Match Preview - Greenock Morton

Oli Anderson previews today’s Premier Sports Cup Group F match against Greenock Morton

Following a successful pre-season, seeing us punch well above our weight against championship opposition, the Fifers gear up for their first competitive game of the season, hosting Greenock Morton in the Premier Sports Cup group stage. In a group containing 3 higher league opposition, East Fife will have to continue on the trajectory displayed through pre-season to progress to the second round of the competition.

The League Cup Fixtures

Saturday 13/07: East Fife vs Greenock Morton @ MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

Tuesday 16/07: Alloa Athletic vs East Fife @ The Indodrill Stadium.

Tuesday 23/07: East Fife vs Brechin @ MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

Saturday 27/07: St Johnstone vs East Fife @ McDiarmid Park

Both Saturday games will kick off at 15:00, while the Tuesday evening clashes have a scheduled 19:45 kick off time.

Table to follow, following completion of the first round of fixtures.

A Message from the Management Team.

We had the opportunity prior to the game to chat with Assistant Manager Ian ‘Pink’ Campbell. During the chat, Pink highlighted Morton’s quality, expressing that we will be up against it, facing a strong Championship side. He touched on how Morton will be “firm favourites” going into the game, though he has the utmost belief in the Fife squad to cause problems for the Ton.

Pre-Season Form

The Fifers

28^th June - East Fife 2-0 Dunfermline Athletic: MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

Our first of three friendly games saw an impressive victory over championship opposition, and county rivals, Dunfermline Athletic.

Playing a long ball over the top, Dunfermline struggled to find any success due to new signing Andy Munro and Brian Easton’s formidable partnership. Watching the resolute defending on both sides, it became clear that it would take a moment of magic to break the deadlock.

Kieran Millar took it upon himself to break the deadlock, rifling a shot into the top corner. It was so well placed that even two goalkeepers would not have been able to stop it. He caught it as sweet as a nut and wheeled away in celebration when the ball burst the net- Deservedly so!

The second half saw a large rotation, with trialists coming into the fold. One of which played an outstanding pass into Scott Shepherd, who slotted home into the bottom left-hand corner, ridding the goalkeeper of any opportunity to keep it out. The goal brought a close to the action, as we punched well above our weight, to overcome the side from the west of Fife.

29^th June- East Fife 0-0 Raith Rovers: Pat Slattery’s Testimonial: MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

Pat Slattery’s testimonial was up next, less than 24 hours later, and the Fifers came away with another clean sheet, drawing 0-0 with close rivals Raith Rovers. Trialist Liam McFarlane started in goal, going on to sign on loan from Hearts following the game.

East Fife had the better of the chances among the two teams, with East Fife having the ball in the back of the net twice, on either side of the half time whistle. 20 minutes into the game it was Nathan Austin who looked to have his name on the scoresheet before the linesman’s flag was up, while the second time round it was a bit more of a stramash.

Keeping another clean sheet against full time opposition was great, though celebrating Pat Slattery’s ten years with East Fife was just as good if not better.

2^nd July- East Fife 0-0 Queen’s Park: MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

We finished our pre-season campaign maintaining another clean sheet against a full time Championship side, in Queen’s Park. Both sides had chances across the game, with the Fifers having their best spell at the start of the second half.

The first half saw us under a lot of pressure, being overrun at times by the second-tier side, with our only chances being snatched at. Shots came from trialists who were trying to make their mark, though they could not beat Calum Ferrie.

The second half saw us attack set pieces, rather than waiting for the second ball, and we nearly saw instant results from this change, with Charlie Murray rattling the crossbar early into the second period. Five minutes later Scott Shepherd could have made it two goals in three games, though the keeper was alert to deny Scotty’s follow up shot.

10 minutes later saw East Fife’s best, but final opportunity of the game. Shepherd showed off his pace and power, as he managed to beat his man to a well-placed through ball, shrugging him off, before leaving them in the dust. As he barrelled in on goal, the Queens goalkeeper rushed off his line, forcing Shepherd to hit it early, allowing him to make another impressive save.

The full-time whistle went after a back-and-forth half, largely competed in the middle of the pitch. The result ensured that East Fife managed to keep the back door shut across the three games, taking scalps from all three Championship sides.

Our Opposition

Morton, who are preparing to kick off their 150^th anniversary season, have had a strong pre-season themselves, scooping up three wins from four games.

Their first friendly was against Queen of the South, at Cappielow, and it was a very closely contested affair. Both sides caused problems, which saw both the Morton and Queens goalkeeper being called into action throughout. The game looked destined for a draw, before Lamar Reynolds broke the deadlock. With just five minutes left on the clock, Reynolds capitalised on a loose ball in the box, heading home for Greenock Morton, claiming victory in the process.

On the second of July, Morton returned to Cappielow to face another side in our League Cup group, Alloa Athletic. Another close game saw the sides goalless at the interval, with both goalkeepers on form once again. Shortly after the restart however, Greenock Morton struck. Owen Moffat dispossessed the Alloa centre back after some miscommunication with the goalkeeper. Moffat, with the ball at his feet was faced with a wide-open goal, which he was more than able to convert into, handing another victory to Greenock Morton.

Following Alloa, Morton hosted League One’s Annan Athletic, and ran out 1-0 winners for the third time in a row. Similar to the Alloa game, the winner came at the start of the second period, through Jordan Davies, who latched onto a great Owen Moffat through ball. The friendlies truly highlighted Moffat as a threat, something in which we are sure the Fifers will be more than ready to nullify.

The final friendly did not have as favourable a result as the previous games, as Morton fell 2-0 to Premiership opposition St. Mirren, in the Communities Cup. The Buddies flew into a 1-0 lead inside three minutes, through Roland Idowu, before the forward grabbed his brace 30 minutes later, sealing the deal for St Mirren.

Previous Encounters

Having not met in the league for a number of seasons, the Fifers and the Ton have only met twice in the last five years, and both games have been tight affairs.

Most recently, Greenock Morton snuck past us in the third round of the Scottish Cup in the 2020/21 season. Former Fife captain Kevin Smith fired us ahead on the hour mark, and we looked to have the contest wrapped up, before a Sean McGinty penalty in the 91^st minute put a stop to that. Robbie Muirhead would go on to score in the second period of extra time, ensuring the progression of Morton in the Cup.

Before that, the sides met once more in the Scottish Cup in the 2018/19 season. A fast start from Morton looked to put the Fifers under pressure, with Bob McHugh getting on the scoresheet after seven minutes. Anton Dowds bounced back just two minutes later, before Craig Watson scored in the dying embers, to slide the Black and Gold into the fifth round of the competition.

Squad News

The Methil Milan boast a full squad going into matchday one of the League Cup group stages. A full fit squad gives the Campbells and co. plenty to think about heading into this afternoon.

Match Tickets

Please find match ticket prices below:

Adult - £15

Over 65s - £10

Under 16 -£5

There are no cash turnstiles at Bayview, so supporters are encouraged to buy their ticket online in advance where possible. However, ticket can also be purchased (cash and card) from the matchday reception for those unable to do so.

Please note that season tickets are not valid for this game, though season ticket holders can reserve their usual seat.

On top of this, due to gate money for the game being split between the two sides, the community gate will not be in operation on Saturday.

Live Stream

Live streaming of the clash with Greenock Morton is available worldwide for £15 on EFTV. Our international support can also access the game through their annual or monthly subscription.

Team Colours

The Fifers will don the new black and gold, MPH Group-sponsored shirt, with black socks and shorts to match, with the Fife goalkeeper in yellow.

Morton will be clad in blue and white for the tie, with white shorts and blue socks completing the strip. The Ton goalkeeper will wear mint green this afternoon.

Officials

The referee for Saturday will be Colin Whyte, with his assistants Jonathan Bell and Chris Hobbs running the lines.

The Fun Bits

The stadium bar will be open from 12:15pm. We invite you to join us for a drink (or several!)

Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the ground from 2:00pm this afternoon. Both cash and card are accepted

Issue number 2 of The Bayview will be on sale outside the ground, in the club shop and online, for £3. In the 40-page edition of the programme, you can find a feature interview with Andy Munro, along with much more.

‘Mon the Fife!