Match Preview | Bolton Wanderers (H)

2 March 2023

The Shrimps welcome Bolton Wanderers to the Mazuma Stadium on Saturday 4 March as they go in search for their second consecutive home win.

Last time out, Morecambe were beaten 1-0 by Fleetwood away from home, though in their most recent home game, Derek Adams’ side overcame Port Vale by a goal to nil thanks to Adam Mayor’s second half strike.

Saturday's opponents were last in action on Tuesday night where they fell to a 3-1 defeat by Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

The Opposition

Wanderers currently sit fourth in League One with 18 wins, eight draws and nine defeats in 35 games.

Bolton were promoted to the third tier in 2021, the same year as the Shrimps, and secured automatic promotion after beating Crawley 4-1 on the final day of the season. The Trotters have had plenty of success across the football pyramid, including three Championship titles. The Horwich-based side are also four-time FA Cup winners and two-time Carabao Cup winners.

Ian Evatt is in charge at the University of Bolton Stadium and, before moving to management, played as a centre back for Derby County, QPR, Blackpool and Chesterfield. Evatt began his managerial career in caretaker charge of Chesterfield before joining Barrow full-time in 2018. The 41-year-old guided The Bluebirds back to the EFL in 2020 before joining Wanderers that summer.

Key Players

Striker Dion Charles is the Trotters’ leading scorer this season with 16 goals. Charles scored the opener in Bolton’s 3-1 defeat on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old scored 27 goals in 81 appearances for Accrington Stanley before joining Bolton in January 2022. So far, Charles has scored 22 goals for the Whites in 51 appearances.

Full-back Gethin Jones tops the Wanderers assist chart with five so far this season. The Australian has had loan and permanent spells with Plymouth Argyle, Barnsley, Fleetwood Town and Carlisle United so far in his career. Jones has also represented Wales 21 times across U17, U19 and U21 level.

Wideman Connor Bradley has been getting in amongst the goals and assists for Bolton this season, scoring five goals and assisting four so far this campaign. The 19-year-old has impressed at the University of Bolton Stadium and is currently on loan from Liverpool.

Derek Adams’ Thoughts

Morecambe boss Derek Adams is looking forward to his side playing in front of a noisy crowd at the Mazuma on Saturday.

“The atmosphere will be very good,” he said.

“It will be electric. We’ve had a lot of big fixtures at home already this season at home and the players have responded to that and I’m sure they’re all looking forward to half past twelve on Saturday."

Team News

Cole Stockton comes back into the manager's thinking after missing our away trip to Fleetwood Town through injury.

Michael Mellon will not be available however after picking up an injury at Highbury.

Meet The Officials

Oliver Langford will referee the fixture and will be assisted by Mark Dwyer, Andrew Aylott and fourth official Benjamin Speedie.

Langford has taken charge of 22 games this season with 16 in the Championship, three in League One, two in League Two and one in the FA Cup.

The official last refereed Morecambe in a League Two fixture against Wanderers in February 2021, a 1-1 draw away from home.

Watch Live!

iFollow Shrimps' video match passes are available for Saturday's game for just £10.

Click here for more information!

Match Reports

Report | Morecambe 0 Bolton Wanderers 0

4 March 2023

Morecambe made it two games without defeat at the Mazuma Stadium after a 0-0 draw with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.

The Shrimps created plenty of opportunities but were unable to find the net and secure the three points.

Morecambe goalkeeper Connor Ripley made an excellent early save to deny Shola Shoretire at his near post in the sixth minute.

The Shrimps came close taking the lead six minutes later when Ash Hunter whipped in an excellent cross from the right which was headed just over by Farrend Rawson.

Derek Adams’ side came close again when a deep free kick was knocked down by Rawson to Cole Stockton who saw his effort on the half volley go just wide.

Morecambe came close again as Hunter picked out Liam Shaw from the right, but the midfielder wasn't able to find the target with his header.

Ripley made another excellent save low to his right just before the break to deny Dion Charles from outside the area.

Half-time: Morecambe 0 Bolton Wanderers 0

The visitors started the second half well, with Shoretire attempting to break the deadlock on 52 minutes with a first-time strike, though Liam Gibson did well to deflect the shot behind for a corner.

Bolton goalkeeper James Trafford was called into action by Jensen Weir 20 minutes into the second half when he parried away Weir’s powerful drive from the edge of the area.

Wanderers substitute Dan N’Lundulu worked himself into a shooting position inside a congested penalty area 15 minutes from time, but saw his shot saved at the near post by Ripley.

Both teams had chances in the closing stages, with each goalkeeper and defences forced into action, but there was no breakthrough as the game ended goalless.

Full-time: Morecambe 0 Bolton Wanderers 0

Morecambe: Ripley, Love, Melbourne, Gibson, Rawson (Simeu, 78’), Crowley (Mayor, 85’), Stockton, Hunter (Gnahoua, 85’), Weir (Watts, 89’), Bedeau, Shaw.

Subs not used: Smith, Cooney, Austerfield.

Goals: None.

Bookings: Shaw.

Red cards: None.

Bolton Wanderers: Trafford, John (Williams, 81’), Santos, Sheehan (N’Lundulu, 73’), Charles, Morley, Shoretire (Kachunga, 64’), Toal, Bradley, Dempsey, Mbete-Tabu.

Subs not used: Dixon, Jones, Lee, Thomson.

Goals: None.

Bookings: None.

Red cards: None.

Attendance: 5,211 (1,626 away).

Ticket News

Ticket Details | Bolton Wanderers (H)

17 February 2023

Tickets are now on sale for our Sky Bet League One home game against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday 4 March 2023, 12:30pm KO.

This fixture has been designated ‘all-ticket’.

No tickets will be available to purchase on the day of the game.

Any supporters wishing to purchase for this fixture must log into their registered MFC ticketing account to access tickets. Sales will be limited to four tickets per person.

Morecambe FC Season Ticket holders will be able to purchase up to four additional tickets per account. Any season ticket holders with four or more season tickets, must email tickets@morecambefc.com to gain your extra allowance as you will not be able to purchase these online.

For non-Season Ticket holders, only supporters with a registered account and who have attended a minimum of three home league fixtures during the 2022/23 season will be able to view and purchase match tickets. Again, eligible supporters will be able to buy up to four tickets per eligible account.

Supporters who do not meet this criterion will not be eligible to view or purchase tickets for this fixture.

All supporters over the age of 18, both home and away, will be subject to random ID checks at turnstiles. When purchasing your match day tickets, you must ensure all tickets are in the name of the supporter using it to gain entry to the fixture. If the name on the ticket being used doesn’t match the ID presented at the turnstile, entry to the stadium may be refused.

Supporters who purchase their tickets online will not receive their e-tickets for the game until a minimum of 48 hours before the fixture is due to be played. This is to assist in the prevention of unauthorised ticket resale.

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 direct.

On Sale Dates (selling order)

Online from	In-store from	On sale to
Friday 17 February, 3pm	Friday 17 February, 3pm	MFC Season Ticket Holders Only*
Monday 20 February, 12noon	Monday 20 February, 12noon	MFC Season Ticket Holders and registered users only who have purchased and attended a minimum of three home league fixtures during the 2022/23 season.

*Season ticket holders will still be able to purchase tickets after Monday 20 February, 12 noon.

Additional Information

Sales deadline: Friday 3 March, 12:00 noon (or once the fixture as sold out, whichever is earlier).
Refund deadline: Monday 27 February, 17:00.

FAQs

Tickets sold subject to the selling order as instructed above.
Tickets are sold subject to availability.

Fans will need to purchase tickets in advance of matchday.

For online sales, please go to: http://bit.ly/3cdd6IS.
Call into the Club Shop, open Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 17:00.
There will be no over the phone sales for this fixture.

For the safety and comfort of all supporters, the resale of valid match tickets is unlawful and is against Morecambe Football Club ticketing policy and EFL Ground Regulations. No person is permitted to resell or 'give away' (by any means) a valid match ticket that they have purchased without first seeking the approval of the Club. Should a ticket be found in the possession of the wrong person, without this first being authorised by the Club, then the purchasing supporter and any person who passes on the lawfully purchased ticket will face a banning order from Morecambe Football Club.

A full copy of EFL Ground Regulations can be found by clicking here.

For assistance with any issues or purchasing tickets for this fixture, please contact tickets@morecambefc.com.