Match Preview | Wycombe Wanderers (H)

14 April 2023

Morecambe return to the Mazuma Stadium on Saturday 15 April with Wycombe Wanderers the visitors.

The Shrimps picked up a point last time out on Easter Monday with a 0-0 draw against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Wanderers beat relegation rivals Forest Green by two goals to nil in their previous outing on Monday.

The Opposition

The Chairboys competed in the Sky Bet Championship for the first time in their history during the 2020/21 season after beating Oxford United in the League One Play-Off Final back in 2020. Gareth Ainsworth’s side weren’t able to secure their Championship status for a second season however, and were relegated back to League One at the first time of asking. They finished sixth last season and reached the Play-Off Final once again, but were ultimately beaten at Wembley by Sunderland.

Matt Bloomfield is in charge at Adams Park having taken over from Gareth Ainsworth who spent just shy of 10 years as full-time manager. Bloomfield spent 19 years playing as a midfielder for The Chairboys between 2003 and 2022, making 488 appearances and scoring 40 goals. The 39-year-old began his managerial career at Colchester United in 2022 before taking the Wanderers job in February.

Key Players

Attacking midfielder Lewis Wing is the Chairboys’ second top scorer so far this season with eight goals in 42 appearances. His most recent goal involvement was an assist in Wycombe’s 2-0 win over Fleetwood Town at the start of March. During his career, the 27-year-old has spent time on loan at Yeovil Town, Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday.

Striker Sam Vokes has six goals so far this season and boasts a wealth of experience with over 200 appearances for Burnley between 2012 and 2019 - he also had spells with AFC Bournemouth, Wolves, Leeds United, Sheffield United and Stoke City. The Welshman gained international experience for Wales, gaining 64 caps for his country and scoring 11 goals.

Winger Garath McCleary has been supplying plenty of creativity for Wanderers from the right. The 35-year-old has eight assists for the Chairboys so far this campaign. McCleary made over 200 appearances for Reading before moving to Buckinghamshire in 2020 where he’s scored 21 goals in 100 appearances to-date.

Derek Adams’ Thoughts

Shrimps boss Derek Adams expects both teams to do everything to get three points on Saturday.

“It’s three points for each team and it’s vital” he said.

“They’ll be going all out at that leaves space on both sides, we’ll be going out to try and win the game they’ll leave space as well.

"They’ll understand we’ve got a very good home record.”

Team News

The Gaffer confirmed in his pre-match press conference he has five players unavailable for Saturday’s match.

Meet The Officials

Andrew Kitchen will referee Saturday’s game and will be assisted by Kevin Mulraine, Matthew Perry and fourth official Jamie O’Connor.

Kitchen has refereed 29 games this season; 12 in League Two, ten in League One, three in the FA Cup, two in the Carabao Cup and one in the Papa Johns Trophy and Premier League 2, respectively.

The official was last in the middle of a Morecambe game in September, a 3-0 home defeat against Sheffield Wednesday.

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Match Reports

Report | Morecambe 1 Wycombe Wanderers 0

15 April 2023

A dramatic Cole Stockton winner in the closing stages gave the Shrimps all three points against Wycombe Wanderers.

In what was an openly fought contest between the two sides, Stockton's 89th minute winner proved the difference.

Despite a couple of half chances in the opening stages, it was the Shrimps who came closest to breaking the deadlock on 14 minutes. Jensen Weir latched onto a ball down the line and delivered into the mix, but Dan Crowley couldn’t keep the resulting header down.

Wanderers themselves came close eight minutes later as Lewis Wing reacted quickest to a loose ball, but his strike was deflected narrowly wide.

Moments after the half-hour stage of proceedings, Weir appeared to be brought down under a challenge in the Wycombe box, but the referee disagreed and waved play on, despite protests from the men in red.

Both sides were able to get into good areas, but each defence stood firm and we headed into the break goalless.

Half-time: Morecambe 0 Wycombe Wanderers 0

Nine minutes into the second half, the visitors pounced on a loose ball and looked to punish the Shrimps, but after playing it into the path of Tjay De Barr who drove down on goal, he could only scuff the shot wide.

Stockton produced his side’s first chance of the second 45 after doing well under pressure to bring the ball down and create room for a shot, though the resulting effort was well wide.

After applying the pressure, it was our number nine who again came close with what would’ve been a Goal of the Season contender, but his overhead kick flew wide of Max Stryjek’s right-hand post.

At the other end, substitute Sam Vokes did well to turn and strike inside the box, but a defensive block kept the visitors at bay.

Wanderers again came close moments later through Chem Campbell, but he couldn’t adjust his feet quick enough to make an impactful effort on goal.

As the clock ticked over beyond 80 minutes, Connor Ripley was called into action to deny David Wheeler a sure opener at close range.

Moments later and our shot stopper again managed to keep out the opposition, this time a full stretch save keeping out Wing’s header.

With seconds of the 90 to play, the Mazuma Stadium room was lifted when Cole Stockton netted the winner; a fierce strike was kept out magnificently by Stryjek, but our number nine was in the right place at the right time to prod home.

Wycombe came close to a dramatic equaliser, but Jack Grimmer’s header cannoned back off the crossbar and away to safety.

Full-time: Morecambe 1 Wycombe Wanderers 0

Morecambe: Ripley, Love (Cooney 46’), Gibson, Rawson, Crowley, Stockton, Weir, Bedeau (Simeu 83’), Watts (Taylor 62’), Austerfield (Niasse 83’), Souaré (Gnahoua 88’).

Subs not used: Smith.

Goals: Stockton (89’).

Bookings: Cooney, Crowley, Stockton.

Red cards: None.

Wycombe Wanderers: Stryjek, Grimmer, Jacobson, Forino, Wheeler, Wing, Hanlan (Vokes 55’), McCarthy, Campbell (Thompson 78’), Scowen, De Barr (McCleary 55’).

Subs not used: Cartwright, Tafazolli, Willis, Freeman.

Goals: None.

Bookings: Forino, Thompson.

Red cards: None.

Attendance: 5,040 (234 away).

Ticket News

Ticket Details | Wycombe Wanderers (H)

10 April 2023

Tickets are on sale for our penultimate home game of the 2022/23 season against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday 15 April (15:00 KO).

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:
Friday 31 March, 13:00.	Friday 31 March, 13:00.	General Sale. Tickets available in SM Cars seated stand, Bartercard covered terrace and MGS uncovered terrace.

Additional Information

Sales deadline: Saturday 15 April, 15:00.
Refund deadline: Friday 14 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.