Greenock Morton Preview


Fourth Round Tie!

By C. Ferguson
February 27 2003

After defeating Forfar last Monday night the Blues have a great chance of progressing into the Quarter Finals of the Scottish Cup for the first time if they can overcome Third Division high-flyers Morton at a packed and noisy Cappielow on Saturday.

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Match Guide
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Tennents Scottish Cup Fourth Round
GREENOCK MORTON
Morton Badge V Stranraer Logo

STRANRAER

Cappielow Park, Saturday 22nd February 2003, Kick-off 3:00 pm

Match Sponsor: Tennents

Tennents Scottish Cup Draw
Fourth Round
Saturday, 22nd February 2003 and Sunday, 23rd February 2003
(kick-off's 3pm Unless Stated)
Celtic
v
 St Johnstone (Sunday 3pm)
Greenock Morton v Stranraer
Alloa Athletic v Falkirk
Dundee
v
 Aberdeen
Inverness C.T.
v
 Hamilton Accies
Clyde
v
 Motherwell
Ayr United
v
 Rangers
Dunfermline
v
 Hibernian (5.35pm)

Past Matches

Overall there have been 28 Matches between the sides with Morton winning 16 to Stranraer's 7 and there have been 5 Draws. Morton have scored 59 times to Stranraer's 41. At Cappielow Morton have won 9, drawn 4 and lost just the once to the Blues and that was in 1961. The Ton have scored 35 to the Blues 15.

The last match between the sides was the 2nd March 2002 at Stair Park which ended 0-0. This was one of three draws against Morton last season.
Stranraer 0 Morton 0 02/03/2002
Morton 2 Stranraer 2 12/01/2002
Stranraer 1 Morton 4 03/11/2001
Morton 1 Stranraer 1 25/08/2001

Blues Team News

Stranraer have a few bumps and bruises from Monday's cup win over Forfar but manager Billy McLaren is hopeful he will have a full squad to choose from. He has had Morton watched twice and states: "They are a well-organised side and it will be a difficult game for us."


The Opposition - Greenock Morton

Who should Stranraer keep and eye on? Read on and find out.
Emilio Bottiglieri
Alex Williams
Craig Coyle
Derek Collins
Jani Uotinen
Emilio Bottiglieri
Alex Williams
Craig Coyle
Derek Collins
Jari Uotinen
John Maisano
Scott Bannerman
Warren Hawke
Eddie Annand
John Maisano
Scott Bannerman
Warren Hawke
Eddie Annand

Eddie Annand celebrating Morton's new signing Eddie Annand who may feature against the Blues on Saturday.

Top scorers at a glance
Alex Williams
24
Jani Uotinen
8
John Maisano
5
Warren Hawke
5
David McGregor
3

Injury Worries: Ton boss John McCormack says that the club is buzzing ahead of the match. His only injury doubt is over Eddie Annand who will face a late fitness test. He is expecting a tough match against Stranraer but added that having a big home support behind them will help their chances of progressing.

Current form: D W D W W
Recommended Web Link:

For an in-depth look at the Morton squad, don't forget to buy the Official Match Programme at Cappielow Park on matchday.

Club Connections
Dougie Johnstone
Paul Blair
Stephen Aitken
Dougie Johnstone
Paul Blair
Stephen Aitken

Three former Morton players who have played past and presently for Stranraer are central defender Dougie Johnstone, forward Paul Blair and present captain (and former Morton captain) Stephen Aitken.

Dougie joined the Blues in 1998 after playing 86 games for Morton, while Paul joined from Albion Rovers in February 2000.

Recently Alan Blaikie played for both clubs while Blues manager Billy McLaren is of course a former Morton player. [Thanks to Chris in Paisley for the information]

If you know of any other connections, please feel free to e-mail me (sandy@stranraerfc.net) with any submissions.

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Ticket & Admission Information

Admission to this match is cash at the gate.
Turnstile prices are: GROUND (Adult £8; Unemployed/OAP £4; Student £5; Child Under 16 £2),
STAND (Adult £10; Unemployed/OAP £5; Student £6; Child Under 16 £5; Parent & Child £12)

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