Match Previews

country flag Championship Round 14
Ayr United vs. Morton
Sat 17 November 2018 15:00
Referee
Willie Collum
Weather at KO
Travel Info
Distance
(Distance Matrix)

Ayr United

Last updated: Sun 18 November 2018 08:04
In Brief

Adams unavailable. Geggan available with rest of squad. Rotation in midfield expected. No further injury or suspension news.

Looking Back

In testing wet conditions at Somerset Park Ayr drew 1-1 with Queen of the South last time out. Michael Rose put Ayr in front but Queens hit back with a late goal. Despite dropping points Ayr have opened up a four-point gap as Ross County were defeated by Dundee United.

Ayr smashed Morton 5-1 at Cappielow in their first meeting this season. Lawrence Shankland put them in front before Morton equalised. However, the closing quarter of the game was dominated by Ayr with Shankland scoring another, Craig Moore grabbing a double and Declan McDaid completing the scoring.

Ayr's form at Somerset had been perfect until the Queens encounter. The weather played a significant part in Ayr's failure to win and suggests they could struggle in heavy winter conditions. However, Ayr have only dropped two points at home from a possible 18 so far this season.

Looking Ahead

Jamie Adams (thigh) remains unavailable and is expected to remain out for around two weeks. Andy Geggan has recovered from illness and should be available to face Morton.

Ayr are managing their playing resources with care. There could be further squad rotation with Michael Moffat and Declan McDaid in contention for starts.

Veteran defender and club captain, Chris Higgins, returned to the bench last week. The popular defender has been out of action for almost a year but is finally fully fit and again and may come into contention as injuries and suspensions start to hit Ayr's squad.

Points of Interest

Ayr have also met Morton in the Betfred Cup this season. They won 3-1 at Somerset Park thanks to a second half hat-trick from Lawrence Shankland.

Morton

Last updated: Sun 18 November 2018 08:04
In Brief

Armour and Johnstone unavailable. Lyon, Millar and Telfer doubtful. Thomson and Tiffoney all available. Bell also available. Waddell extends loan. No further squad concerns.

Looking Back

After seeing the good side of Morton when they thrashed Partick Thistle 5-1, they revealed their bad side last week as they lost 2-0 at home to part-time Alloa. Despite having the bulk of possession they couldn't break Alloa down and Alloa hit them with two penalties in the closing stages as Morton pushed men forward.

Morton crashed to a 5-1 defeat when they met Ayr earlier this season. Morton were level at the interval thanks to a Charlie Telfer goal, but they collapsed badly in the closing stages and conceded a further four goals in the second half.

Just as Morton appear to heading in the right direction they throw in a performance like the one against Alloa. They have been dealing with significant injury issues so inconsistency can only be expected. They have bounced back from previous defeats this season and must he hoping for the same response again.

Looking Ahead

Morton still have various injury concerns ahead of the fixture at Ayr. Denny Johnstone (knee) will remain on the sidelines along with Ben Armour. Connor Bell is now available and proved his fitness in a midweek game.

Reece Lyon (knee) also missed out last week after scoring on his debut. Morton are waiting to see how his swollen knee responds to treatment. Charlie Telfer was unavailable last week too and remains doubtful to face Ayr. Chris Millar also remains a doubt.

Robert Thomson is gradually returning to match sharpness and should be on the bench again at Ayr. Scott Tiffoney is also pressing for a start after recovering from a broken hand.

Defender, Kerr Waddell, has extended his loan from Dundee until the end of the season.

Points of Interest

In addition to their heavy defeat in the Championship, Morton also lost 3-1 at Ayr in the Betfred Cup this season. Michael Tisder opened the scoring for Morton, but Ayr scored three in the second half to win.

Suspended
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Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability)
  • ---
Rested
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Suspended
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Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
  • ---
Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench
Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench

Morton

Last updated: Sun 18 November 2018 08:04
In Brief

Armour and Johnstone unavailable. Lyon, Millar and Telfer doubtful. Thomson and Tiffoney all available. Bell also available. Waddell extends loan. No further squad concerns.

Looking Back

After seeing the good side of Morton when they thrashed Partick Thistle 5-1, they revealed their bad side last week as they lost 2-0 at home to part-time Alloa. Despite having the bulk of possession they couldn't break Alloa down and Alloa hit them with two penalties in the closing stages as Morton pushed men forward.

Morton crashed to a 5-1 defeat when they met Ayr earlier this season. Morton were level at the interval thanks to a Charlie Telfer goal, but they collapsed badly in the closing stages and conceded a further four goals in the second half.

Just as Morton appear to heading in the right direction they throw in a performance like the one against Alloa. They have been dealing with significant injury issues so inconsistency can only be expected. They have bounced back from previous defeats this season and must he hoping for the same response again.

Looking Ahead

Morton still have various injury concerns ahead of the fixture at Ayr. Denny Johnstone (knee) will remain on the sidelines along with Ben Armour. Connor Bell is now available and proved his fitness in a midweek game.

Reece Lyon (knee) also missed out last week after scoring on his debut. Morton are waiting to see how his swollen knee responds to treatment. Charlie Telfer was unavailable last week too and remains doubtful to face Ayr. Chris Millar also remains a doubt.

Robert Thomson is gradually returning to match sharpness and should be on the bench again at Ayr. Scott Tiffoney is also pressing for a start after recovering from a broken hand.

Defender, Kerr Waddell, has extended his loan from Dundee until the end of the season.

Points of Interest

In addition to their heavy defeat in the Championship, Morton also lost 3-1 at Ayr in the Betfred Cup this season. Michael Tisder opened the scoring for Morton, but Ayr scored three in the second half to win.

Suspended
  • ---
Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
  • ---
Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench

Key

Key players
Regular players
Support players
75% - Chance of availability
Artificial Pitch
Universal Player Grid
Squad Confirmed
Played in Cup fixture
New Information

Team Strength*

Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Just Adequate
Poor
*Based on Available Players
Game Score
Round 14
Ayr United - Morton 0 - 0
Dundee United - Alloa Athletic 4 - 2
Round 20
Morton - Ross County 1 - 0
Round 27
Dundee United - Ross County 1 - 0