The Mariners return to Blundell Park tomorrow with Ben Davies and Shaun Pearson set to take charge of their first home match of their interim roles as co-Head Coaches with Morecambe the visitors.
After last weekend’s come-from-behind draw at Slough in the First Round of this season’s Emirates FA Cup, this weekend’s match is the first of two home matches in four days with the Berkshire club set to visit North East Lincolnshire next Tuesday.
Team News
In pre-match media this week, Pearson shared that two players are injury doubts ahead of tomorrow’s match with one of those being right back Michee Efete after he was taken off late on against Slough last weekend.
Pearson did confirm that Gavan Holohan, an injury absentee last week, is back fit and available for selection.
Morecambe
Relegated from Sky Bet League One last term, Morecambe are pushing for an immediate return to the third tier and currently find themselves sitting in the Play-Off spots.
Manager Derek Adams is in his second stint in charge of the Shrimps with an eight-month spell at Bradford City coming in between June 2021 and February 2022 before returning to the West Coast. Adams replaced the long-serving Jim Bentley as manager for his first spell in November 2019 and, in the 2020/21 season, he guided Morecambe to the third tier for the first time in their history after successfully navigating their way through the Play-Offs.
After returning in February 2022, he helped the Shrimps stay up by two points in his first season back but was unable to recreate that feat last term with his side finishing 22nd in League One, two points from safety.
19-year-old striker Michael Mellon, son of experienced Football League manager Micky, is their top scorer so far this season with nine goals to his name with midfielder John McKiernan five further behind. Tom Bloxham and Manchester United academy graduate Donald Love lead the way with assists, both having provided three for their teammates.
Form
Last weekend saw Morecambe defeat League One opposition in the First Round of the FA Cup, defeating Lincoln City 2-1 away from home.
In the league, a 1-0 defeat at Barrow ended an impressive run of four consecutive victories and a seven match unbeaten run, including away victories at Sutton United, Colchester United and Forest Green Rovers.
While Morecambe are yet to experience defeat at home yet this season, they have lost four of their seven away fixtures and are yet to draw on the road.
The Mariners are currently on a five-match winless run in the fourth tier, finding ourselves in 21st place, with a point from a 2-2 draw at Tranmere Rovers our last return in league action. Our last victory came against Barrow at the start of October.
Coverage
Overseas viewers will be able to watch the action live on Mariners TV for just £10 with match passes available HERE.
UTM
