Stockport County visit for travelling Shrimps

12 April 2024

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 70^th minute, and Ged Brannan’s men could not level proceedings in the final 20 minutes – the score ultimately finishing 1-0 to the Railwaymen.

Morecambe vs Crewe 9th April-29.jpg

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 67^th 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 87^th 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 25^th 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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Those who are unable to make the the trip to Stockport on Saturday afternoon will be able to follow the action with an iFollow Shrimps audio match pass.

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Match Reports

Hatters triumph over Shrimps

13 April 2024

Title-chasing Stockport County picked up all three points against the Shrimps at Edgeley Park.

The damage was done in the first half as goals courtesy of Tanto Olaofe and Fraser Horsfall saw the Hatters two up at the interval.

An early opportunity for the promotion chasers saw Antoni Sarcevic’s corner whipped in from the right, Kyle Wootton was waiting to prod the ball home but a vital interception at the death from David Tutonda denied the hosts.

The first goal of the afternoon came on eight minutes as Paddy Madden crossed deep, a header at the back post was sent back across goal to Olaofe who volleyed home from close range.

The Hatters came close to a second on 14 minutes when Olaofe read the long ball over the top, set himself through on goal with his first touch and looked to pull the trigger before Farrend Rawson blocked in the nick of time.

Morecambe’s first sight on goal came on 21 minutes after Charlie Brown’s dangerous free kick was swung in, Rawson was there at the back post waiting to make the contact, but the ball evaded him and rolled out for a goal kick.

In the fourth of five added on minutes at the end of the first half, County doubled their advantage. Sarcevic’s corner was sent deep and Horsfall met it with a header too powerful for Archie Mair to keep out.

Half-time: Stockport County 2 Morecambe 0

In the opening stages of the second half, substitute Connor Lemonheigh Evans cut inside and fired an effort at goal, a deflection courtesy of Yann Songo’o diverted the ball’s path away from its intended target.

Mair was called into action on 51 minutes as Callum Camps latched onto a through ball and struck across the goalkeeper, who managed to get a strong hand to the strike before smothering the danger.

Midway through the second 45, County won themselves a free kick in a promising position. Up stepped Odin Bailey with a curling effort which was too high to trouble Mair.

Following a spell of possession, Chris Stokes looked to release Jordan Slew who found himself bearing down on goal, though the linesman's flag was raised for offside.

On 85 minutes, Joel Senior found himself in plenty of space just outside the box. He received the ball, turned and blasted an effort just wide of Ben Hinchliffe's left-hand post.

Full-time: Stockport County 2 Morecambe 0

Stockport County: Hinchliffe, Knoyle (Byrne, 62’), Horsfall, Camps, Madden © (Powell, 71'), Sarcevic (Richards, 72'), Pye, Wootton, Bristow, Olaofe (Lemonheigh Evans, 20’), Bailey (Barry, 72').

Subs not used: Smith, Hippolyte.

Goals: Olaofe (08’), Horsfall (45+4’).

Bookings: Camps.

Red cards: None.

Morecambe: Mair, Tutonda, Bedeau, Rawson ©, Garner (Slew, HT), McKiernan, Senior, Stokes (C Smith, 77'), Edwards (Love, 77'), Brown (Adams, 69’), Khumbeni (Songo’o, HT).

Subs not used: A Smith, Threlkeld.

Goals: None.

Bookings: Edwards, Bedeau, Brown.

Red cards: None.

Attendance: 10,117 (441 away).

Ticket News

Tickets available for Stockport County trip

2 April 2024

Tickets are now on sale for our Sky Bet League Two trip to Stockport County on Saturday 13 April.

Ticket Prices

	Advance Ticket Price
Adult	£24
Senior 65+	£17
Disabled	£17
Student	£17
Youth 14-17	£12
Junior 6 - 13 *	£8
Child under 5 *	£2

*This fixture is all seated, all children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a full paying adult/senior.

Supporters are advised this fixture is an ALL-TICKET fixture. There will be no sales on the day.

We have been issued a total of 906 tickets which can be bought online by clicking here, phoning 01524 411797 (select option three) or visiting the MFC Club Shop.

Those requiring a wheelchair bay must purchase via Stockport County's ticket office directly. To buy, call 0161 266 2700 and select option two. Once the relevant admission fee is paid, a complimenty carer ticket will be issued. Additionally, proof of entitlement of DLA or PIP must be provided.

Anyone who doesn’t receive their tickets in time for the fixture through the post must contact tickets@morecambefc.com. Alternatively, call the Club Shop on 01524 411797 (ext 3) in advance of 16:00 on Friday 12 April.