MORECAMBE FOOTBALL CLUB

Morecambe come into the game on the back of a 2-2 draw against Charlton Athletic in midweek. Two early strikes from the visitors were cancelled out by a Cole Stockton penalty and a header from captain Anthony O'Connor. 

 

The two sides have met four times in Sky Bet League Two. The Dons have had the better of Morecambe in their previous meetings with two wins compared to the Shrimps’ one. The other encounter ended in a 1-1 draw. 

 

 

 

MK Dons started off the season strongly and went eight games unbeaten before defeats to strugglers Doncaster Rovers and Fleetwood Town. Liam Manning’s men sit 8th in the division, one point off the play-off places. Ahead of Saturday's clash, they’ve recorded three wins out of their last five league matches.

 

Manning began his coaching career as a youth coach at Ipswich Town where he was previously handed a professional contract as a player. He then joined West Ham United in 2015. The 36-year-old also spent time coaching at New York City in the MLS before he was appointed manager of Belgian First Division B side Lommel. In August this year, he was appointed MK Dons manager. After enjoying a successful September, Manning was named Manager of the Month.

 

 

Top scorer Scott Twine has found the back of the net eight times this season and has contributed with four assists. The 22-year-old came through the academy at his hometown club Swindon Town and spent time out on loan at a number of clubs before joining MK Dons this Summer.

 

Club captain Dean Lewington was named last year’s player of the season. The defender has played over 700 games for MK Dons and came through the youth setup at Wimbledon where he turned professional back in 2003. The 37-year-old had a spell as interim manager after the departure of Russell Martin four days before the beginning of this season.

 

Striker Max Watters is on loan with the Dons from Cardiff City. He turned professional with Doncaster Rovers at the beginning of the 2016/17 season and was loaned out to Grantham Town, Gainsborough Trinity, Mickleover Sports and Maidstone United. Upon his release from the Bluebirds, he signed for Crawley Town where he scored twice on his league debut which was a 4-0 victory over the Shrimps in October 2020. The 22-year-old joined Cardiff in January this year for an undisclosed fee.

 

 

Morecambe boss Stephen Robinson said he’s confident his side can make it four games undefeated in all competitions.

 

“We know what we’re good at, we know what we can be better at,” he said.

 

“I think the importance of being undefeated, getting momentum. I’ve spoken about the word momentum which we haven’t been able to do from our team selection and we haven’t been able to do with our results- we’ve never got on a run.

 

“If you put the Newport game into it we’re three unbeaten and we have to try and make it four on Saturday and I’m confident we can.”

 

 

Tyne-and-Wear official Rebecca Welch will take charge of Saturday’s game with assistants Kevin Mulraine and David Avent running the line. Martin Coy will be Saturday’s fourth official.

 

Welch became the first female referee to be appointed to an EFL match in March this year. This season, she has officiated seven matches and has handed out 22 yellow cards.

 

 

After teaming up with Beyond Radio for the 2021/22 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 across North Lancashire on 103.5 and 107.5FM, as well as on the iFollow Shrimps platform.

 

Joining host Dave Salmon is the club’s media assistant Matt Smith, audio passes are available from as little as £2.50 per match, £4.49 for a monthly pass or £45 for a season pass.

 

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 the chance for supporters to have their say.