The Shrimps host the Imps in Sky Bet League One on Tuesday 28 September at the Mazuma Stadium.
After a fiercely fought Lancashire derby at the weekend, where Stephen Robinson’s side battled on with 10 men for 60 minutes, the Shrimps earned a deserved point and another source of confidence heading into Tuesday night’s fixture. The Imps overcame Burton Albion by two goals to one last time out, thanks to goals from Anthony Scully and Lewis Fiorini.
Out of the 14 league/cup meetings between the two, the Shrimps have only won two, with both victories coming in the 2009/10 season and both scorelines being 3-1 to Morecambe. City have won seven and drawn five with most meetings coming in League Two, with the exception of an FA Cup clash and a LDV Vans Trophy match respectively.
The Opposition
Form guide
Michael Appleton’s side enjoyed a successful 2020/21 campaign which culminated in narrowly missing out on promotion to the Championship in the Sky Bet League One Play-Off Final against Blackpool.
This season, the Imps have been unable to replicate last season’s form and have only tasted victory in League One on three occasions, at home to Fleetwood Town, away at newly promoted Cambridge United and at Burton Albion. Appleton’s team currently find themselves in 17th place ahead of the fixture.
As a player, Appleton enjoyed a brief spell at the LNER Stadium, before going on to represent the likes of Preston North End and West Brom. The 45-year-old started his managerial career in charge at the Baggies, before going on to manage the likes of Blackpool and Oxford United before arriving at City in September 2019. Having taken charge of 101 matches, the Salford-born man has won 46, drawn 19 and lost 36. Under his tenure, the Imps have scored 170 goals, conceded 132 and earned 157 points, averaging out at 1.55 points-per-match.
Michael Appleton’s pre-match thoughts
Tuesday’s opponents picked up their third win of the season on Saturday, and Appleton is hoping his side can put in a similar performance against a tricky Morecambe side.
“Morecambe have made a great start, they have the momentum behind them,” Appleton said.
“They’re well organised and have a striker who is scoring for fun.
“We need to be mindful of that and have the same resolute attitude like we had on Saturday."
City’s key players
Winger Anthony Scully has started the 2021/22 campaign strongly, scoring 10 goals and providing three assists in all competitions. A proven goal scorer, the 22-year-old played a key part of the Imps’ success last season, making 53 appearances, netting 16 times and providing nine assists. The London-born man also has international experience under his belt, having played for the Republic of Ireland U18s, U19s and U21s.
Summer signing Teddy Bishop arrived at the LNER Stadium in July after seven years as a professional at Ipswich Town. The 25-year-old, who progressed through the ranks at Portman Road, went on to make 132 appearances for the Tractor Boys, scoring five goals from the centre of midfield. Bishop has started his City career well, making 10 appearances, scoring one goal and providing three assists.
Another exciting arrival, Lewis Fiorini, joined the club in the summer on a season-long loan from Premier League champions Manchester City. The 19-year-old has previous loan experience and spent the 2020/21 campaign on-loan at Dutch side NAC Breda, scoring six goals and providing five assists in 36 appearances, helping them to a fifth-place finish in Eerste Divisie. The Manchester-born man has also represented Scotland internationally at youth level, making a total of nine appearances for the U16s, U17s, U19s and U21s, scoring five times.
Shrimps’ pre-match thoughts
Ahead of the clash, Robinson has reiterated the message that there is no easy game in League One and is hoping his side will benefit from three points against the Imps.
“It is a big game for us,” he said.
“We are right beside each other in the table and they will be thinking the same, Lincoln are a very good side.
“They started slowly but have started to get a few results under their belt, every game is a tough game in this division, it is a huge incentive to get a victory that would see us move up the table.
“This season has been a bit of a rollercoaster hasn’t it, but what desire we have, if I am a Morecambe fan and I see the desire these players play with, I’d be quietly content I think.”
Meet the men in black
Ben Toner takes charge of Tuesday night’s fixture, with Peter Gooch and Helen Edwards running the line and Martin Coy taking up the role of fourth official.
The Lancashire-based official has taken charge of eight games so far this season, three in League One, two in League Two, one in the Carabao Cup and two in the Papa John’s Trophy. Out of those games, Toner has issued 18 yellow cards and one red card.
The referee took charge of the Shrimps on one occasion last season, our 1-0 victory at home to Oldham Athletic in the Carabao Cup.
Don’t miss a kick with our iFollow coverage
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.