Morecambe Vs Bristol Rovers, Globe Arena, Morecambe, Sky Bet League 2, Saturday 14th December 2013, Kick Off 3:00pm please log in to view this image Vs please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Morecambe Info Nickname: The Shrimps Founded: 1920 Ground: Globe Arena, Morecambe Capacity: 6,476 (2,247 seated) Pitch Size: 110 x 76 yards Year Ground Opened: 2010 Address: Christie Way, Westgate, Morecambe LA4 4TB Main Telephone No: 01524 411 797 Fax No: 01524 832 230 Home Kit Colours: Red & White Away Kit Colours: Blue & Yellow Shirt Sponsors: Blacks Life Outdoors Kit Manufacturers: FILA Official Web Sites: www.morecambefc.com Head To Head: http://www.bristolrovers-mad.co.uk/head_to_head/next/vs/match/index.shtml Current League Position: Pld 10th W 8 D 5 L F 25 A 27 GD -2 Pts 29 Current Form: L L D W L please log in to view this image
Morecambe being out of form is a good chance for us to pick up an easy three points but normally when this is the case we lose so I'm going for a 2-2 draw .
One bit of good news (for us) is that Richard Ellison is out, injured. He's a bluddy nuisance on the field. A touch of the Neil Warnock's; hate him when he's playing against you, but would really like to have him on your side!
Manager on Saturday's game. John Ward is expecting a tough test when his side visit Morecambe this weekend, despite the Shrimps poor home form. The manager believes the first half an hour will set the tone of the game, and believes it is important for his side to start well. He said: “It will be tough, Cheltenham have just been there and beaten them, so we have to be prepared. “The first 20-30 minutes of the game will be hard pressed, and we have to try and establish ourselves and see what mood they are in. “If they are in a fighting mood because they lost last week, we are going to have to stand up to that, and if they have got a bit of problem, we have to try and exploit it. I expect the first one, and I don’t expect an easy ride. “If they score first it could be their day to put things right. If we can get the upper hand you never know if it will set a few doubts in their minds. “Every game starts with a clean slate, and it will be an interesting game. We are in good form going up there, and we will see if we can keep this good run going.” The manager was disappointed to lose Will Packwood this week, but he will be boosted by the return of Chris Beardsley and John Joe-O’Toole, and has options in defence. He said: “We are disappointed, but I always knew it was a possibility. Will has done a really good job here and thoroughly enjoyed himself. “Who knows what may happen in the future, but if he gets in the Birmingham side and plays in the Championship then fair play to him, we will be very pleased that we played a small part in that. “We won’t lose track of him, and I don’t think he will lose track of us either, I think he genuinely enjoyed his time here, and made a big impact on the fans. “He goes with our best wishes, and we hope he does very well, and at the same time it is nice to get Beardsley and O’Toole back in our squad, two experienced players. “Tom Lockyer has done a good job in defence, so we will deal with that, and we are hoping to get Mark McChrystal back in to full time training next week. “Garry Kenneth joins in with the squad for training this morning for the first time, and we will see how it goes.” And with the league so tight, Rovers could move up a number of places if they can keep their good run going over the Christmas period. John said: “The weekend can make a difference, but with the Christmas period coming thick and fast, with five or six games over a really short space of time, if we can pick up points we could be looking at a brighter picture in the New Year. “We have got to make sure we push on the way we have done, and keep going, especially over the congested period coming up."
For Anyone Going Tickets: Rovers fans travelling to Morecambe will be able to buy tickets on the day at no extra cost. Tickets are available in the Bay Radio Terrace (covered standing) and the PMG Stand (covered seating). Seats are priced at £19 for adults, £15 for concessions, £6 for juniors (14-18) and free for children aged 5-13. Standing tickets cost £15 for adults, £12 for concessions, £5 for juniors (14-18) and free for children 5-13. How To Get There: Exit the M6 at junction 34, then take the A683 towards Lancaster and take the A589 towards Morecambe. Go straight across two roundabouts passing a McDonalds outlet on your left. At the next roundabout take the first exit into Westgate Road (signposted West Promenade, Sandylands). Continue along this road for about one mile and you will reach the stadium on your right. SatNav: LA4 4TB Distance: 215 miles Duration: 3 hours 39 minutes. Away Facilities: Away fans are mostly housed in the East Terrace at one end of the ground, where just under 1,400 supporters can be accommodated. In addition the Club also make around 300 seats available in the Peter McGuigan Stand, which is shared with home fans. As you would expect with a new stadium the facilities and the view of the playing action are good The closest bar that admits away supporters is on the Regent Leisure Holiday park. This is situated just a few minutes walk away from the stadium along Westgate. Last visit: Rovers' last visit to the Globe Arena was in February last year. Both teams shared the points in a 1-1 draw, with Eliot Richards hitting the back of the net for Rovers.
Our previous 2 visits to Morecambe: September 2011 - Morecambe 2-3 Rovers - This win put us temporarily back on track after a disappointing defeat by Aldershot the week before. Cian Bolger's header gave Rovers the lead in the first half, but by just past the hour mark they were 2-1 down as Jason Price turned home a low cross to equalise and Kevin Ellison curled in a free-kick. Rovers' response to going behind was immediate, as Scott McGleish fired in a shot from 25 yards, before Joe Anyinsah found the net from an acute angle after a solo-run, to win it seven minutes later. Incredibly, since this result, WE HAVE NOT COME FROM BEHIND TO WIN A GAME February 2013 - Morecambe 1-1 Rovers - The home side started well and were a goal ahead inside two minutes thanks to the in-form Jack Redshaw, but Eliot Richards' low shot ensured that we came away with a point. The Welshman had a chance to win it late on, but saw his shot saved after being put through on goal.
Possible Line Up 4-5-1 (evil post) Mildenhall Smith_Locker_Parkes_Brown Richards_Clarke_O'Tootle_Norburn_Clarkson Harrold obviously will look a bit different on the pitch
Morecambe are still without winger Kevin Ellison who suffered a fractured eye socket against Mansfield. Midfielder Alex Kenyon is suspended, while Ryan Williams is a doubt
A look at tomorrow's opponents Bristol Rovers travel north to visit Morecambe’s Globe Area this weekend looking to build on their recent improved form. The Lancashire team are without a win at home since their amazing comeback to beat Chesterfield 4-3 on October 5. Jim Bentley’s team have accumulated 29 points so far and sit on 10th place in the table. On Saturday the Shrimps lost out on a chance of advancing after going down to a late Troy Brown goal at home to Cheltenham Town. The best chance of the game for the home team fell to Stewart Drummond when he looked sure to score from Padraig Amond’s right wing cross but failed to find the target from close range. The midfielder was made to pay for the miss when Cheltenham stole the points 10 minutes from time when Richards’ free-kick was headed back across the Morecambe goal and Brown was in the right place to force the ball over the line from close range. Two seasons ago in their first visit to the Globe Arena Rovers secured a 3-2 victory. Cian Bolger gave Rovers the lead on 27 minutes. Then 12 minutes into the second half the Shrimps hit two quick goals from Jason Price and Kevin Ellison. Scott McGleish almost immediately pulled the scores level before Joe Anyinsah won the game for the Gas on 72 minutes. Then last year the points were shared. Rovers were rocked by a goal from the home side with little over a minute on the clock. When Tom Parkes lost possession, the loose ball fell kindly to Jack Redshaw, who hit a superb shot past Steve Mildenhall from just outside the area. The start of the second half was equally dramatic as within three minutes Lee Brown swung in a cross from the left and Eliot Richards rose to glance the ball into the net from six yards. That was how the game stayed. Speaking ahead of this weekend’s game Morecambe boss Jim Bentley said, “Look at the size of Bristol Rovers compared to us. They’re a big club and I’m sure they’d swap places with us at the moment. Before the start of the season we were the favourites to go down. I think we’re in a fantastic position with 29 points so far. “We’ll make sure that we do out homework on them and whatever team goes over that white line will give it their all. Hopefully we can take one of those chances coming our way.” Speaking about Rovers Cup exploits he noted, “They drew in the cup on Saturday so will have a replay right after they play us. Whether it’s a good or a bad time to be playing them we can’t be too concerned with that. “Bristol Rovers are a big club with some good players. They’re down there at the minute and scrapping to get further up the table but we’ll certainly give our all and come out fighting again. We’ve got to put the gum shield back in and get up off the floor and go again.” Talking of recent performances he said, “I talk about fine dividing lines. If Mansfield scored their penalty a couple of weeks ago I don’t think we win the game. But we save it and go up the other end and score with five minutes to go to win 2-1. “On the flipside on Saturday we had the best chance of the game, although they’ve probably been on top, and could have come in 1-0 winners and got out of jail a little bit. But that’s what football’s about, your swings and roundabouts and your ups and downs.” “They are key moments in games. Drummy’s (Stewart Drummond) was a massive opportunity for us to score and get something out of the game. But we haven’t taken it and invited the ball into the area and conceded."
Bentley looking for Globe success BOSS Jim Bentley says he believes it won’t be too long before they get back to winning ways at the Globe Arena. The Shrimps haven't won at home since their amazing comeback against Chesterfield in October but Bentley feels his side will soon recover. He said: “Football’s funny, we started well at home but couldn’t win away with defeats at Portsmouth and Wycombe. “But suddenly you win at Burton and Mansfield and you can’t win at home. “The main thing for me is that we certainly created enough chances in the York match and created one or two against Cheltenham in a game that didn’t have many and it was just unfortunate that they took one of theirs and we didn’t take any of ours. “We’ve got to remain positive and hopefully get back to winning ways.” But Bentley knows it will be no easy task against Rovers, who surprisingly find themselves just one place above the League 2 drop zone. The Shrimps boss said: “They’ve got a manager that’s very knowledgeable and an experienced with a big squad. “They’re down there at the minute but are a massive club at this level and arguably for the size of the club they shouldn’t be in League 2. “But there’s quite a few teams who find themselves there at the moment with aspirations of getting back up to League 1 as soon as possible. “Certainly Bristol Rovers are one of them and with what they’ve got at their disposal they should probably be doing a little bit better than they are at the moment.” The Shrimps are without Kevin Ellison while Alex Kenyon is suspended on Saturday and Ryan Williams a doubt. Bentley said: “Alex has done well but we’ve got options with him and Ryan missing. “Joe McGee can go in there and he’s been doing well in the reserves and training well. “We brought Andy Wright to the club as a midfielder and unfortunately because we haven’t got a recognised right back he’s been filling in there so that’s an option. “With three players looking like they’re out we’re down to 17 but another lad who’s doing well is Aaron McGowan who’s kicked on again and is showing signs of progression.”
All you need to know ahead of tomorrow's game Opposition: Morecambe go into tomorrow's game without a win at home since October 5th. Despite poor recent home form, the side still sit in tenth place in the league, just three points outside the play offs. The Shrimps will be without without Kevin Ellison, while Alex Kenyon is suspended on Saturday and Ryan Williams a doubt. Opposition view: Morecambe Boss Jim Bentley said, âLook at the size of Bristol Rovers compared to us. Theyâre a big club and Iâm sure theyâd swap places with us at the moment. Before the start of the season we were the favourites to go down. I think weâre in a fantastic position with 29 points so far âWeâll make sure that we do out homework on them and whatever team goes over that white line will give it their all. Hopefully we can take one of those chances coming our way.â John Wardâs Comments: âIt will be tough, Cheltenham have just been there and beaten them, so we have to be prepared. âThe first 20-30 minutes of the game will be hard pressed, and we have to try and establish ourselves and see what mood they are in. âIf they are in a fighting mood because they lost last week, we are going to have to stand up to that, and if they have got a bit of problem, we have to try and exploit it. I expect the first one, and I donât expect an easy ride. âIf they score first it could be their day to put things right. If we can get the upper hand you never know if it will set a few doubts in their minds. âEvery game starts with a clean slate, and it will be an interesting game. We are in good form going up there, and we will see if we can keep this good run going.â Last Meeting: The last meeting between the two teams was at the Globe Arena back in February. The game ended 1-1, with Eliot Richards netting for Rovers. Team News: John Ward will be boosted by the return of John-Joe O'Toole and Chris Beardsley, who have both completed their suspensions. However, the manager will be without Will Packwood, who has been recalled to Birmingham. Tickets: Rovers fans travelling to Morecambe will be able to buy tickets on the day at no extra cost. Tickets are available in the Bay Radio Terrace (covered standing) and the PMG Stand (covered seating). Seats are priced at £19 for adults, £15 for concessions, £6 for juniors (14-18) and free for children aged 5-13. Standing tickets cost £15 for adults, £12 for concessions, £5 for juniors (14-18) and free for children 5-13. Listen Live: Unable to make the trip to the Memorial Stadium tomorrow? Then you can follow all the action from 3pm as Bristol Rovers take on Morecambe LIVE on Gas Player. Betting: Rovers are 11/5 to take all three points at the Globe Arena tomororw. You can get 7/1 on David Clarkson to be the first goalscorer, or 33/1 on Eliot Richards to score in both halves. Bristol Rovers will benefit as you bet throughout the season, so make sure you open your Sky Bet account via www.skybet.com/bristolrovers Join the £5 Free Bet Club you get a FREE £5 BET every week - Place a £5 accumulator on any sport with combined odds of 5/1 or more before midnight Sunday. Your £5 free bet will then be credited by 7pm Monday for you to use on any sport.
whats the chances of this game being the game to break our poor record of not being able to win after going behind since the last time did it here at morecambe!!
I'm hoping you win, I like it when you lot get excited and tell us you're going to win the league ala Barca style and it goes tits up. Chrissy gets pissy, Gas gets obnoxious and the rest of you hide
team line up: Mildenhall, Smith, Parkes, Lockyer, Brown, Clarkson, Clarke, Norburn, O'Toole, Richards, Harrold
