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Newey Returns
Newey Returns

Grimsby v Morecambe Preview

By: Alex Green
Date: 15/11/2007

SO have we all got our Telegraph vouchers? Having spent the week thinking Town are two steps away from Wembley we're bought back to the reality that we're in a little trouble and three points against Morecambe would be awfully nice.

Home > 2007-2008 Season > Previews > Morecambe (h)


The Opposition

Overview

So welcome to the Football League, here’s your six pack of Coca Cola and a visit from Jeff Stelling in a few weeks time. isn't it all nice and new or is the shine and novelty wearing off from a Morecambe fans' perspective yet? Since promotion Morecambe have been capable of holding their own against some of the tougher opposition this season and wins against Tranmere, Preston and Wolves have all showed some of the potential the young squad has on the Northwest coast but alas all hope is slowly fading for a remarkable second promotion. Laying 16th The Shrimps now find themselves on the end of a pretty dismal run with their last win being over a month ago now against Bradford. That only being their second win in fourteen games doesn't look too good for a team slowly slipping towards the party at the bottom.

The Team
Not only do Morecambe get to call upon some of the most experienced players who have worked outside the Football League, but they can count on their midfield talisman Michael Twiss to provide some breathtaking play and skill to help distribute the ball. Besides existing talent from the Conference days like Mike Howard (left), former Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIllroy (above) has been able to call upon loanees from the Championship including Ryan Cresswell (Sheff Utd) and Joe Lewis (Norwich). In between the posts once Blackburn trainee 22-year-old Steven Drench has already managed 68 appearances for his club. Former Mariner central defender Simon Grand is in the Morecambe squad, having been released by Town in the summer. McIllroy has tried to mould a team capable of playing on the break which can play with confidence if they take a lead. One bad thing for Town, Morecambe will almost always at least secure a point if they get on the score sheet.

Key Player
Michael Twiss. The Former Manchester United midfielder has found his footballing home land in Morecambe after travelling to Port Vale Chester and Leigh Twiss settled on the coast and has become a cult hero among Shrimp fans. At home Twiss is capable of holding a game and dictating the pace while away he came make a pin point pass to break a stretched defence. Twiss’s composure with his goal at Molineux shows his capabilities. Last season his goals were instrumental in their promotion and on form is one of the best players in League Two.

Recent Form

TownMorecambe
DDarlington (JPT)(h)2-2 (5-4p)
DCarlisle (FAC)(a)1-1
LMK Dons(a)0-2
LRotherham(a)1-2
DBradford(h)1-1
Currently 22nd in League Two.
DHartlepool (JPT)(a)1-1 (4-2p)
LPort Vale (FAC)(h)0-2
LAccrington(h)0-1
DChesterfield(a)2-2
DRochdale(h)1-1
Currently 16th in League Two.

Top Scorers

TownMorecambe
Ciaran Toner4
Paul Bolland4
Baker6
Newby4

Team News

TownMorecambe

  • Whittle is injured for two weeks and Logan has returned to Manchester. However Tom Newey returns after missing the Doncaster game through suspension.

  • If either Newey or Fenton is booked on Saturday they will be suspended and with such a small defence left Matthew Bird may be called upon from the youth ranks. Other than that has anyone got any boots?

  • Martin Butler returns after being cup tied in the Doncaster game, although he may not start with Jones and North doing so well the other night.
  • Top scorer Carl Barker is a major doubt for the game, having missed the midweek win over Hartlepool with an ankle injury.

  • Garry Thompson (hamstring) and Matty Blinkhorn (ankle) are also doubts.

  • Ryan Cresswell has had to go back to Sheffield United after suffering from shin splints.

  • Michael Twiss will be available after completing his three-match ban.
  • Probable Teams

    TownMorecambe
    G1Barnes
    D2Clarke
    D5Bennett
    D6Fenton
    D3Newey
    M7Till
    M4Hunt
    M11Boshell
    M17Hegarty
    F9North
    F23Butler
    G30Scott Davies
    D4Artell
    D2Yates
    D25Adams
    D3Howard
    M18Lloyd
    M8Hunter
    M12Allen
    M17Burns
    F7Twiss
    F20Newby

    Subs

    TownMorecambe
    13Montgomery
    18Bore
    10Toner
    19Jones
    20Taylor
    1Drench
    6Stanley
    14Sorvel
    24Langford
    19Grand

    Head to Head

    The teams have only met once, a 1-1 draw at Blundell Park in the 2005-2006 season in the LDV Trophy. Morecambe won on penalties.

    P 1 W 0 D 1 L 0 F 1 A 1

    Morecambe Head-to-Head (not on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    Morecambe 1-1 Grimsby (Sat 08th April 2007)

    A weakened Town side lost to the Conference club on penalties in Slade's second season. Paul Ashton scored Town's equaliser, his only goal in his only game for Grimsby.

     Report

    Prediction

    Grimsby Town 2-1 Morecambe

    Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Blundell Park (left).

    Admission Prices

    Click on the link for ticket prices to Blundell Park.

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