and Chris Millar – the three players brought into the side by Jonatan Johansson following the Cappielow stalemate – secured a superb result, and a fourth round trip to East Fife.
The Sinclair Street have been enjoying their fair share of success on the road in recent months, having won 2-1 at Queen of the South, drawn 0-0 with league leaders Ayr United, and handsomely beaten the Blue Toon on Tuesday.
They travel to Fife in fine fettle this afternoon aiming to collect another positive result against a Pars side that have lost their last three fixtures at East End Park.
Gaffer’s Thoughts
Team News
Denny Johnstone and Gary Oliver are sidelined through injury, but Ross MacLean and Scott Tiffoney are available for selection again after sitting out in the Scottish Cup due to their loan agreements.
Morton Milestones and Significant Stats
1 – Loan defender Kerr Waddell scored his first Morton goal in the 3-0 win at Peterhead.
1 – Striker Robert Thomson scored his first goal of the season in the 3-0 win at Peterhead.
2 – Morton have kept two clean sheets in their last three fixtures in all competitions.
5 – Bob McHugh has scored five goals in his last eight appearances.
8 – Striker McHugh (7 in 19 appearances) is Morton’s top scorer this term.
8 – Midfielder Michael Tidser is Morton’s top creator with nine direct assists.
Current Connections
Frontman Robert Thomson spent a short time with today’s opponents in the first half of the 2013/14 campaign, scoring one goal in seven starts and one substitute apperarance before joining Brechin City.
Goalkeeper Ryan Scully enjoyed two loan spells with the Pars, in seasons 2013/14 and 2014/15, making a total of 87 appearances and winning a club player of the year award in his time at East End Park.
Defender Gregor Buchanan was a team-mate of Scully’s during the shot-stopper’s second campaign with Dunfermline and made 36 appearances in all competitions.
Between the posts for the Pars is Lee Robinson, and the 32-year-old Englishman will be familiar to Ton fans from the 24 starts he made whilst on loan from Rangers in season 2007/08.
Head to Head
Sat 20 Jan 2018: Dunfermline Athletic 1-2 Morton (William Hill Scottish Cup, fourth round)
Sat 3 Feb 2018: Morton 2-1 Dunfermline Athletic (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 17 Mar 2018: Dunfermline Athletic 0-0 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 22 Sep 2018: Morton 1-1 Dunfermline Athletic (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Round
Super sub Scott Tiffoney’s late equaliser rescued a point for Morton back in September as they drew 1-1 with Dunfermline Athletic at Cappielow.
In what was their first home match in charge of the club, management duo Jonatan Johansson and Peter Houston saw their side fall behind to an Andy Ryan goal on 68 minutes.
But Livingston loanee Tiffoney, who was brought on at the break for an injured Jack Iredale, secured a draw with an 81st-minute strike that swerved beyond the grasp of Pars keeper Lee Robinson.
Officials
Referee: John Beaton
Assistant one: Douglas Ross
Assistant two: Simon MacLean
Fan File
Admission prices are:
Adults: £18
Concession (Over 60, Student, Under 18s, Disabled and Unemployed): £12
Under-12: £5
Morton fans will be housed the East Stand.
Fans under the influence of alcohol will not be admitted and all bags will be searched, with random-persons searching undertaken. Surfing flags are not permitted and other flags will be checked to ensure that they are not offensive or derogatory.
Travel
By Road: Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, East End Park, Halbeath Road, Dunfermline, KY12 7RB
A8/M8 – M80 – M876 over Kincardine Bridge – A985 – A994 – A907 Pittencrief Street/Carnegie Drive/Appin Crescent to Halbeath Road.
By Rail:
Greenock – Dunfermline Town station via Glasgow Central, Queen Street, and Haymarket Edinburgh. Journey time varies from 2 hours, 30 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes. There is a 15-minute walk from the station to the ground.
Parking
Car and coach parking: Main car park via Leys Park Road behind north stand. Coaches – £7, Cars – £2.
Travel Club Info
- The Gourock Morton Supporters’ bus leaves the Royalle Club in Gourock at 12.15pm sharp and pick ups are available en-route. Costs are £10 for adults and £8 for concessions.
- The Greenock Morton Supporters Club bus leaves the club at 12.15pm with pick ups en-route. Visitors costs are £10 for adults and £8 for OAPs and Under-16s.
- The Port Glasgow Morton Travel Club bus for tomorrow’s match leaves the Sutherland Bar at 12.30pm.
Image: Gary Bradley
