Match preview: Morecambe v Cambridge United

23 September 2022

The Shrimps are back in league action at the Mazuma Stadium on Saturday 24 September as they host Cambridge United.

Morecambe will look to secure back to back wins at the Mazuma Stadium following a penalty shoot-out victory against Hartlepool United in the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday night. The game ended goalless before Donald Love scored the winning penalty after some impressive saves from Shrimps goalkeeper Adam Smith.

Cambridge were also in EFL Trophy action on Tuesday night, the U's faced League Two side Northampton Town at Sixfields, winning by two goals to nil.

The opposition

Mark Bonner's men sit ninth in Sky Bet League One with four wins, four defeats and one draw after nine games.

After returning to the Football League in 2014, United have enjoyed some memorable FA Cup ties in recent years, including a 0-0 Fourth Round draw at home to Manchester United in 2015 as well as a 1-0 Third Round win away to Newcastle United last season.

When both sides met last campaign, the Cambridgeshire side took a maximum six points from both encounters. The home fixture ended 2-0 whilst the reverse meeting ended 2-1, despite a world class equalising volley from Cole Stockton.

Key players

Striker Joe Ironside has been in good form up front for Cambridge this season. The 28-year-old has scored three goals and has one assist in eleven appearances, proving his worth in the attacking third. Ironside’s most recent goals came in a 2-0 win over Lincoln City at the start of September where he netted a brace.

26-year-old Fejiri Okenabirhie was heavily influential in the Yellow’s win over Northampton in midweek, scoring two well-taken second half goals against the Cobblers. The Englishman established himself in the EFL during previous spells with Shrewsbury Town and Doncaster Rovers before making the move to Cambridgeshire in the summer.

Centre-forward Sam Smith leads United's goalscoring tally so far with four goals, including a hat-trick in a 4-3 win over Burton Albion. The 24-year-old spent his youth career between Manchester United and Reading, before senior spells with Shrewsbury Town, Tranmere Rovers, Cheltenham Town and Oxford United. His 192 professional appearances span across the Championship, League's One and Two, as well as nine appearances each in the FA and Carabao Cups.

Derek Adam’s pre-match thoughts

Speaking ahead of the match, manager Derek Adams says the Shrimps are keen to get their first league win at home following last weekend's victory over Forest Green Rovers.

“We’ve won two away from home this season in the League Cup and in the league against Forest Green,” he said.

“To get a home victory would be nice and we’re probably due it with the performances we’ve had.

“We have been unfortunate not to get all three points at home so far.”

Meet the officials

Robert Madden will be the man with the whistle on Saturday and will be assisted by Darren Williams and Steven Rushton. Samuel Barrott completes the officiating line-up as fourth official.

Madden is an experienced referee and was a FIFA official from 2010-2022 before moving from his native Scotland to officiate in the EFL.

The 43-year-old has officiated at international level as well as in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

iFollow

After teaming up with Beyond Radio for the 2022/23 season, supporters will be able to listen to exclusive, full and uninterrupted radio commentary of every single game, home and away, which will be broadcast simultaneously on 103.5FM, 107.5FM and DAB+ digital radio across North Lancashire and South Cumbria as well as on the iFollow Shrimps platform.

Lead commentator Dave Salmon will be joined by Tom Collins, video passes for this fixture are available for £10.

As well as full match commentary, the ‘Shrimps Verdict’ podcast will be available post-match, featuring online, on demand content, including audio match highlights, post-match interviews and reaction, and much more!

Match Reports

Report: Shrimps 1-2 Cambridge United

24 September 2022

Morecambe 1-2 Cambridge United
Sky Bet League One
The Mazuma Stadium
Saturday 24 September 2022
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Attendance: 3,917 (307 away)

After taking the lead on 12 minutes through Jensen Weir, Jack Lankester equalised 20 minutes later before the U's completed their comeback three minutes from time through Harvey Knibbs.

Kieran Phillips enjoyed a lively start and found himself in space to run in to down the right, but his cross was comfortably collected by Dimitar Mitov in the visitors’ goal.

Cambridge grew into the game and carved out a flurry of corners, four to be exact, with Ripley catching the latter, before launching a deadly Morecambe counterattack.

Former United man Weir found himself with the ball at his feet and charging down on goal before unleashing a powerful strike inside the near post to fire the Shrimps ahead on 12 minutes.

Mark Bonner’s men looked to respond, with two big chances inside a minute, when a Paul Digby cross found Sam Smith in the box on 20 minutes, but his tame effort was held by Ripley.

Seconds later and it was Smith again who fired a stronger effort at goal from close range, but Ripley did well once more.

The U’s perseverance paid off on 32 minutes when the ball fell to Lankester inside the Morecambe box, who calmly slotted into the bottom right corner to equalise.

From there, both sides were able to threaten, with Cole Stockton forcing Mitov into a save whereas, three minutes before the break, George Williams rose highest to meet a corner at the back post, but his effort lacked direction and went wide.

Half-time: Morecambe 1-1 Cambridge United.

Four minutes into the second half and it was nearly the perfect start for Morecambe as Phillips picked up possession to the right of the visitors’ box, but he could only drag his effort wide.

The Shrimps came close again on 52 minutes when Donald Love managed to pick out Phillips with an excellent cross from the right, but his header went wide.

Cambridge’s first chance of the second half came via George Williams two minutes later, but Ripley did well to deny his low, powerful strike.

The visitors came close shortly after as Smith did well to lob the ball over Ripley and pick up possession once more, but after doing all the hard work, his resulting shot nestled the side-netting.

As the game became more open, with both side’s testing each other’s defensive resolve, it was Adam May’s turn to try his luck, but a deflection took the sting out of his strike as the ball sailed behind for a corner, which came to nothing.

Nine minutes from time and Liam Gibson came close with his driven effort from the edge of the penalty area, but the ball sailed narrowly over.

Despite a number of strong Morecambe chances, it was the visitors who managed to find the target three minutes from time as substitution Harvey Knibbs slammed home from close range.

Full-time: Morecambe 1-2 Cambridge United.

Morecambe: Ripley, Love (C), Gibson, Rawson, Delaney, Taylor (Fane, 73’), Stockton (Gnahoua, 73’), Weir, Bedeau (Connolly, 73’), Shaw (O’Connor, 85’), Phillips (Obika, 82’).

Subs not used: Smith, Cooney

Goals: Weir 12’.

Bookings: Weir 37’.

Red cards: None.

Cambridge United: Mitov, Williams, Digby, Jones, Brophy (Tracey, 66’), Ironside(Okenabirhie, 86’), Smith, Dunk, Lankester (Knibbs, 74’) Ibsen Rossi, May.

Subs not used: Mannion, Taylor, O’Neil, Okedina

Goals: Lankester 32’, Knibbs 87’.

Bookings: None.

Red cards: None.

Ticket News

Cambridge United (H) ticket details

12 September 2022

Ticket details for our Sky Bet League One game against Cambridge United at the Mazuma Stadium on Saturday 24 September 2022, 3pm KO have been confirmed.

Prices and on-sale dates for the encounter can be found below...

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	Over the phone and in-store from	On sale to
Monday 12 September, 3pm	Monday 12 September, 3pm	General Sale. Tickets available in SM Cars seated stand, Bartercard covered terrace and MGS uncovered terrace.

Additional Information

Sales deadline: Saturday 24 September, 3pm.
Refund deadline: Friday 24 September, 5pm

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.