Match Preview | Accrington Stanley (H)

3 October 2023

The Shrimps host Accrington Stanley at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium in the first Lancashire derby of the 2023/24 campaign.

Derek Adams’ men head into the fixture on the back of an impressive 2-1 away win against Forest Green Rovers at The New Lawn. Goals from Michael Mellon and Jordan Slew respectively either side of the break was enough to claim victory, despite Matty Taylor’s late consolation.

It was quite the contrast for Stanley, who fell to a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Stockport County. Isaac Olaofe, Will Collar and Louie Barry all netted for the Hatters with Jack Nolan’s 86^th minute strike proving too little too late for the home side.

Since promotion to the EFL in 2007, Morecambe have faced off against Accrington Stanley 27 times in all competitions. Of those meetings, we have registered four wins, eight draws and 15 losses.

The last encounter between the two sides came in late December 2022. First half goals from Liam Shaw and Jensen Weir respectively eased the Shrimps to a convincing victory.

The Opposition

Following a disappointing last campaign which saw Stanley relegated to Sky Bet League Two, it’s been a mixed start to 2023/24 for John Coleman’s men, who currently sit 15^th in the table.

After their first 10 games, Stanley have four wins, one draw and five losses.

A strong opening day 3-0 victory over Newport County has been followed by heavy defeats against the likes of Notts County, Mansfield Town and Stockport County.

John Coleman is well into his second stint as Stanley boss, having previously spent from August 1999 until January 2012 at the Wham Stadium.

The 60-year-old is now the second longest serving manager in the EFL (behind Harrogate Town’s Simon Weaver) having re-joined the East Lancashire outfit in September 2014.

480 matches later and at the time of writing, Coleman boasts a points-per-match average of 1.45 with 196 wins, 106 draws and 178 losses.

Key Players

Current top scorer Jack Nolan is into his third season at the Wham Stadium. The winger, who has three league goals to his name so far this campaign, played under current Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper for England U17s. On the international stage, Nolan lined up along with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Brennan Johnson and Curtis Jones.

Central midfielder Tommy Leigh has proven a threat as a provider as well as in front of goal with two goals and assists in 10 games. The 23-year-old was released by Portsmouth as a youngster before playing semi-professionally with Baffins Milton Rovers and Bognor Regis Town respectively. Leigh was then picked up by Stanley, where he’s made 89 appearances to-date since signing in the summer of 2021.

A familiar name to Shrimps fans is former defender Kelvin Mellor, who joined Stanley on a free in the summer. The 32-year-old was part of our 2020/21 League Two play-off winning squad where he made 40 appearances in all competitions. With 453 professional appearances to-date, Mellor brings a wealth of experience to Stanley.

John Coleman’s Pre-Match Thoughts

Coleman enjoyed a lengthy spell with the Shrimps as a player, and ahead of Tuesday night's derby, he highlighted the significance of this fixture for the supporters.

Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, he said: "It's something we're going to have to touch on in our meetings today, how important this game is for the fans, and the players have got to realise that.

"I think what we've got to do is not focus on the opposition too much today, we've got to focus on how we approach the game.

"I know our fans have the banter with Morecambe and the rivalry, but I had so many good years there as a player, it's hard for me not to have an emotional tie with them."

Team News

Having served a one match suspension following his sending off against Swindon Town, Yann Songo’o is available for selection.

Skipper Donald Love will miss out having picked up his fifth yellow card in our last outing against Forest Green Rovers.

Meet The Officials

Keith Stroud will take charge of the fixture alongside linesmen Andrew Fox and Robert Merchant as well as fourth official Ed Duckworth.

The experienced referee has been the man in the middle of six games so far this season, five of which came in the Championship, with the other falling in Leauge One.

In those fixtures, he has issued a total of 33 yellow cards and one red card. Based in Hampshire, Stroud last took charge of the Shrimps in April 2015; a narrow 2-1 away defeat against Burton Albion.

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Match Reports

Report | Morecambe 1 Accrington Stanley 1

3 October 2023

A goal each in the second half saw the Shrimps and Accrington Stanley play out a 1-1 draw at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

James Connolly netted his first of the season on 64 minutes before Tommy Leigh equalised from the spot six minutes later.

The visitors went in search of a fast start with a free kick from the edge of the Morecambe box. Up stepped Jack Nolan who looked to curl one low, which Stuart Moore was more than equal to.

On the back of his first goal of the season against Forest Green Rovers, Jordan Slew nearly netted again after meeting Michael Mellon’s cross at the back post, but it was straight at Jon McCracken who saved with his legs.

Moments later, at the other end, Moore was called into an action with an acrobatic diving save to his left to deny a Stanley strike from distance.

Big chances at either end as the clock ticked over the half-hour mark; Mellon saw a volley from inside the box deflected behind for a corner before Matt Lowe’s flicked effort rolled narrowly wide of the right-hand post for the visitors.

Former Morecambe man Kelvin Mellor made a vital headed clearance to deny Jake Taylor firing the Shrimps ahead; he did well with a dinked effort before Mellor rescued the away side.

Similarly, just a matter of minutes later, Eli King produced a fine defensive header to deny Nolan’s curling effort.

Half-time: Morecambe 0 Accrington Stanley 0

Two early second half chances fell the way of the Shrimps through JJ McKiernan. First, a volley on the turn flew wide before the Northern Irish youth international broke through one on one, only to see he his effort blocked by McCracken and cleared by a defender.

Three minutes before the hour mark, Slew stung the palms of McCracken with a fierce strike from the left, the Stanley keeper at full stretch to deny the Shrimps an opener.

With 64 minutes on the clock, the Shrimps found a deserved opener. Slew fired the ball across the box and there waiting was Connolly whose deft touch sent the ball beyond the keeper and into the back of the net.

Six minutes later, the visitors were level from the penalty spot. Tom Bloxham was adjudged to bring down Shaun Whalley in the box before Leigh stepped up and converted from 12-yards.

Deep into second half added time, the Shrimps had a golden chance to take all three points when Slew found himself racing down on goal from the right, though his resulting shot was fired over.

Full-time: Morecambe 1 Accrington Stanley 1

Morecambe: Moore, Tutonda, Bedeau ©, Bloxham (Mayor, 75’), King, Mellon, McKiernan, Senior, Slew, Taylor (Davenport, 79’), Connolly.

Subs not used: A Smith, Songo’o, C Smith, Walker.

Goals: Connolly (64’).

Bookings: Bloxham, Bedeau.

Red cards: None.

Accrington Stanley: McCracken, Mellor (Whalley, 56’), Hills, Woods, Lowe, Pritchard ©, Longelo (Shipley, 87’), Gubbins (Pickles, 76’), Nolan, Leigh (Martin, 76’), Andrews.

Subs not used: McIntyre, O’Brien, Woods.

Goals: Leigh (70’).

Bookings: Andrews, Hills.

Red cards: None.

Attendance: 3,458 (320).