Dunfermline vs Morton – Match Preview 

by Dean McKinnon 

Morton are in Fife on Saturday to face newly promoted Dunfermline at East End Park. Both sides will come into this clash in buoyant spirits, with The Ton claiming a hard-earned point at Tannadice last week, and Dunfermline toppling Queens Park at the national stadium. James McPake’s men have adjusted well to life back in the second tier and will provide another stern test for The Ton, who will seek their first win on the road this term, having gained their first away point of the campaign at Tannadice last week. 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Squad News 

Tyler French appeared to settle into the squad well last week, delivering an assured performance following some understandable nerves in the opening few minutes. Young midfielder Alex King will now be unavailable after being loaned out to League Two side Clyde. The Sinclair Street men were boosted as Robbie Crawford and club captain Grant Gillespie returned to the fold at Tannadice following their injury layoffs. Dougie Imrie’s attacking options are still not as fruitful as they could be, with Jai Quitongo and George Oakley still on the sidelines.  

Current Connections 

Nobody in the current Dunfermline squad has ever represented our favourites, although manager James McPake spent a very brief loan spell on Sinclair Street in 2006, scoring twice in ten league appearances. Loanee Iain Wilson spent eighteen months with The Pars in the COVID-hit period between 2020 and 2022. Following two years on loan at Queen of the South from Kilmarnock, he was released before joining Stevie Crawford’s side. He was released by mutual consent by the Fifers on 30th January 2022 before joining Morton the following day.  

Robbie Muirhead also spent a brief time with The Pars. Following his departure from MK Dons, the striker signed for Dunfermline, making fourteen league appearances without finding the net. He would then go on to join David Hopkin’s Morton ahead of the 2019/20 season.  

Tale of the Tape  

Both teams shared a division in 2021/22 season before Dunfermline’s eventual relegation. The Ton had an unbeaten season against their Fife counterparts, with one win and one draw at both venues over the four league encounters. Morton’s last win at East End Park came on the second meeting of the sides in 2021/22, with a goal from Gozie Ugwu and a double from Gary Oliver giving Gus MacPherson a rare win in the Morton hotseat.  

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Opposition Analysis  

Dunfermline have not looked out of place upon their return to the second tier. They have continued their impressive defensive record from last season into this term, conceding only four goals in their five matches so far, second only to Dundee United. Dundee United are the only team to have scored more than once in a match against James McPake’s men in all competitions this season, having ran out comfortable 3-0 winners in the SPFL Trust Trophy. The Pars bounced back from this setback with a 2-0 win against Queens Park at Hampden last week.  

Ahead of the game, I spoke to Robbie McIntosh from the PTG + H-Pars Supporters Group, who spoke of the change from the Dunfermline sides The Ton have faced previously - “A lot has changed for Dunfermline Athletic since this fixture was last played out. March 2022, a 1-1 draw at East End Park under Yogi Hughes. A bitterly disappointing relegation and a promotion winning season later we are back in the Championship with an almost new identity under the management of James McPake. Experienced at this level after guiding Dundee out of the play offs and into the Premiership, picking up the SPFL Championship manager of the year along the way. Trust in McPake for this machine he is creating is ever growing. Having last week avenged ourselves against Queens Park at Hampden for last season's relegation playoff. May I add with a depleted squad due to injuries, it is hopefully a good sign how this season will fare. The Pars only have 3 players remaining of the starting 11 from the previous Morton fixture. With the likes of standouts Ewan Otoo coming in from Celtic B and Kane Ritchie-Hostler formerly of Man City academy then Rangers B respectively on 2-year deals, this is seen amongst fans as a statement from the club, aiming for stability and investing in talented youth to progress. However optimistic we maybe we right now we are well aware of the challenges this league brings. Morton being a tough team for the Pars over recent years with Dunfermline not picking up a win in our last 5 meetings! In our last 27 league games we have lost only once, coming from rivals Raith Rovers at EEP in our last home game, so Dunfermline will be hopefully looking to put things right. The Dunfermline lineup will most likely look the same as last weeks with Injuries still to star man Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Matty Todd and first choice goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet to name a few. This does however leave new signing Alex Jakubiak, loan signings Ben Summers (Celtic), Owen Moffat (Blackpool), Harrison Sharp (Dundee) and squad players with a chance to make an impression.” 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Betting Guide  

All match odds are provided by McBookie. Odds are correct as of 8pm on 21st September 2023 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.  

The hosts enter this clash as favourites, chalked at Evs to take all three points. The draw is priced at 5/2, with Dougie Imrie’s men 11/5 to return to Inverclyde with maximum points.  

If you fancy Robbie Muirhead to continue his impressive goalscoring return this term, you can back him at 2/1 to score anytime, you can also back the striker at 7/1 to grab the first goal or to score the last goal at the same price.  

If you are looking for slightly more generous odds, a double of Cammy Blues to score anytime and Morton to win comes in at 10/1.  

Match Officials  

Referee - Grant Irvine 

AR1 - Dougie Potter 

AR2 - Kevin Buchanan