Match Preview | Oxford United (H)

17 March 2023

The Shrimps return to the Mazuma Stadium for the second time in a week on Saturday 18 March when they take on Oxford United in Sky Bet League One.

Last time out, Morecambe were beaten 4-1 at home by Charlton Athletic. Donald Love’s second half strike pulled one back for Derek Adams’ side, but the visitors kept the Shrimps at bay to secure all three points.

United were last in action at the weekend and were beaten 3-2 by Derby County at the Kassam Stadium.

The Opposition

The U’s sit 19th in League One with nine wins, nine draws and 18 defeats from 36 league games.

Oxford have been a League One side since they were promoted in 2016. A year later, they reached the Papa Johns Trophy final but were beaten in the final by Coventry City. United had back-to-back play-off finishes in 2020 and 2021 respectively, but were beaten in the 2020 final by Wycombe Wanderers before losing in the 2021 semi-final to Blackpool.

Newly appointed Head Coach Liam Manning spent his career playing as a midfielder in non-league for the likes of Bishop’s Stortford, Leiston and Ipswich Wanderers. Manning began his managerial career with West Ham U23s in 2015. The 37-year-old had a year in Belgium with Lommel SK before joining MK Dons in 2021. Manning left Stadium MK in December and was named Oxford boss on Saturday.

Key Players

Midfielder Cameron Brannagan has been United’s standout man so far this season. The 26-year-old is the U's top scorer this season with ten goals and has provided one assist. Brannagan spent his early years at Liverpool. While on Merseyside, he made three appearances for the Reds and was sent out on loan to Fleetwood Town. In 2018, the midfielder made the permanent move to the Kassam and has been at Oxford ever since.

Forward Kyle Joseph has also been impressing this season with seven goals to his name; the 21-year-old is on loan at United from Swansea City. Joseph began his career at Wigan Athletic before moving to Wales in 2021. The youngster has made 10 senior appearances for the Swans and spent last season on loan at Cheltenham Town.

Attacking midfielder Marcus Browne has been creating plenty of goals for the U’s this season with four assists and has also netted one goal. Brown started out as a professional at West Ham United and was loaned to Oxford United in 2018 where he made 34 appearances and scored six times. The 25-year-old joined Middlesborough in 2019 and was loaned back to Oxfordshire in 2020 before signing permanently in 2022.

Liam Manning’s Thoughts

Speaking to the Oxford United YouTube channel, Head Coach Liam Manning admits he is expecting a difficult game at the Mazuma Stadium.

“It’ll be a tough game,” he said.

“Ultimately we want to get three points, irrespective of form or the table, the game is worth three points.

“As always when you go to Morecambe, it is a tough place to go, they’re going to be organised because they’re fighting for everything.”

Team News

Max Melbourne, Jake Taylor and Jacob Bedeau remain sideliend with injury for Saturday's fixture.

Meet The Officials

Sam Barrott will referee Saturday’s game and will be assisted by Alex Gray and Graeme Fyvie. Daniel Woodward is the fourth official.

Barrott has taken charge of 35 games this season, 15 in League One, six in League Two, four in the FA Cup and Papa Johns Trophy respectively and three in each of the Championship and Carabao Cup.

The official last refereed a Morecambe game in August, a 4-0 defeat against MK Dons at the Mazuma.

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Match Reports

Report | Morecambe 1 Oxford United 1

18 March 2023

Ash Hunter’s late second half goal earned the Shrimps a 1-1 draw with Oxford United on Saturday afternoon.

Oxford opened the scoring just before the break through Marcus Browne before Hunter’s equaliser three minutes from time meant the spoils were shared.

Morecambe started the game brightly and forced United goalkeeper Simon Eastwood into a good save when Dan Crowley tried his luck from range.

The Shrimps came close ten minutes before the break when Jensen Weir tried to bend his effort into the bottom right-hand corner, but his shot was just wide.

Five minutes before the break and the visitors tried their luck as Marcus McGuane went for glory from 25-yards, but saw the ball fly well over the crossbar.

United took the lead a minute later when Yanic Wildschut’s cross was tapped in at the back post by Browne.

Oxford came close to doubling their lead moments before the break, but Farrend Rawson was on hand to clear Cameron Brannagan’s free kick.

Half-time: Morecambe 0 Oxford United 1

Morecambe made a good start to the second half when Oumar Niasse picked on the ball on the by-line and fizzed it across the box, but it was just too heavy for debutant Pape Souaré to tap home.

The U’s came close to doubling their advantage 20 minutes from time when Marcus Browne’s low effort from the edge of the area rolled just wide.

Morecambe found the all-important equaliser three minutes from time when two second half substitutes combined as Caleb Watts fed the ball to Hunter, he cut back onto his right foot to beat Eastwood from just inside the area.

Derek Adams’ men continued to push for the winner but the scores remained level and the points were shared.

Morecambe: Ripley, Love, Gibson, Rawson, Crowley, Weir (Stockton, 52’), Bedeau (Watts, 77’), Niasse (Hunter, 77’), Shaw (Austerfield, 77’), Mayor (Souare, 52’), Simeu.

Subs not used: Smith, Delaney.

Goals: Hunter (87’).

Bookings: Mayor, Simeu, Crowley.

Red cards: None.

Oxford United: Eastwood, Long, Findlay, Moore, Brannagan, Browne, Brown, McGuane, Smyth (Bate, 90+3’), Wildschut (Joseph, 63’), O’Donkor (Murphy, 74’).

Subs not used: McGinty, Fleming, Goodrham, Anderson.

Goals: Browne (41’).

Bookings: None.

Red cards: None.

Attendance: 4,260.

Ticket News

Ticket Details | Oxford United (H)

3 March 2023

Tickets are now on sale for our Sky Bet League One home fixture against Oxford United on Saturday 18 March, 3pm 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 03 March, 18:00.	Friday 03 March, 18:00.	General Sale. Tickets available in SM Cars seated stand, Bartercard covered terrace and MGS uncovered terrace.

Additional Information

Sales deadline: Saturday 18 March, 15:00.
Refund deadline: Friday 17 March, 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.