Morton v Dunfermline Athletic – Match Preview 

by Russell Gordon

The second leg of Morton’s Fife double header at Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology sees Dunfermline Athletic and the BBC Scotland cameras visit for the first time this season. 

After Tuesday’s disappointing result against big-spending Raith Rovers, the need for a positive result against their cousins from across the Kingdom cannot be emphasised enough. 

Tickets are available from Fanbase at the link below: 

Fanbase | Dashboard (fanbaseclub.com) 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Squad News 

There’s unlikely to be too many knocks after Tuesday’s exertions, but Dougie Imrie could well shuffle his limited pack with Morton going into their third game in six days, while Dunfermline enjoyed the luxury of a midweek with their feet up. 

Long term casualties Jai Quitongo and Darragh O’Connor will of course miss out, but there should be a clean bill of health otherwise. 

Following his booking on Tuesday, Robbie Muirhead joins Kirk Broadfoot on five league yellows and walking a suspension tightrope, with a sixth leading to a one match ban. 

Current Connections 

There are no former Morton players in the Dunfermline squad, although Pars’ gaffer James McPake “enjoyed” a brief loan spell at Cappielow from Livingston in 2006, scoring twice in ten appearances. 

In the home dressing room, Iain Wilson spent a season and a half at East End Park before moving to Cappielow for his first spell at Morton, scoring a 25 yard “screamer” on his return to Fife in a televised 1-1 draw. 

Another player who made the move from Dunfermline to Greenock is Robbie Muirhead, vilified by sections of the Pars’ support for his contribution in his time there, only to move to Morton and enjoy a more fruitful spell in Inverclyde. 

It would be rude to discuss connections between the clubs without mentioning the swap deal which brought Ross Forbes to Cappielow with Andrew Barrowman heading in the opposite direction in January 2015. Yes, I know it’s not a “current” connection, but please just indulge me. 

Tale of the Tape 

The less said about Morton’s visit to East End Park in September the better. Perhaps one of our worst performances of the season saw us fall 1-3 to tonight’s visitors on their patch, with goals from Craig Wighton and Lewis McCann in the first half hour giving Morton a mountain to climb. 

While Robbie Crawford reduced the deficit late on, a late Michael O’Halloran sucker punch ensured the points stayed in Fife. Added to that, injuries to Tyler French, which turned out not to be as serious as first thought, and particularly the still-sidelined Darragh O’Connor, made for an afternoon those of a Morton persuasion would rather forget. 

On a more positive note however, Morton have an decent record against Dunfermline over the last few years, particularly at Cappielow. The ‘Ton remain unbeaten in Greenock against Dunfermline in their last ten visits, stretching back to a 0-1 defeat which cost Jim Duffy’s side the landmark of going a full calendar year unbeaten in March 2017. 

Since then, Morton have won four, and drawn six against Dunfermline at home, although one of those draws saw us advance in the Scottish Cup after a penalty shoot-out in the dark old days of COVID in 2021. 

Undoubtably the most memorable of those visits from our friends from the Kingdom was on the occasion of Dougie Imrie’s home debut in the hot seat, when a scintillating Morton performance saw them obliterate John Hughes’ Fifers 5-0, thanks to goals from Gary Oliver (as usual), Cammy Blues, Gavin Reilly, a Coll Donaldson own goal and Robbie Muirhead. More of the same this evening would be lovely, please and thank you. 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Opposition Analysis  

Things went from bad to worse for Dunfermline after that last visit to Cappielow, eventually dropping to League One at the end of the season. 

However, having made light work of winning the League One title at the expense of their wee pals Falkirk, Dunfermline have enjoyed an up-and-down campaign thus far, enjoying and opening day victory over fellow promoted side, Airdrie and a win at Hampden as well as that last victory over Morton. 

However, since defeating the ‘Ton in September, the Pars have lost three on the bounce, against Partick, Ayr and most recently local rivals Raith at the weekend. With Dundee United approaching in next Friday’s TV game, they’ll be hoping to arrest that run of results at Cappielow, as a reverse could see them enduring an extended run of defeats. 

However, sitting three points ahead of Morton with a game in hand, a victory on the road would provide a welcome cushion for James McPake’s side from the bottom of the table. Morton simply cannot allow that to happen. 

What’s Happening Elsewhere? 

With our game taking place the night before the other four Championship fixtures, it would be nice to sit back knowing we’ve done our bit and hope for the best. 

Arbroath welcome Partick to Gayfield, hoping for a repeat of their 3-0 mauling of the Jags a few weeks ago, although from a Morton perspective, swallowing a bit of pride and looking for a favour from Tarquin and Sebastian’s favourites might be the best approach. 

Ayr host Queen’s Park at Somerset Park, looking to improve on a home record that’s even worse than ours, whilst the Spiders haven’t exactly been setting the heather alight themselves. Draw please. 

In the other fixtures we’ll be looking for home wins as title-chasing Dundee United and Raith Rovers host Inverness and Airdrie respectively. 

In the Scottish Cup Second Round, East of Scotland Premier Division Luncarty host Lowland League Bo’ness United in their re-arranged tie from last weekend, with the prize of a trip to Cappielow at the end of the month awaiting the winners. 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Betting Guide  

All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7am on 3rd November 2023 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.  

The bookies can’t separate the sides, with both priced at 6/4 and the draw at 23/10. 

Robbie Muirhead is comes in at 7/1 to score the first goal, and for the optimistic, a repeat of that 5-0 mauling on Dunfermline’s last visit is 90/1. I didn’t advise you to put that on, though! 

Match Officials 

Referee- Graham Grainger 

AR 1- Steven Traynor 

AR 2- Calum Doyle 

Fourth Official- Iain Snedden