MATCH PREVIEW: Greenock Morton v Forfar Athletic
[Thursday, 06 November 2014 23:01]
The ‘Loons’ head west on Saturday eager to get back to winning ways, two drawn league encounters being followed by last Saturday’s disappointing cup tie defeat.
However they head to Cappielow for the first time since April, 2007 sitting still proudly top of the SPFL League One table and determined to repeat their early season success over Jim Duffy’s outfit.
At Station Park in late August, the final score line of 3-2 in Forfar’s favour slightly flattered the visitors who were outplayed for much of the contest. Gavin Swankie netted a brace that day, Danny Denholm the third, Scotland Under 21 cap Declan McManus on loan from Aberdeen and Reece Hands with a last minute counter the Morton marksmen.
Dick Campbell’s ‘troops’ will head west with a fresh face in their ranks after the capture on loan of Dundee United midfielder Scott Smith.
The manager is also hopeful that Stuart Malcolm’s neck injury will have cleared up sufficiently to allow him to return in central defence, but Mark Baxter remains a doubt.
Aaron James could find a spot on the bench following his return in the Development League fixture at Kirkcaldy on Tuesday, while Chris Templeman is certain to be considered for a starting berth against one of his former clubs.
Morton according to reports were lucky to escape with a draw at home to Airdrieonians in the cup last weekend and face a tricky replay at the Excelsior Stadium next midweek. They do go into the game on the back of an excellent 2-1 away win at Dunfermline in their last league outing, goals in the dying moments of that contest from Thomas O’Ware and McManus sealing the points.
They will be minus Joe McKee, suspended following his straight red card against the ‘Diamonds.’
Hopefully despite the 120 mile trip, a few ‘Loons’ diehards will make the journey to Greenock to back their favourites, prior to next Saturday’s much shorter sojourn to Glebe Park.
The referee for the contest is Ayrshire based Greg Aitken who handled the first Premiership game of his career last Saturday.