Shrimps head south to Stadium MK

19 January 2024

Saturday 20 January sees us make the journey south to face Milton Keynes Dons in a Sky Bet League Two clash.

Morecambe will be aiming to build on a solid performance against high-flyers Mansfield Town when they make the trip to Stadium MK to face MK Dons for the second time in four weeks.

The Shrimps battled hard at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium when they faced the Stags, and a Charlie Brown goal granted them a well-earned point against a Mansfield side who will be backed by many as automatic promotion contenders.

Mansfield Gallery-22.jpg

In their weekend fixture, MK Dons travelled to Merseyside to face Tranmere Rovers. After an early Alex Gilbey goal for the visitors was cancelled out by a Kieron Morris equaliser for Tranmere, the spoils looked set to be shared, until a 96^th minute winner from Dons forward Ellis Harrison brought the three points back to Milton Keynes.

The two sides last faced each other four weekends ago, on Saturday 23 December. JJ McKiernan’s equaliser just after half-time to cancel out Max Dean’s opener for the Dons was not enough for the Shrimps, as a Joe Tomlinson strike and Max Dean’s second gave MK Dons a 3-1 victory at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium. Saturday’s hosts have had the better of the results in recent times, with the Shrimps’ last victory over MK Dons coming in March 2019.

The Opposition

Since their visit to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium in December, MK Dons have won three of their four games, lifting them into the Sky Bet League Two play-off positions. 12 wins, six draws, and seven losses earning Mike Williamson’s side 42 points and seventh position in the standings.

shutterstock_editorial_14007957bc (1).jpg

Williamson has been at the helm at Stadium MK since October of this year. He took the head coach position after a four-year spell at Gateshead FC.

Key Players

Max Dean tops the scoring charts for the Dons, his brace at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium making up a part of his 11 goals in all competitions this season. The 19-year-old joined the club from Leeds United in last year’s January transfer window.

Midfielder Alex Gilbey has been an important feature for the Dons so far this season, both netting and providing his fair share of goals. Since making the move to Stadium MK in the summer, the 29-year-old has contributed to 10 goals – five scored, five assisted.

The Man in the Middle

Marc Edwards will don black at Stadium MK on Saturday afternoon, taking charge for the 16^th time this season. In his previous 15, Edwards has brandished one red card and 69 yellows.

The referee officiated three Shrimps fixtures last season, most recently in April 2023 when Plymouth Argyle visited the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

Declan O’Shea and Alex Bradley will run the line at Stadium MK, with Jacob Miles completing the officiating team as the fourth official.

Ged Brannan’s Pre-Match Thoughts

Morecambe manager Ged Brannan spoke on the return of Assistant Manager John McMahon.

“It’s a great boost for him to come back,” he said. “He is a great bonus for the club, to come here and get around the players again.”

He went on to speak about the challenge ahead.

“I can’t wait, Mansfield on Saturday must have been delighted to get out of here with a point,” he remarked.

“Looking at the performance, I was absolutely delighted with it. We are going to take that into Saturday and we’re going there to get three points. We’re not going there to sit back and defend; we’re going to get straight at them.”

“We’re full of confidence going into Saturday. We will take a gameplan there and hopefully we can stop them from playing.”

Team News

Goalkeeper Stu Moore, defender Donald Love, and midfielder JJ McKiernan remain sidelined with their respective injuries.

Listen Live!

Full match commentary of Saturday’s clash against MK Dons will be available with an iFollow Shrimps audio match pass for just £2.50.

Click the banner below for more information.

Match Reports

Shrimps secure victory at Stadium MK

20 January 2024

An injury time winner from Charlie Brown saw the Shrimps secure victory over MK Dons.

Max Dean opened the scoring in the second minute before Slew levelled proceedings; Brown completed the comeback in the 92nd minute.

The home side hit the ground running as Tomlinson’s cross into the box wasn’t dealt with, Dean reacted quickest to the loose ball and curled home an effort from just inside the box.

Looking for a speedy response, Ged Garner found himself in possession down the right-hand side, his delivery aiming for Adam Mayor was just about cut out by a defender.

Archie Mair was called into action midway through the first 45 and made a vital save, one-on-one, at point-blank range to deny Dean his, and MK’s, second of the afternoon.

It was nearly an equaliser on 29 minutes as Mayor’s corner was flicked on in the mix by Chris Stokes, the header looked to be goal-bound but for the defender’s intervention who managed to divert the ball behind.

With one minute of normal time remaining, a big chance went begging for the hosts as a cross was floated into the Morecambe box, a white shirt connected but failed to find the target.

Half-time: MK Dons 1 Morecambe 0

A quick start to the second half saw Ged Brannan’s men net an early equaliser. The corner came in, Bedeau beat the goalkeeper to the ball, his header looped up and into the back of the net.

From there, the Shrimps piled on the pressure and carved out a number of dangerous openings, with MK just about keeping the reds at bay.

At the other end, Dan Kemp was presented with a golden opportunity from around 15-yards out, though he failed to keep his first-time strike down as the ball sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Moments later, with the game opening up, a cross was sent deep where Yann Songo’o met it, but his resulting volley was fired well over.

Going in search for a late winner, the Dons looked to catch Morecambe on the counter. After breaking forward in numbers, the ball was pulled back to Dean, his first-time strike inside the box was blocked by Stokes before being cleared.

In the second minute of seven added on, substitute Brown won it for the Shrimps. After winning back possession, a lung-busting run forward produced an angle for the shot which was rocketed into the back of Filip Marschall’s net.

Full-time: MK Dons 1 Morecambe 2

MK Dons: Marschall, O’Hora, Williams, Gilbey © (Harrison, 76’), Payne, Tomlinson, Robson (Bate, 75’), Dean, Harvie (Lewington, 83’), Kemp, Lofthouse (Leko, 83’).

Subs not used: Kelly, Norman, Smith.

Goals: Dean (02’).

Bookings: Dean, Tomlinson.

Red cards: None.

Morecambe: Mair, Bedeau, Rawson ©, Songo’o, Adams (Edwards, 70’), Garner (Brown, 70’), Mayor, Senior (Harrack, 76’), Slew (Barker, 64’), Stokes, Taylor.

Subs not used: A Smith, Tutonda, Threlkeld.

Goals: Bedeau (51’), Brown (90+2’).

Bookings: Bedeau, Stokes.

Red cards: None.

Attendance: 6,099 (193 away).

Ticket News

Book your place and back the boys at Stadium MK!

5 January 2024

Tickets are now on sale for our trip to MK Dons on Saturday 20 January.

	In Advance	On the Day
Adult	£24.00	£26.00
Senior 65+	£18.00	£20.00
Under 25	£12.00	£14.00
Under 21	£6.00	£8.00
Under 14	£3.00	£5.00

Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here - alternatively, supporters can buy in-store or over the phone on 01524 411797 (option 3).

The deadline for advanced sales as well as refunds is 12pm on Friday 19 January. Duplicate tickets must also be requested by this deadline by visiting or calling the Club Shop.

Tickets will be available on the day (subject to availability) which includes a slight price increase. Those needing to collect from Stadium MK must do so at the away ticket office which is situated at gate three.

MK Dons have advised they have six available wheelchair bays for this fixture. Those wishing to purchase one must pay the relevant admission fee as standard before receiving a complimentary carer's ticket. Please visit us in-store to purchase.

Supporters are advised Stadium MK is a cashless stadium, it does not have the capacity to accept cash.

Show your support once more as the Shrimps take on the Dons on the road!