Easter Monday sees Barrow AFC join us at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium, as we look to make it two wins on the bounce.
The Shrimps will be hoping to make it two derby wins in two fixtures as they host Morecambe Bay neighbours Barrow AFC on Monday 1 April.
The match takes place three days after Morecambe made the short trip to the Wham Stadium to face Accrington Stanley on Good Friday. A first EFL goal for midfielder Nelson Khumbeni and a Charlie Brown free-kick saw the Shrimps come out 2-1 winners on the day, Ged Brannan claiming all three points on the return to his former club.
In their Good Friday fixture, Barrow hosted Grimsby Town at Holker Street. Ex-Shrimp Cole Stockton scored a brace, with Robbie Gotts adding a third for the Bluebirds in the 82nd minute. Justin Obikwu got one back for the visitors in the 89th minute, but his goal proved nothing more than a consolation, the scoreline finishing 3-1 to the hosts.
Monday's two sides last faced each other on Halloween, under the lights at Holker Street. On this evening, a Dom Telford strike saw all three points stay in Barrow - 1-0 the final score.
The Opposition
The Bluebirds have had a strong campaign in League Two this season, 18 wins and 13 draws seeing the side on 67 points. This places Pete Wild's side in fifth, firmly in the play-off spots and still in the fight for the automatic promotion spots.
Wild has been at the helm at Holker Street since the May of 2022, after spending a spell at Halifax Town.
Key Players
Midfielder Ben Whitfield tops the scoring charts for the Bluebirds, netting 10 goals in his 33 appearances this season. Whitfield made the move to Holker Street in the summer of 2022, having spent a season at Stockport County.
Another important asset in Barrow's campaign since his January arrival is striker Cole Stockton. The forward has scored seven goals in his 12 appearances and will no doubt be looking to cause problems on his return to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium. Stockton made over 200 appearances for the Shrimps over two spells, scoring 70 goals in the process.
The Man in the Middle
Marc Edwards will take charge at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium on Monday afternoon, the referee officiating his 24th fixture of the season. In his previous 23, Edwards has dished out 100 cards, 99 of them yellows.
Shrimps' fans may remember the referee from Morecambe's trip to Milton Keynes in January; a late Charlie Brown strike completing a memorable 2-1 comeback for Ged Brannan's side on this afternoon.
Richard Woodward and Karl Buckley will run the line, with fourth official Paul Newhouse completing the team of officials.
Ged Brannan’s Pre-Match Thoughts
Morecambe manager Ged Brannan spoke ahead of a tough Easter Monday challenge.
"Barrow are flying this year," he said. "They've had a fantastic season no matter what, so we know it's going to be a tough game.
"There's going to be a big crowd, it's going to be very noisy. We're going to have to go out there and try and get the three points to keep us in the mix.
"We'll go into the game full of confidence and try and play our normal game."
Team News
Brandon Barker, Donald Love, and Stu Moore remain sidelined for the Shrimps, while JJ McKiernan and Farrend Rawson may make a return to the squad on Monday afternoon.
Watch Live!
Those who are unable to join us at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium on Easter Monday will be able to follow the action with an iFollow Shrimps video match pass.
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