Match Preview: Turriff United
Pre-Season Friendly
Turriff United versus MORTON
Saturday 8 July 2017
The Haughs, Turriff
Kick-off 3pm
Match Preview
Jim Duffy’s men complete their pre-season preparations tomorrow with a trip to Aberdeenshire to face Highland League Turriff United in their second and final public friendly of the summer.
The Ton recorded a 3-0 victory over Stenhousmuir at Ochilview last Saturday, with new signings Bob McHugh, Robert Thomson, both of whom scored, and Gary Harkins all making positive debuts.
Tomorrow’s 90 minutes will prove another valuable outing ahead of the Betfred Cup opener away at Berwick Rangers, as well as a trip down memory lane for three long-serving players.
Derek Gaston, Michael Tidser, and Thomas O’Ware, who was an unused substitute, were all part of the Ton squad that was held to a 1-1 draw at the Haughs in a 2012 Scottish Cup tie.
The Cappielow club bossed the majority of the match, hitting the woodwork on three occasions as well as forcing several impressive saves from home keeper Steven Coutts.
Although Peter Weatherson equalised in first-half stoppage time, Allan Moore’s team failed to find the goals needed to secure victory, requiring a replay, which they won 6-0 at Cappielow, to book their place in the fifth round.
Manager’s Thoughts
Jim Duffy told gmfc.net: “I’ve known the manager at Turriff for a long time. Ross Jack and I signed for Dundee on the same day and stayed in digs together many, many centuries ago!
“Ross phoned me up and asked if we fancied a game. You can always get a match closer to home, but I just felt it wouldn’t do any harm to get the players used to sitting on a bus for three and a half hours.
“We’re going to have to play games up at Inverness, Brechin, and Dundee for instance and going to have to travel on coaches.
“It’s about getting inside their heads with the mental preparation, about what time you get up at, what time you eat, and the journey. It’s to do with that and also about taking a game on a good pitch.
“So we’ll go up there, get used to that bit of travelling and get another competitive 90 minutes under our belts, because it’s only a week after that that the season starts with the Betfred Cup.”
Team News
There are doubts over defenders Lee Kilday and Thomas O’Ware, both of whom are recovering from surgery in the early part of the close season, and midfielder Ross Forbes (knee).
However, long-term absentee Jai Quitongo is expected to make his first public appearance in a Morton shirt since last December following his midweek outing in a bounce game against Ayr United.
Current Connections
There are no current connections at present, although retired defender Mark Simpson is a player who represented both clubs over the course of his career.
Recent Meetings
Sat 1 Dec 2012: Turriff United 1-1 Morton (Scottish Cup fourth round)
Mon 17 Dec 2012: Morton 6-0 Turriff United (Scottish Cup fourth round, replay)
Last Time Out
Peter Weatherson grabbed his first competitive hat-trick in five years as Morton hit Highland League minnows Turriff United for six in a Scottish Cup fourth round replay in season 2012/13.
It was the Englishman who secured a Cappielow rematch by cancelling out Turra player-manager Mark Simpson’s opener when the original meeting ended in a 1-1 draw at The Haughs.
After a wasteful opening, Weatherson eventually opened the floodgates on 37 minutes. By the time he sewed up his treble with two late goals, Michael Tidser had bagged a brace and sub Peter MacDonald scored a solitary strike.
Supporters Notes
Entry is pay at the gate and admission prices are:
Adults: £5
Concessions (Over 65 and Under 16): £3
All fans will be accommodated in the main stand area. Turriff United has a social club within the stadium and they extend a welcome to fans of both clubs.
As with every SPFL/Highland League club, Turriff has a search policy before a person enters the stadium. Containers capable of holding liquid are not allowed within the ground and anyone who is drunk will not be allowed entry and may be subject of criminal proceedings by Police Scotland.
Travel
Travel by Road: The Haugh, Station Road, Turriff, AB53 4EF (for sat nav).
A8, Greenock – M8 – M80 – M9 – M90 into Dundee – A90 – A96 – A947, which leads into Station Road, Turriff. The stadium is accessed from the road opposite the municipal swimming pool. The estimated journey time is four hours.
There are no roadworks planned on the route as of 5 July. Please check trafficscotland.org for further information.
Travel by Rail: There is no direct rail link to Turriff. Fans would require to travel by train to Aberdeen and then bus to Turriff. The estimated total journey time is 5 hours 46 minutes.
Parking
There is free parking around the stadium, including disabled parking.
