After three consecutive home matches, we head to Greater Manchester to face league leaders Stockport County.
Morecambe will be hoping to finish the season with a flourish as they enter their final three fixtures of their Sky Bet League Two campaign.
The Shrimps last played on Tuesday night, hosting a promotion-chasing Crewe Alexandra at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium. Both sides struggled to get going in the first half, with strong winds limiting the quality of football on show under the lights. The visitors managed to grab a goal through their leading goalscorer Elliott Nevitt in the 70th minute, and Ged Brannan’s men could not level proceedings in the final 20 minutes – the score ultimately finishing 1-0 to the Railwaymen.
Stockport County also played midweek, making the long trip south to Essex to face Colchester United. Nick Powell gave the visitors the lead, before Cameron McGeehan equalised just before half time for the hosts, who have found themselves involved in a battle for safety at the bottom end of the League Two table. Paddy Madden put the visitors ahead just after the hour mark, and after saving a Colchester United penalty in the 67th minute, the Hatters were able to see out the game to put them in touching distance of promotion to League One.
Saturday afternoon’s two sides last faced each other in December, on an afternoon most likely better remembered by fans for the horrific weather conditions at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium. Morecambe took the lead through a Michael Mellon strike, before Kyle Wootton equalised for Stockport County in the 87th minute, the spoils shared at the full-time whistle.
The Opposition
Stockport County have had a season to remember in League Two this year. The Greater Manchester outfit entered the automatic promotion spots at the start of October and have not found themselves lower than third place since. 24 wins and 11 draws have earned Dave Challinor’s side 83 points, four points clear at the top of the League Two standings.
Challinor has been in charge at Edgeley Park since the November of 2021. In his first season with the Hatters, he guided them to promotion to the Football League, and led them on a record-equalling 12-game winning streak earlier this season.
Key Players
The Hatters have scored more than any other club in League Two this season, so it is no surprise that they have a variety of dangerous assets in their attacking line. Top of the goalscoring charts for Stockport is Isaac Olaofe, the 24-year-old netting 20 times in his 47 appearances in all competitions. The centre-forward made the move to Edgeley Park in the January of 2023.
Paddy Madden follows closely behind, the experienced forward scoring 19 times in his 45 appearances for the club. The 34-year-old joined Stockport County in March 2021, and has made 150 appearances for the side, scoring on 61 occasions in the process.
Ged Brannan’s Pre-Match Thoughts
Morecambe manager Ged Brannan spoke ahead of the Shrimps’ penultimate away trip of the campaign.
“I’m made up for Dave [Challinor],” he said. “I know Dave really well, and they’ve been fantastic this year.
“But there is no reason we can’t go there and put [their promotion] back a week!”
The Man in the Middle
Lee Swabey will take charge at Edgeley Park on Saturday, the referee officiating his 25th game of the season. In his previous 24, Swabey has brandished 108 yellow cards and an additional four reds.
Graeme Fyvie and Mark Cunliffe will run the line, while fourth official Aaron Jackson completes the officiating team.
Team News
Brandon Barker, Stu Moore and Max Melbourne remain sidelined for the Shrimps, with a potential return for Donald Love and Jacob Davenport on Saturday afternoon.
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