Match Preview | Plymouth Argyle (H)

6 April 2023

After back-to-back away games, the Shrimps return to the Mazuma Stadium on Friday 7 April when they take on Plymouth Argyle in Sky Bet League One.

Morecambe were beaten 5-0 by Barnsley in their last game, and in their most recent game at the Mazuma, Derek Adams’ side were held to a 1-1 draw by Oxford United.

Argyle were last in action on Sunday when they were beaten 4-0 by Bolton Wanderers at Wembley in the Papa Johns Trophy final.

The Opposition

The Pilgrims sit second in League One with 24 wins, eight draws and six defeats from 38 games.

Having been in League One since their promotion out of League Two in 2020, Argyle are looking for promotion out of the division this season, something they last achieved when they were crowned champions in 2004. They are three time third tier champions and have come runners up eight times in the division.

Steven Schumacher is in charge at Home Park and has been since Ryan Lowe departed for Preston North End in 2021. Schumacher was Lowe’s assistant and played as a midfielder for the likes of Bradford City, Crewe Alexandra and Bury. In his first season, the 38-year-old took charge of Plymouth in an FA Cup fourth round tie against Chelsea and saw his side drop into the play-off places on the final day of last season.

Key Players

Ryan Hardie has been Argyle's in-form man in front of goal so far this season. The Scotsman has 13 goals as well as three assists to-date. His last goal involvement was an assist in Plymouth’s last league game, a 2-0 win against Accrington Stanley. The 26-year-old began life in Devon on loan from Blackpool in 2020 and signed permanently in 2021.

Midfielder Finn Azaz has provided the creative spark for the Pilgrims so far this campaign with seven goals and seven assists in the current campaign. On loan from Aston Villa, the 22-year-old spent last season at Newport County and scored seven goals in 42 games, a goal tally he’s been able to equal this season in just 27 games.

Forward Morgan Whittaker has also been chipping in with plenty of goals for Argyle this season with nine as well as seven assists this season. The Swansea City loanee has also represented England from U16 through to U20 level.

Derek Adams’ Thoughts

Shrimps boss Derek Adams emphasised the importance of the final six games of the season, starting with Friday's visit of Plymouth Argyle.

“We’ve got to win every game between now and the end of the season,” he said.

“We’ve got a number of young players in the squad and we’ve taken in loans, and we’ve given ourselves a fighting chance with six game to go to stay in League One.”

Team News

Derek Adams has the majority of his squad available for selection on Friday aside from a few doubts.

Meet The Officials

Marc Edwards will referee Friday’s game and will be assisted by Chris Isherwood, Richard Woodward and fourth official Matt Corlett.

Edwards has officiated 24 games this season; 11 in League Two, nine in League One, three in the Papa Johns Trophy and one in the FA Cup.

The official last took charge of a Morecambe game in November when the Shrimps drew 1-1 with Derby County at the Mazuma.

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Match Reports

Report | Morecambe 1 Plymouth Argyle 3

7 April 2023

The Shrimps were beaten 3-1 by league leaders Plymouth Argyle at the Mazuma Stadium on Good Friday.

Jensen Weir fired the home side in front early on, but second half goals from Danny Mayor, Ben Waine and Jay Matete meant it was the visitors who claimed all three points.

Derek Adams' men made the perfect start after three minutes with counter attack following a Plymouth corner. Dan Crowley sent Weir racing through on goal, his shot beat Argyle goalkeeper Callum Burton and nestled in the back of the net.

Weir had a fantastic opportunity to add to his, and Morecambe's, tally for the afternoon when Liam Gibson fed the ball to him from the left, but the Shrimps' man was unable to get his effort on target from just inside the box.

Plymouth came close to levelling the scoreline just before the break when Mickel Miller crossed from the left to find Joe Edwards, his header was sent wide.

The Reds continued to press for a second and nearly found it when Crowley’s cross from the right flashed across the six-yard box and was cleared away just in time by an Argyle defender.

Half-time: Morecambe 1 Plymouth Argyle 0

The Shrimps began the second half in the ascendancy when Cole Stockton forced a good save out of Burton from inside the Argyle area.

Argyle levelled proceedings just beyond the hour mark when Mayor picked up the ball on the edge of the Morecambe box and curled his effort into the bottom-right corner.

Plymouth almost had a second when Ryan Hardie flicked a header towards goal at the near post, his effort was excellently tipped over the bar by Connor Ripley.

Donald Love wasn’t far away from giving the Shrimps the advantage when he hit one on the half-volley, but the fierce strike flew narrowly wide.

With four minutes of normal time to play, the visitors took the lead when the ball was cut back to Waine from the right, he made no mistake from close range.

The Pilgrims rounded off the scoring when substitutue Matete raced through on goal and beat Ripley with his side footed effort in the third minute of time added on.

Full-time: Morecambe 1 Plymouth Argyle 3

Morecambe: Ripley, Love, Gibson, Rawson, Delaney, Crowley (Watts 71’), Stockton, Weir, Austerfield, Souaré (Mayor, 90’), Simeu (Niasse, 90’).

Subs not used: Smith, Taylor, Gnahoua, Cooney.

Goals: Weir (3’).

Bookings: Rawson, Austerfield.

Red cards: None

Plymouth Argyle: Burton, Houghton (Matete, 83’), Wilson, Scarr, Butcher (Mayor, 57’) , Edwards (Mumba, 75’), Hardie, Miller (Wright, 75’), Cosgrove (Waine, 57’), Galloway, Wright.

Subs not used: Parkes, Lonwijk, Matete.

Goals: Mayor (63’), Waine (87’), Matete (90+3’)

Bookings: Edwards.

Red cards: None.

Attendance: 4,904.

Ticket News

Ticket Details | Plymouth Argyle (H)

22 March 2023

Tickets are now on sale for our Sky Bet League One home game against Plymouth Argyle on Friday 7 April.

Ticket Prices

	Standing	Seating
Adult	£20	£25
Concession	£15	£20
Young Adult 18-22	£10	£15
Junior 14-17	£5	£7
Child Under 14*	£3	£5

*All children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult (over 18).

Disabled/Ambulant Supporters

We have a limited number of wheelchair spaces available, please contact the club shop directly to purchase these spaces along with carer tickets. All disabled and ambulant supporters will pay the price stated above and will be entitled to one complimentary carer ticket. To purchase a disabled or ambulant ticket with a complimentary carer, please contact the Morecambe FC Club Shop directly.

On Sale Dates (selling order)

Online from:	Over the phone and in-store from:	On sale to:
Wednesday 22 March, 13:00.	Wednesday 22 March, 13:00.	General Sale. Tickets available in SM Cars seated stand, Bartercard covered terrace and MGS uncovered terrace.

Additional Information

Sales deadline: Friday 7 April, 15:00.
Refund deadline: Thursday 6 April, 17:00.

FAQs

Tickets sold subject to the selling order as instructed above.
Tickets are sold subject to availability.
Supporters will notice a new points section as part of the purchasing process. This is for internal use only.

Fans are strongly advised to purchase tickets in advance of the fixture to avoid delays on the day of the match.