Match preview: Burton Albion v Morecambe

15 October 2021

The Shrimps travel to the Pirelli Stadium on Friday 15 October to take on Burton Albion in Sky Bet League One.

Stephen Robinson’s men return to action following the international break with a trip to the Midlands.

Last time out in the league, the Shrimps slipped to a 4-3 defeat away at Wycombe Wanderers. Alfie McCalmont, Adam Phillips and Jonah Ayunga got their names on the scoresheet, however their goals were cancelled out by Curtis Thompson’s 92nd minute strike which secured all three points for the hosts.

The Shrimps have won four out of the last 12 league meetings between the two sides and drawn two. Last time Morecambe travelled to the Pirelli Stadium was in October 2014, when goals from Kevin Ellison and Alex Kenyon secured a 2-0 victory on the road. Their only other meeting outside of the EFL was a League Cup clash in 2019 in which the Brewers came out 4-0 winners- the last time the two teams met.

The Opposition

Form guide

After winning their opening three games, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side have suffered a dip in form with just one victory from their last nine in Sky Bet League One. Their only defeat in the last three was a 2-1 loss at the hands of league leaders Plymouth Argyle. A win for the Brewers would spring them from 10th back closer to a play-off place.

After enjoying a successful career as a player with the likes of Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Leeds United, Hasselbaink’s first taste of management was in the Belgian Second Division with Royal Antwerp. He joined Burton Albion for the first time in November 2014 and guided them to their first ever promotion to League One. The 49-year-old spent time at Queens Park Rangers and Northampton Town before re-joining the Brewers for the second time at the beginning of this year.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s pre-match thoughts

The Burton Albion manager said he is aware of the threats that the Shrimps possess.

“It’s a team that stick together, a team that works hard together and they stick to their strengths,” Hasselbaink said.

“They are well organised, they have a low block and back off, which then allows them to hit sides of the break.

“They are in that momentum of promotion and feeling good, they are no mugs – you don’t go to Ipswich and play against Sheffield Wednesday and win if you are.”

Albion’s key players

Hasselbaink confirmed that Kane Hemmings is available for selection on Friday. The striker came off as a precautionary measure on Saturday away at Plymouth Argyle however the gaffer said he has trained and is “ready”. The 29-year-old made the move to the Pirelli Stadium in August 2020 and made his mark as top scorer for the season with 15 goals.

Versatile Lucas Akins has started the season strongly with three goals and two assists to his name so far this campaign. The 32-year-old has been with the Brewers since 2014 and scored the club’s 700th Football League goal at Home Park last weekend.

Teenage striker Daniel Jebbison could play a part on Friday. The 18-year-old is on loan at Albion from Championship side Sheffield United and represents England at Under 19 level.

Shrimps’ pre-match thoughts

Morecambe boss Stephen Robinson said his team are well equipped for the challenge ahead.

“Every game is absolutely huge,” Robinson stated.

“It’s a tough task on Friday night, one we are well equipped for and one we are well equipped to take points from.

“I like it, playing under the lights. It’s a nice stadium, a nice setup.

“They had a really good start to the season and then they’ve had some indifferent results recently but they’re a good team.”

Meet the men in black

Martin Coy will take charge of Friday night’s game under the lights with his assistants Andrew Hendley and Ollie Williams running the line. Billy Smallwood will be the fourth official.

Coy, who is based in Durham has taken charge of three Sky Bet League One games this season, three in Sky Bet League Two and two in the Carabao Cup. In those games he has handed out a total of 19 yellow cards and one red card.

The last time Coy took charge of the Shrimps was back in November 2019 in a 5-0 defeat away at Crewe Alexandra.

Don’t miss a kick with our iFollow coverage

After teaming up with Beyond Radio for the 2021/22 season, supporters will be able to listen to exclusive, full and uninterrupted radio commentary of every single game, home and away, which will be broadcast simultaneously across North Lancashire on 103.5 and 107.5FM, as well as on the iFollow Shrimps platform.

Joining host Dave Salmon is the club’s media assistant Matt Smith as well as special guest Gab Sutton, audio passes are available from as little as £2.50 per match, £4.49 for a monthly pass or £45 for a season pass.

As well as full match commentary, the ‘Shrimps Verdict’ podcast will be available post-match, featuring online, on demand content, including audio match highlights, post-match interviews and reaction, and the chance for supporters to have their say.

Match Reports

Report: Burton Albion 3-2 Shrimps

15 October 2021

Burton Albion 3-2 Morecambe
Sky Bet League One
Pirelli Stadium
Friday 15 October 2021
Kick-Off: 7:45pm
Attendance: 2,477

A five-goal game split three-two sees the Shrimps end up on the wrong side of the scoreline against Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium.

The game got off to a fantastic start for Robinson’s side as defender Liam Gibson lashed home a volley after four minutes.

But an own-goal from Kyle Letheren and a goal from Conor Shaughnessy gave the Brewers the lead at the break.

Shaughnessy got his second of the game just after the break to make it three-one to the hosts before a stoppage time goal from Cole Stockton saw the game end 3-2.

The first change of the game fell to Robinson’s side, a low throw into the box was initially missed by Alfie McCalmont, but there was Gibson to volley home from just inside the box leaving goalkeeper Ben Garratt with no chance.

It was the hosts with the next chance of the game, with a freak passage of play giving Burton their first goal of the evening.

A corner from Tom O’Connor was left at the front post by Adam Phillips, with that mistake the ball cannoned off Letheren into the back of his own net.

The Brewers took the lead in the 15th minute, a cross from the right by Lucas Akins was met by the head of Shaughnessy who powered his effort into the bottom-right corner.

Five minutes later the Brewers had another opportunity, a direct free-kick from Harry Chapman was heading into the bottom-left corner, but a very good save from Letheren denied him.

With the game edging closer to the break, Alfie McCalmont had a great chance for the visitors.

A counter-attack from the on-loan Leeds United man saw him carry the ball to just outside of Garratt’s box before unleashing a curling effort, but the home keeper did well to make the save.

Three minutes before the break it was Robinson’s men who came close to a leveller. A direct corner from Phillips hit the outside of Garratt’s and bounced clear to the delight of the goalkeeper.

Half-time: Burton Albion 2-1 Morecambe

The first chance of the second period fell to the home side, who in-turn, scored their third of the game.

An effort from O’Connor on the angle managed to evade everyone and end up in the bottom-left corner of Letheren’s goal.

On the 52nd minute, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side came close again.

This time a corner from O’Connor who had been pulling the strings for Burton all night found the head of Shaughnessy, who was looking for his second of the affair.

On the 67th minute, the Shrimps had a massive opportunity to get back into the game. A ball over the top found Stockton, who broke the Brewers back-line - but he could not find the back of the net on this occasion.

The visitors continued to pile on the pressure and came close again moments later, after some good work from Stockton, he managed to find enough space to shoot only for his effort to be blocked.

Robinson’s side did have a second bit of the cherry in the same passage of play but Aaron Wildig’s effort from just inside the box was blocked as well.

Into the fourth minute of stoppage time, the Shrimps managed to pull one back.

A long throw into the box by Ryan Cooney was flicked on by Anthony O’Connor at the near post, and there was Stockton to head home with moments of the game remaining.

Full-time: Burton Albion 3-2 Morecambe

We are on the road again on Tuesday night as we head to the Jonny-Rocks Stadium to face Cheltenham Town.

Burton: Garratt, Borthwick-Jackson, Oshilaja, Akins, Smith, O’Connor, Shaughnessy, Jebbison (Hemmings 71’), Hamer, Mancienne (Taylor 81’), Chapman (Lakin 74’).

Subs not used: Balcombe, Gilligan, Leak, Maddox.

Goals: Letheren 6’ (OG), Shaughnessy 15’, O’Connor 49’

Bookings: Hamer 33’, Chapman 56’, Oshilaja 78’, Mancienne 78’

Red cards: None.

Morecambe: Letheren, Gibson, O’Connor (C), Cooney, Diagouraga, Stockton, Phillips (Wildig 58’), McCalmont, McDonald (Leigh 58’), Gnahoua (Ayunga 46’), Wootton.

Subs not used: Andresson, Jones, Delaney, Price.

Goals: Gibson 4’, Stockton 90+4'

Bookings: Gibson 90’

Red cards: None.

Ticket News

Supporters attending Burton Albion

11 October 2021

An update regarding supporters attending our Sky Bet League One fixture against Burton Albion on Friday 15 October.

Burton Albion have been in contact to explain that should we not sell a minimum of 200 tickets for the terrace by close of play tomorrow then the terrace area will be closed on the day and all supporters will be asked to sit in the away seated area.

You can purchase tickets online here Morecambe FC
For phone sales please call 01524 411797 (option 3)
Call into the club shop, open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm and matchdays 10am to 3pm

Any supporters wishing to attend this fixture, we urge you to purchase your tickets as soon as possible.