Preview Morton

Dunfermline travel to Greenock on Boxing Day for their first match there since the last day of the 1999-2000 season. It was to be the Pars last lower league fixture until 4th August 2007.

Webcast Morton v Dunfermline

Dunfermline travel to Greenock on Boxing Day for their first match there since the last day of the 1999-2000 season (see above).  That day was more memorable for the home fans protest, staying outside the ground than for the fact that it was to be the Pars last lower league fixture until 4th August 2007. The match also saw farewell appearances from Dunfermline legends Ian Westwater and Hamish French.

In the years that have passed since 99/00 season, Morton have gone to the "edge" but have well and truly fought back again.  After being relegated in 2001 and heading into financial administration, back to back relegations took place and the club ended up playing Third Division football as recently as 2002/03 season. Their stay was not long however and the Third Division championship was won in front of a record crowd of 8,497 supporters at a packed Cappielow.

A great start to their Second Division campaign went into reverse gear the next season and the club finished fourth having looked like being runaway winners at one point.  With further close calls in the next couple of seasons, Morton finally regained their place in the First Division in May, sealing the Second Division title along the way after results including a 9-1 victory over Forfar Athletic in their penultimate home league game.

Morton have won less of their home meetings with the Pars than they have lost but history doesn`t always matter.

Dunfermline`s last opponents when leaving Division One in 2000 was Morton and that day, amidst home protests against the Chairman, they defeated the Pars 2-0.

Morton are three points ahead of the Pars and only a four goal winning margin would see the Greenock club slip below DA.

Morton have only lost one of their last six league games and Dunfermline have only won one of their last six.  The Greenock men`s home form has not been that great; they won their first league match of the season but since then have only taken three points off Partick on 6th October.  Buckie Thistle were taking them north for a replay in the Scottish Cup last month before Chris Templeman`s last minute winner.

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE: (v Queen of the South) Paul Gallacher; Calum Woods, Jamie Harris, Scott Thomson, Danny Murphy; Bobby Ryan, Stephen Simmons (Nick Phinn HT), Stephen Glass (c), Michael McGlinchey (Jim McIntyre 83); Mark Burchill (Iain Williamson 79), Jim Hamilton.
SUBS NOT USED: Sean Murdoch (GK), Scott Morrison.

MORTON: (v Partick Thistle)  David McGurn; Jay Shields, David McGregor, Ryan Harding, Stewart Greacen, Scott McLaughlin, Kieran McAnespie, Kevin Finlayson, Peter Weatherson,  Iain Russell (Chris Templeman 81), Jim McAlister.
SUBS NOT USED:  Michael Gardyne, Brian Graham, Lee Robinson (GK), Scott McKellar

Striker Chris Templeman may come against his former club but he was a late sub on Saturday against Partick.  The tall striker left East End Park after three and a half seasons for Stirling Albion but it was at Brechin City where he scored 63 goals that he made his mark and led to his £100,000 transfer to Morton.  The 27 year old Fifer has hit the net 34 times for the Greenock side.

Referee for the match will be Charlie Richmond.