Preview Morton

Ladbrokes Championship: the final home match of the season

After three good quarters in this Championship season, Morton have suddenly found it tough winning points. Had Dunfermline won against Falkirk last Saturday, this match might have offere an opportunity to end the season in a sprint and take the fourth play off place. Morton`s last match is at home to Dundee United and the Pars away to Queen of the South and the ever optimistic Pars fan might just have thought it possible to win three out of three. Alas following the horrendous penalty decision last week all that has now gone.

A win over the `Ton however would keep up the challenge on Queen of the South for fifth place finish. Dunfermline have won two and lost one against their Inverclyde visitors this season.

Morton have won just twelve times in 46 visits to East End Park and the Pars hold the upper hand with 43 wins in the 92 league meetings. .Prior to the 2-1 win at East End Park it had been over six years since the previous home win.

Of the last twelve league meetings Morton have won seven, one has been drawn and four have been won by Dunfermline.

Last Home Match v Morton
Saturday 10th December 2016

It was a fairly quiet start from both sides and there was even greater silence when referee Stephen Finnie awarded the visitors a penalty within five minutes. It was for a fairly tame tackle from Callum Fordyce on Jai Quitongo on the edge of the box but there was a huge roar when Sean Murdoch went to his right and held Tom O`Ware`s spot kick.

In 12 minutes a weak pass back to his keeper from right back Jamie McDonough allowed MOFFAT to nip in and show good control to stick the ball into the Morton net. 1-0Morton`s Christmas spirit reappeared in 23 minutes when Mark Russell hit a weak pass back from the left touchline that was never going to reach his keeper. MOFFAT ran on to the ball and placed it under the keeper to find the net at the far post. 2-0 

The half came to a bad end with the Fifers conceding a goal in 43 minutes. McDonough exchanged passes with Forbes deep down the right before brushing aside Herron to get in on goal. His shot was blocked but Aidan NESBITT reacted fastest and slotted the ball home. 2-1

It turned out that the first half had everything and a goalless second 45 meant the Pars took full points. Closest to altering the scoreline was Clark hwho ad fans on their feet ready to celebrate a third Pars goal in 79 minutes but after he connected well from McCabe`s delivery but Gaston got down to save with his right hand just inside the post. 

DUNFERMLINE: Sean Murdoch: Conner Duthie (Ryan Williamson 58), Callum Fordyce (c), Lee Ashcroft, Jason Talbot: Kallum Higginbotham, John Herron (Nat Wedderburn HT), Rhys McCabe, Paul McMullan: Nicky Clark (Farid El Alagui 84), Michael Moffat.
SUBS NOT USED: Michael Paton, Joe Cardle, Gavin Reilly, David Hutton (GK)

MORTON: Derek Gaston: Jamie McDonagh, Tom O`Ware, Gavin Gunning, Mark Russell: Jamie Lindsay (Michael Tidser 12), Andy Murdoch (Caolan McAleer 76), Ross Forbes, Aidan Nesbitt: Gary Oliver, Jai Quitongo (Kudus Oyenuga 36)
SUBS NOT USED: Lee Kilday, Ricki Lamie, Michael Doyle, Andy McNeil (GK).

The Stats

Recent Form

Since the sides last met Morton have played six matches, drawn three and lost three. From the last 27 league points at stake they have taken only three. . Dunfermline have taken ten points from the last 27 available and they have won two, drawn two and lost two since their 1-0 win at Cappielow.

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE  (v Falkirk): Sean Murdoch (David Hutton 55): Andy Geggan (c), Callum Morris (Lewis Martin 55), Lee Ashcroft, Jason Talbot: Kallum Higginbotham, Nat Wedderburn, Rhys McCabe, Paul McMullan: Nicky Clark, David Hopkirk
SUBS NOT USED: Michael Paton, Michael Moffat, Gavin Reilly, Ryan Williamson, Joe Cardle.

MORTON (v Ayr United): Derek Gaston. Lee Kilday, Thomas O`Ware, Ricki Lamie, Michael Doyle: Ross Forbes, Michael Tidser (Jamie Lindsay 89), Aidan Nesbitt (Mark Russell 82), Andy Murdoch, Lawrence Shankland (Jamie McDonagh 73), Gary Oliver.
SUBS NOT USED: Lewis Strapp, Kudus Oyenuga, Luke Donnelly, Bryn Halliwell(GK).

Referee will be Euan Anderson.

Related Stories

• Dunfermline 1 Falkirk 2
• Dumbarton 0 Dunfermline 2
• U20s v Kilmarnock
• Hospitality v Morton