Match Preview | Ipswich Town (A)

24 January 2023

Morecambe will be looking to continue their unbeaten start to 2023 on Tuesday 24 January when they take on Ipswich Town away from home in Sky Bet League One.

The Shrimps began 2023 with a 5-0 win over Burton Albion and, in their most recent game, overcame Cheltenham Town 2-1 at the Mazuma Stadium on 7 January.

Freezing temperatures meant our home clash against Port Vale originally scheduled for 21 January was postponed whereas structural damage to a stand at Cambridge United the week before put a halt to that fixture.

Ipswich were last in action on 21 January where The Tractor Boys fell to a 2-1 defeat away from home against Oxford United.

The Opposition

Town currently sit third in League One, seven points behind Sheffield Wednesday in second who occupy the final automatic promotion spot after 27 games.

Ipswich have had plenty of success since they were formed 144 years ago in 1878. They won the first division, the equivalent of the Premier League, in 1962. The Tractor Boys are two time Second Division, now Championship, winners. In addition, Tuesday night's opponents have an FA Cup title to their name having won the competition in 1978 when a Rodger Osborne goal secured a 1-0 win over Arsenal in the final.

Manager Kieran McKenna, 36, is currently in his first senior management job having spent time in charge of Tottenham and Manchester United’s U18s before moving to Portman Road in December 2021.

Key Players

Striker Conor Chaplin has been key to Town’s success so far this season. The centre forward has netted 13 goals to-date and has chipped in with three assists. The 25-year-old is an experienced front man in the EFL having spent five years at Portsmouth where he was promoted to the senior team in 2014. Since moving to Suffolk in 2021 from Barnsley, Chaplin has scored 19 goals in 65 appearances.

Freddie Ladapo has vast experience throughout his career so far having played for 13 clubs in the last ten years. However, the striker seems to have settled at Ipswich and is second to Chaplin in Town’s goalscoring chart. The 29-year-old has scored nine goals this season and has two assists. Ladapo helped secure The Tractor Boys' place in the FA Cup fourth round with his most recent goal coming in Town’s 4-1 win over Rotherham in the third round.

Welshman Wes Burns has made an impact from out wide for Ipswich this season with six goals and five assists. The versatile 28-year-old is able to play as a winger, wing back and a full back when needed. He spent four years in Lancashire with Fleetwood Town before moving to Portman Road in 2021.

Kieran McKenna’s Thoughts

Speaking on the official Ipswich Town YouTube channel, manager Kieran McKenna said he’s expecting a challenging game on Tuesday night.

“They’ve put in some good performances and got some good results,” he said.

“It’s strange they haven’t played for two and a half weeks but our focus is just on ourselves.

“We know it’s very rare you’re going to get an easy game in this league, every game is going to be a challenge and we have to be ready for that.”

Team News

Jake Taylor, Max Melbourne and Courtney Duffus will all be unavailable on Tuesday as they continue their recoveries from injury.

While Kieran Phillips' loan spell from Huddersfield Town was cut short due to injury, new signings Dynel Simeu, Daniel Crowley and Michael Mellon could feature.

Meet The Officials

David Rock will take charge on Tuesday night with Paul Kelly and Paul Yates alongside him as assistants; fourth official Damith Bandara completes the line up.

Rock has taken charge of 17 games this season, seven in League One, four in League Two, and two in Papa Johns Trophy, FA Cup and Carabao Cup respectively.

The official last took charge of a Shrimps game in April 2021, a 2-1 defeat against Cambridge United in League Two.

Listen Live

Supporters who aren't making the journey to Portman Road can enjoy full coverage of the game from home with an iFollow Shrimps Video Match Pass. Click here for more information!

Match Reports

Report | Ipswich Town 4 Morecambe 0

24 January 2023

Four first-half Ipswich Town goals proved the difference between The Tractor Boys and the Shrimps on Tuesday night at Portman Road.

Two goals apiece from Freddie Ladapo and Conor Chaplin gave the hosts all-three-points as the Shrimps' unbeaten run came to an end.

Town opened the scoring in the first minute after winning a corner on the right-hand side; former Shrimps man Leif Davis swung in the ball which landed at the feet of Ladapo who stroked the ball home from close range.

Morecambe looked to hit back quickly when Caleb Watts was presented with an opening at the far post, though his shot was superbly blocked by the sprawling George Edmondson.

Goalkeeper Connor Ripley was called into action and managed to produce a smart save from Nathan Broadhead's powerful strike before Lee Evans struck the post from 20 yards out.

Moments later and Town's advantage was doubled by Ladapo. After winning the ball in midfield, the blues surged forward and Broadhead found Ladapo whose effort nestled in the back of the net after connecting with both posts.

Chaplin positioned himself in the right place to connect with Wes Burns' cross on 38 minutes to make it 3-0 before bagging his second, Ipswich's fourth, with the last kick of the first half.

Half-time: Ipswich Town 4 Morecambe 0

After the break, manager Derek Adams handed January arrivals Michael Mellon, Dynel Simeu and Dan Crowley their Shrimps debuts and all played their part as they kept Ipswich at bay in a second-half stalemate.

Morecambe came close to pulling one back on 58 minutes when Cole Stockton did well to meet a cross before looking to glance an effort on goal, though the ball sailed narrowly wide of the left-hand post.

Full-time: Ipswich Town 4 Morecambe 0

Ipswich Town: Walton, Keogh, Edmondson, Clarke, Davis, Burns (Jackson, 45'), Evans, Morsy (Humphreys, 63'), Chaplin (Harness, 74'), Broadhead (Edwards, 63'), Ladapo (Hirst, 63').

Subs not used: Hladky, Donacien.

Goals: Ladapo (02', 16'), Chaplin (38', 45+6').

Bookings: Chaplin

Red cards: None.

Morecambe: Ripley, Rawson, Delaney (Simeu, 45'), Bedeau, Cooney (Love, 45'), Gibson, Shaw, Weir, Mayor (Crowley, 45'), Stockton (Hunter, 83'), Watts (Mellon, 45').

Subs not used: Smith, Gnahoua.

Goals: None.

Bookings: Crowley, Bedeau.

Red cards: None.

Ticket News

Ticket Details | Ipswich Town (A)

10 January 2023

Tickets for Morecambe's midweek trip to Ipswich Town are now on sale.

Prices for the league fixture, which kicks off at 7:45pm at Portsman Road, are listed below.

Please note, there will no pay on the day available for this fixture, and tickets must be purchased in advance of the deadline on Sunday 22 January at 11:59pm.

	In Advance
Adult	£27
Senior (65+)	£20
U23	£14
U19	£7
Carer	FREE

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

Disabled/Ambulant Supporters

We have four wheelchair bays and carer’s tickets available for this fixture. Wheelchair users and ambulant supporters will be expected to pay a discounted admission price for the relevant concessionary ticket and will receive a complimentary carer with their purchase. These tickets are not available online, they must be purchased instore or over the phone.

Additional Information
Advance Sales deadline: Sunday 22 January, 11:59pm.
Refund deadline: Sunday 22 January, 11:59pm.

There will be no ticket sales on the day to travelling supporters. All tickets must be purchased in advance of the above deadline from Morecambe FC direct.

Match Day Parking (Minibuses & Coaches)
Away coaches will be required to park in the West End Road car park (post code IP1 2DZ), 5-10 minutes’ walk from the ground. It is possible to arrange a drop-off nearer to the stadium – please contact Ipswich Town's Disability Liaison Officer, Lee Smith, on 01473 400556 in advance of the game to arrange this.

Match Day Parking (Cars)
There is no official stadium car park, but there is parking all around the ground. The closest is a large car park on Portman Road (right by the away end, post code IP1 2BP), though this can be full by 1.45pm or even earlier, on a Saturday matchday and 6:30pm or earlier for a midweek game. There are also large car parks on West End Road (5 minutes’ walk away, post code IP1 2DZ) and at the railway station (less than 10 minutes, postcode IP2 8AL).

Stadium
Portman Road is now a cashless stadium with the exception of the club shop, Planet Blue, and the programme kiosks where cash payments are still accepted.

For up-to-date information or to ask any questions, contact Anya Wood, Shrimps’ SLO.
Twitter: @Shrimps_SLO
Email: SLO@morecambefc.com

For online sales please click below.
For phone sales please call 01524 411797 (option 3)
Call into the club shop, open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm