Morton v Raith Rovers – Match Preview 

by Russell Gordon 

Championship action returns to Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology after a month with the visit of big-spending Raith Rovers to Inverclyde. With both clubs enjoying late victories at the weekend, spirits will be high in Ian Murray and Dougie Imrie’s respective dressing rooms as Morton prepare for part one of a Fife double header at home this week. 

Tickets are available from Fanbase at the link below: 

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Photo - GBR Photographs.

Squad News 

Whisper it, but Morton’s horrific luck with injuries this season may be improving. We’re still without Jai Quitongo and Darragh O’Connor, who are unlikely to return until nearer Christmas. 

However, with experienced campaigners such as Oakley, Broadfoot and Gillespie now back in the fold, things are beginning to look up on the availability front. Imrie selected an unfamiliar 5-3-2 formation at Somerset Park on Saturday, with Iain Wilson operating in the right wing-back position allowing Morton slightly more width than earlier in the season, whilst the introduction of Lewis McGrattan late on provided an extra impetus to go on and take three valuable points from the weekend’s trip to the seaside. 

Current Connections 

There are no former Morton players in the Kirkcaldy side’s ranks, but Morton custodian Jamie MacDonald spent three seasons in the Kingdom from 2020 to last summer before making the move to Greenock. 

Grant Gillespie also spent a season with Raith in 2019-20, before moving onto Derry City, and subsequently Ayr United and Queen’s Park before winding up at Cappielow. 

Raith’s Ross Millen is the son of Morton Assistant Manager Andy, who can of course count the Fife outfit as one of his many previous employers. 

Tale of the Tape 

Morton had the better of the meetings last season, with a couple of home wins, a defeat early in the season at Stark’s Park and two draws in the Kingdom, although one of those finished with an SPFL Trust Trophy exit on penalties. 

However, this season’s first meeting saw Raith claim the spoils in controversial circumstances, as Morton were on the end of an appalling refereeing performance for the ages. 

After Jack Hamilton prodded Raith into an early lead, Lewis Vaughan decided to inexplicably go down in the box in the vicinity of Darragh O’Connor, fooling hapless referee David Munro into awarding the home side a penalty. We all know that Vaughan has a reputation for returning from injuries, but after being so brutally poleaxed, he managed to dust himself down to convert his 14th minute spot kick and revel in his cheating in front of a furious visiting support. 

Morton however, rallied and reduced the arrears three minutes later as Robbie Muirhead rose majestically to power home Lewis McGrattan’s wonderful cross from the right. From that point, Morton dominated as they searched for an equaliser, although Munro insisted on making himself centre stage, booking eight Morton players over the course of the game in spite of only thirteen fouls being committed by the visitors, booking five Raith players. Although how it took to as late as the 27th minute to book Jack Hamilton should have been a mystery to anyone in attendance. 

The official also failed to dismiss Ross Millen for a flying elbow before Robbie Crawford finally found space in the box to stab home an equaliser with 19 minutes remaining. 

Parity however was only restored for five minutes, as Callum Smith robbed Kirk Broadfoot on the halfway line and ran on to net Raith’s winner. MacDonald saved an injury-time Josh Mullin penalty but it was no consolation for Dougie Imrie, who was offered an apology from referee’s chief Crawford Allan- although it was strange that such a high authority’s view that Vaughan had cheated didn’t at least result in an SFA charge for the Raith striker, and no ban was to follow. 

Scottish football, eh? 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Opposition Analysis  

Raith are enjoying a fantastic season, of that there is no doubt. Currently sitting second in the table behind only Dundee United, their only defeats this season were in a League Cup group stage penalty shoot-out to Fife cousins Dunfermline, an extra time last sixteen visit to Hibernian and against Airdrie at New Broomfield in September. At this rate, they’re due one defeat a month, so October’s would be better late than never. 

Currently sitting a point behind United with a game in hand, they still have an interest in the SPFL Trust Trophy, and with the semi-finals pre-drawn, could welcome Morton for a place in the final. 

Of course, their success owes a lot to the investment that came in from the former owners of Kelty Hearts, who jumped ship over the summer, perhaps seeing Raith as having more potential than a club from what is effectively a village with a more limited potential support base. 

The signings of the likes of Hibs goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowski, as well as Euan Murray Keith Watson, and Mullin, Hamilton and Smith have supplemented a squad which already had solid Championship performers in Vaughan, Millen, Dylan Easton, Liam Dick and Sam Stanton. Even at this early stage, a play-off place looks like the worst-case scenario for Raith. 

What’s Happening Elsewhere? 

This is one of two regular midweek slots in the Championship this season, although only three games will take place. Arbroath and Queen’s Park moved their Gayfield encounter to the afternoon of our cup game at Ibrox, with both idle having exited the Viaplay Cup at the group stages. A second half Ruari Paton goal gave the Spiders the spoils. 

Similarly, Dunfermline and Inverness have re-arranged for the 18th of November with both sides out the SPFL Trust Trophy. Very fortunate for them that Dunfermline get a rest before their Friday night visit to Cappielow, like Inverness could cry off their visit to Morton a week and a half ago, yet Morton were forced to go to Hampden with players stuck in Greenock with no way for getting to the game. 

League leaders United go to Airdrie looking to build on a fine run of results, having demolished Partick 5-0 (stop laughing at the back, there) and Arbroath 6-0. The Diamonds have made New Broomfield a bit of a fortress this season, but since winning at Cappielow have fell away somewhat, and we’ll be hoping for an away win as we look to reel in the Lanarkshire side. 

Partick host Ayr at Firhill looking to get back on track having drawn their weekend derby at Hampden, and whilst Ayr are a more immediate target for Morton, the Glasgow side aren’t as far in the distance as you would think before studying the table. Having destroyed Ayr in front of the cameras earlier in the season and in the play-offs though, Ayr won’t be looking forward to visiting a club that very much have their number. 

Photo = GBR Photographs.

Betting Guide 

All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7am on 31st October 2023 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.  

Unsurprisingly, the visitors are the favourites, heading into the match at 29/20, whilst a home win is priced at 7/4, and the draw at 9/4. 

With two 1-0 victories in last season’s Cappielow meetings and Morton beginning to close the back door in recent weeks, you can get 7/1 for a repeat. The draw at half time and a Morton win at the death is priced at 21/4. 

Match Officials  

Referee- David Dickinson 

AR 1-  Paul O’Neill 

AR 2- Brian Christie