We return to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium as we look to carry our cup form into Sky Bet League Two against leaders Stockport County.
Morecambe will be looking to build on their cup success as they host the Sky Bet League Two hosts Stockport County on Saturday 9 December.
It will be the first Saturday home fixture for the Shrimps since 28 October, with international postponements and away cup draws keeping football away from the Mazuma Mobile Stadium over November.
Shrimps’ fans will hope their side can continue where they left off in Buckinghamshire, where goals either side of the break saw Ged Brannan’s men come away with a 2-0 victory against Sky Bet League One opposition Wycombe Wanderers in the second round of the FA Cup.
Their opponents on Saturday are league leaders Stockport County, who faced non-league Aldershot Town in their second round FA Cup clash. The game finished 2-2, after a brace from Aldershot’s Josh Stokes forced a replay, which will be played on Wednesday 13 December. The Hatters also played mid-week, with a Bristol Street Motors Trophy fixture against Wigan Athletic. Two first half goals from League One Wigan were enough on the night, the 2-0 scoreline knocking Stockport out of the competition.
It will be the first meeting of the two sides since January 2011, and the first trip to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium for the Hatters since November 2010. The Shrimps won 5-0 on this occasion, a hat-trick from striker Phil Jevons helping Morecambe to see off the Greater Manchester outfit.
The Opposition
Stockport County have had a start to remember to their Sky Bet League Two campaign. After missing out on promotion following a play-off final loss to Carlisle United, Dave Challinor’s men have started as they mean to go on; 13 wins, three draws and four losses earning them the top spot in Sky Bet League Two with 42 points.
Challinor has held his post at Edgeley Park since November 2021, guiding them to promotion to the Football League in his first season at the club. Having made over 100 appearances for the club as a player, Challinor has had a great start to his managerial stint at the club, winning Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month awards in September and October of this season, having achieved a record-equalling 12-game winning streak. This streak ended towards the end of November, where recent Mazuma Mobile Stadium visitors Newport County came out on top in their clash at Rodney Parade.
Key Players
With 40 goals scored in their Sky Bet League Two campaign to date, it’s no surprise that the Hatters have a range of attacking threats in their squad.
Centre-forward Isaac Olaofe has scored 13 goals in all competitions so far this season, including a hat-trick against Wrexham AFC back in September.
The Shrimps can expect Olaofe to be joined in attack by Kyle Wootton, the 27-year-old having already netted seven times in his 13 appearances this season in all competitions, having returned from a serious knee injury that kept him on the sidelines for the start of their campaign.
Ged Brannan’s Pre-Match Thoughts
Morecambe manager Ged Brannan spoke of the importance of the weekend's win for squad confidence.
"You get a win and it gives confidence around the place, everyone's buzzing," he said.
"It was brilliant. As I say, the relief was fantastic, to get our first win. Hopefully we can go and build on that now."
He went on to discuss the challenge ahead.
"They've had a few injuries and they've lost a few games but they're still a top team. Dave [Challinor]'s doing a fantastic job there, last season they made the play-offs.
They're a really well organised team so we're going to have to be at our best to beat them.
We're at home so they're going to have to stop us from playing. We'll go out and play our normal game, high tempo, getting men forward, passing the ball like we can. It'll be up to them to stop us playing."
The Man in the Middle
Leigh Doughty will be the man in black on Saturday afternoon, the referee officiating his 15th game of the season. In his previous 14, the yellow card has found its way out of his pocket 58 times, with the red seeing the light of day on two occasions.
He will be flanked by assistants Nigel Lugg and Mark Russell, with fourth official Scott Jackson completing the officiating team.
Team News
Stu Moore and Donald Love are the only two absentees for the Shrimps, sidelined with their respective injuries.
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