Shrimps head south for Wimbledon clash

16 February 2024

A trip to the capital awaits as we make the journey to south-west London to face AFC Wimbledon.

Morecambe will be hoping to make it four wins in four as they visit the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Saturday 17 February to face AFC Wimbledon in a Sky Bet League Two clash.

The Shrimps have been in good form recently, especially away from home, and they will no doubt be hoping to keep this up when they make the journey to SW11. On Tuesday night, Ged Brannan’s side visited Prenton Park for their fixture against Tranmere Rovers. The hosts came flying out of the blocks and were two goals to the good after only 10 minutes, leaving Morecambe with work to do. Charlie Brown ignited the Shrimps’ comeback, the forward turning and finishing in clinical fashion to peg one back for the visitors. With eight minutes left on the clock, Jordan Slew levelled proceedings after a great team move sparked by Slew himself, his cross-field diagonal ball finding Joe Adams before a Joel Senior cross found the thigh of Slew.

The travelling Shrimps’ fans seemed elated with the comeback they had witnessed but were sent further into raptures in the 95^th minute when substitute Jacob Davenport hit his 30-yard free-kick into the top corner to score his first goal for the club – the cherry on the top of a memorable comeback.

Morecambe vs Tranmere 13th February-095.jpg

The Wombles were not far away in their midweek fixture, the Merton outfit making the journey north to visit Accrington Stanley. Two second-half goals from the hosts meant AFC Wimbledon left the Wham Stadium empty-handed.

Saturday’s two sides last met in October 2023, when the Wombles made the trip to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium. A hat-trick from Michael Mellon and a Joe Lewis own goal helped the Shrimps to a 4-1 victory, Armani Little’s 72^nd minute goal proving nothing more than a consolation.

The Opposition

AFC Wimbledon’s League Two campaign has not been dissimilar to Morecambe’s, the Wombles finding themselves with 12 wins and 10 draws, equalling the 46 points that the Shrimps have to their name. This total leaves Johnnie Jackson’s side in 10^th position, one place above Morecambe as a result of their goal difference.

Jackson has been at the helm at the Cherry Red Records Stadium since May 2022, following the club’s relegation from Sky Bet League One. The 41-year-old had retired from playing in 2018, following an eight-year spell at Charlton Athletic.

Key Players

Right winger James Tilley leads the scoring charts for the Wombles, with 12 goals in his 37 appearances in all competitions. Tilley made the move to the Cherry Red Records Stadium in the summer, after spending time at Crawley Town.

Centre-forward Omar Bugiel has also been an important part of AFC Wimbledon’s campaign so far, the 30-year-old scoring seven and assisting three in his 35 appearances.

Ged Brannan’s Pre-Match Thoughts

Morecambe manager Ged Brannan spoke on the confidence within the camp at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium ahead of Saturday's trip.

"It doesn't matter who we're playing at the minute," he said. "We're full of confidence. The lads know that if they well and work really hard they are a match for anyone in this league."

"We've shown that, but Saturday is going to be a really, really tough game. We're going to be have to be on the top of our game to get the three points."

"They've got great home form, but we've got good away form, so it will be a good game."

The Man in the Middle

Neil Hair will take charge at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, officiating his 21^st game of the season. In his previous 20, Hair has brandished a total of 75 cards, constituting of 71 yellows and a further four reds.

Three of those yellows came in October, when the Shrimps made the trip to the capital to face Sutton United. A late Joel Senior strike secured a 3-2 victory for Morecambe, contributing to scenes in the away end not unlike those at Prenton Park on Tuesday night.

Shaun Farrer and Alan Cresswell will run the line on Saturday afternoon, with Leigh Crowhurst acting as fourth official.

Team News

Stu Moore, Donald Love, JJ McKiernan and Brandon Barker are the long-term absentees for the Shrimps, with no other injury problems reported in the squad.

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Match Reports

Stokes' equaliser secures Shrimps a point

17 February 2024

Chris Stokes’ second half equaliser saw the spoils shared between AFC Wimbledon and Ged Brannan's men.

Johnnie Jackson’s men opened the scoring inside the first five minutes of the second half courtesy of Omar Bugiel, but Stokes responded on 74 minutes to deny the hosts a victory.

The Wombles were presented the first half-chance inside the opening six minutes. James Tilley’s corner was met by Joel Senior’s whose header landed at Jack Currie on the edge of the box, though he could only slice his volley wide.

A few minutes later, Josh Kelly controlled a long ball well inside the box, his cross found Tilley at the back post whose header was comfortably held by Archie Mair.

An opportunity for the Shrimps came on 16 minutes after Jake Taylor threated an inch perfect pass into the path of Ged Garner, though Alex Bass was quick off his line and smothered the ball.

A chance for either side came in the space of a minute with ten to play in the second half. First, Armani Little set himself up by chesting the ball before striking a half-volley which flew narrowly wide.

At the other end, David Tutonda met Senior’s cross across the Wimbledon box at the back post, but he couldn’t keep the strike down. A let off for the hosts.

Half-time: AFC Wimbledon 0 Morecambe 0

Within the opening five minutes of the second half, the home side found themselves ahead. Ronan Curtis’ cross from the left looked to flicked on to Bugiel who side-footed home from eight yards.

Ten minutes later, Bugiel looked to net his, and Wimbledon’s, second of the afternoon, but after meeting Kofi Balmer’s long throw with an overhead kick inside the box, the ball flew wide.

It was Bugiel again who came closest to scoring the second on 72 minutes, but the sting was taken out of his strike following a vital Jacob Bedeau block and ended up in Mair’s arms.

After not taking their chances, the Shrimps levelled proceedings two minutes later. Gwion Edwards’ corner wasn’t dealt with, the second cross came in from Yann Songo'o on the right and Stokes’ converted with a deft first touch.

Playing with momentum, it was nearly a second goal for Ged Brannan’s men moments later after Senior’s cross found Brown in the mix, but he couldn’t divert the ball on target.

Edwards came close to taking the lead for Morecambe after evading defensive pressure and striking on goal inside the final 10 minutes, but the shot was deflected and ultimately saved by Bass low down to his right.

Deep into added time, Edwards met a corner into the box at the near post but couldn’t turn the ball toward goal.

Full-time: AFC Wimbledon 1 Morecambe 1

AFC Wimbledon: Bass, Brown (McLean, 88’), Balmer, Tilley, Kelly (Davison, 76’), Little ©, Ball (O’Toole, 88’), Bugiel (Pell, 88’), Curtis (Gordon, 76’), Currie, Ogundere.

Subs not used: Tzanev, Pearce.

Goals: Bugiel (50’).

Bookings: Tilley.

Red cards: None.

Morecambe: Mair, Tutonda, Bedeau ©, Songo’o, Garner (Slew, 43’), Larsson (Edwards, 56’), Senior, Stokes, Taylor (Davenport, 56’), Brown (Rawson, 83’), Khumbeni (Melbourne, 84’).

Subs not used: A Smith, Harrack.

Goals: Stokes (74’).

Bookings: Khumbeni, Taylor, Tutonda, Davenport, Melbourne.

Red cards: None.

Attendance: 7,715 (212 away).

Ticket News

Join us at the Cherry Red Records Stadium later this month

2 February 2024

We travel to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday 17 February - get your tickets now!

Ticket Prices

	Advance Ticket Price	Matchday Price
Adult	£25	£27
Over 65+ / Full Time Student	£17	£19
Under 17	£7	£7

Those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult over the age of 18. ID checks will be carried out, and anybody who has purchased an age-related ticket will be asked for proof when entering the ground. Failure to do so will result in the full adult price being charged.

Tickets can be ordered online by clicking here. Supporters can also buy in-store or over the phone by calling 01524 411797 and selecting option three.

The deadline for sales and refund requests is Friday 16 February at 12pm. If you don't receive your ticket through the post in time, you must contact tickets@morecambefc.com or call the Club Shop before this deadline.

Four wheelchair bays are available for the fixture; if you wish to book, please visit us in-store where you'll receive a complimentary carer ticket after paying the relevant admission price. Furthermore, AFC Wimbledon have six blue badge spaces available. Email dlo@afcwimbledon.ltd.uk to order.