Shrimps set to host Red Dragons

8 March 2024

We look to make it three wins in three as we face Wrexham AFC on Saturday 9 March at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

Morecambe will be hoping to continue their good form on Saturday afternoon when they play host to Wrexham AFC for the Shrimps’ second home fixture of the week. A win on Saturday would make it three wins in three for Ged Brannan’s side and round off a successful week in the Shrimps’ play-off push.

On Tuesday night, Crawley Town were the visitors at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium, making the long trip up from Sussex to play out the rearranged fixture. The Shrimps’ super substitute Jordan Slew’s strike in the 68^th minute proved enough to claim all three points, and secured Morecambe’s 15^th win of the season.

Morecambe vs Crawley 6th March-31.jpg

Wrexham did not play midweek, with the Welsh outfit’s last game coming on Saturday 2 March when they hosted Accrington Stanley at the STōK Cae Ras. A first half hat-trick from ex-Shrimp Paul Mullin and an Elliot Lee goal in the 41^st minute secured a 4-0 win for the home side, all four goals coming before the break.

Saturday’s two sides last met in November, when Morecambe made the trip across the border to North Wales. This was an afternoon to forget for the Shrimps’ fans, another Paul Mullin hat-trick making up half of the hosts goals on the day.

The Opposition

The Red Dragons have had a strong League Two campaign thus far, in their first season in the Football League after gaining promotion from the National League as record-breaking champions. 18 wins and nine draws leave Phil Parkinson’s side on 63 points, three points behind league leaders Mansfield Town.

Parkinson has been at the helm at Wrexham since the summer of 2021, and is highly regarded by the Wrexham supporters following the side’s performances since his appointment.

Key Players

Aforementioned attacker Paul Mullin leads the goalscoring charts for the Red Dragons, the centre-forward bagging 16 goals in his 32 appearances so far this season, averaging a goal every 154 minutes.

Midfielder Elliot Lee has also played an important part in the side’s campaign, with 15 goals scored in his 42 appearances for the club. Lee joined the club in the summer of 2022 and - along with Mullin – signed a contract extension with the club until 2027 during the January transfer window.

Ged Brannan’s Pre-Match Thoughts

Morecambe manager Ged Brannan spoke ahead of the Shrimps' upcoming challenge.

"It was a great performance on Tuesday night, the lads left nothing on the pitch," he said. "We'll go into Saturday's game full of confidence and hopefully get the three points."

"It's one of those games that when you're a footballer, you love to play in games like this. The atmosphere will be fantastic, it will be really loud and they will bring quite a few. Hopefully we can go on to win the game!"

The Man in the Middle

Thomas Parsons will take charge at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium on Saturday afternoon, the official refereeing his 20^th game of the season. In his previous 19, Parsons has dished out 96 cards.

Saturday will not be the first time the official has refereed a fixture involving the Shrimps this season, with Parsons overseeing affairs when Morecambe made the trip to Rotherham in the Carabao Cup in August.

Ivan Stankovic and Johnathon Bickerdike will run the line at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium, with fourth official David Richardson completing the officiating team.

Team News

Long-term absentees JJ McKiernan, Donald Love, Stu Moore and Brandon Barker remain sidelined for the Shrimps.

Listen Live

Those who are not able to make it to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium on Saturday will be able to listen from home with an iFollow Shrimps audio match pass.

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Match Reports

Shrimps defeated by Red Dragons

9 March 2024

Ged Garner's opener for Morecambe was cancelled out by a 32nd minute James McClean strike, before goals from Paul Mullin and Steven Fletcher secured all three points for the visitors.

The Shrimps got off to the perfect start, as Ged Garner opened the scoring in the fourth minute, slotting the ball into the back of the net following a Wrexham error at the back.

Morecambe continued to apply the pressure in the opening 20 minutes, as Max Melbourne took aim from the left of goal, but it was deflected out.

Ged Brannan’s men came close again in the 27th minute, as Joel Senior’s dangerous free kick flew through a crowd of bodies and went wide of goal.

The visitors were able to equalise on the counter attack in the 32nd minute, as James McClean found space in the box to fire his shot into the back of the net.

In the 36th minute Wrexham came close again, but a fantastic double save from Archie Mair denied them their second.

Just two minutes before half time, Paul Mullin received the ball and looked to lift it over Mair, but his effort went wide of goal.

It was a strong start from the home side, but the two sides went in at the break level with a goal a piece.

Half-time: Morecambe 1 Wrexham AFC 1

Early in the second half, the Shrimps went down to 10 men after Melbourne was shown a second yellow.

On the 55 minute mark, Mullin made it two for the visitors as he converted from the spot.

Wrexham continued to apply the pressure and in the 65th minute an important block from Mair denied them their third.

Morecambe were able to find an opening in the 68th minute, but Hiwula’s strike went over the bar.

The home side came close again minutes after, as Senior hit his free kick short to Tutonda, who then crossed it into the box and found the head of Bedeau. His effort was on target and forced Okonkwo into a save at full stretch, in order to deny the Shrimps an equaliser.

With 10 minutes left to play, Fletcher made it 3 for Wrexham with a looping header off the back of a corner.

Full-time: Morecambe 1 Wrexham AFC 3

Morecambe: Mair, Bedeau (C), Songo’o (Davenport, 60’) , Adams (Tutonda, 52’), Garner (Hiwula, 60’), Senior, Slew, Stokes, Edwards (Brown, 80’), Melbourne, Khumbeni.

Subs not used: Smith, Larsson, Harrack.

Goals: Garner (04’).

Bookings: Melbourne, Songo’o, Edwards.

Red cards: Melbourne.

Wrexham AFC: Okonkwo, Palmer (Fletcher, 76’), Mullin (Marriott, 88’), O’Connell, Mendy, Cannon, McClean (C) (Young, 88’), Boyle, Barnett, Cleworth, Lee.

Subs not used: Howard, Tozer, Davies, Bolton.

Goals: McClean (32’), Mullin (55’).

Bookings: Barnett.

Red cards: None.

Attendance: 5,166.

Ticket News

Wrexham AFC (H) tickets now on sale

26 February 2024

Wrexham visit the Mazuma Mobile Stadium on Saturday 9 March and tickets are now on sale.

Ticket Prices

	Standing	Seating
Adult	£20	£25
Concession	£15	£20
Young Adult 18-22	£10	£15
Junior 14-17	£5	£7
Child 2-13*	£3	£5

*All children between the ages of two and 13 must be accompanied by a responsible adult over 18. Morecambe FC do not permit children under the age of two, or prams/pushchairs, into the stadium bowl.

Tickets can be purchased online or in-store via the MFC Club Shop. There will be no telephone sales for this fixture.

Purchase Criteria

Season ticket holders will be able to purchase up to an additional three tickets per season ticket holder (in person and online). Supporters who have attended three or more games will be able to purchase a maximum of three tickets in person and online.

Supporters looking to buy must have an LA postcode, meaning those wishing to pre-purchase from the Club Shop must bring photo ID and proof of address. This will be restricted to one adult and two children under the age of 17 per ID.

Additional Information

You must have either attended three games this season to be able to purchase tickets for this fixture, or bring evidence and ID to the Club Shop that you live in an LA postcode area. Tickets will be restricted to one adult and two children, under the age of 17, per ID. Tickets for this fixture will have to be collected from the home ticket office, on the day of the fixture, and ID must again be shown on collection.

There will be no sales over the phone. When purchasing from the Club Shop, ID must be shown for each adult. The same ID must be shown by each adult collecting their ticket on match day, from the home ticket office.

Tickets are available in the home end only. Any away supporters found to have purchased tickets in the home stands will have their tickets cancelled without refund. Any home fans who are found to have purchased tickets on behalf of away fans are reminded this activity can carry a lifetime ban from the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

This will be a ticket only fixture, there will be no sales on the day.

The deadline for sales and refunds is Friday 8 March at 17:00.

We have a limited number of wheelchair spaces available for this fixture - to purchase, visit us in-store and pay the relevant admission price to receive a complimentary carer ticket.