The Shots are back on the road this weekend as they make the long trip up to Lancashire, taking on relegation candidates Morecambe in the Enterprise National League. The game will be a golden opportunity to end the poor run of results faced by John Coleman’s side and turn it around for the remainder of the season.
Established in 1920, Morecambe are one of three seaside teams to compete in the Enterprise National League, alongside Southend and Hartlepool. The club’s watery connection earned them the title of ‘The Shrimps’, a tribute to the town’s longstanding history in shrimp fishing and local delicacy.
The Shrimps’ journey through the football leagues began in the Lancashire Combination League, which was later reformed into the Northern Premier Division. Following a promotion in 1995, they competed in the National League for the first time in their history and 11 years later gained entry to the EFL via a play-off triumph. Since then, Morecambe have been reinstated into the Enterprise National League setup after an 18 year stint within the EFL. They now risk a second consecutive relegation as they sit 23rd and 6 points from safety.
RECENT FORM
Despite sitting at the bottom end of the table, the Shrimps have picked up a few points of late and are the most in-form side in the bottom four. There have been some emphatic games for the club including a 5-0 victory over Sutton earlier this month as well as a 4-4 thriller away at Gateshead. Saturday’s opponents do not shy away from goals at both ends and have scored 57 this season, 10 more than everyone else in the bottom 8 aside from the Shots. However with 81 goals conceded, the approach of trying to out-gun their opponents every week may come back to bite them by the season’s end.
21st Mar – Yeovil 3 – 2 Morecambe
14th Mar – Morecambe 1 – 1 Braintree
7th Mar – Sutton 0 – 5 Morecambe
3rd Mar – Wealdstone 2 – 3 Morecambe
28th Feb – Morecambe 0 – 1 York
25th Feb – Gateshead 4 – 4 Morecambe
PREVIOUS MEETINGS AND REVERSE FIXTURE
In total, the Shots have faced off against Morecambe on 19 occasions, including 5 victories, 5 draws and 9 defeats. Aside from the reverse fixture in August, the two sides had not played each other since 2013, so this is a matchup that may still need the old cobwebs dusted off. Goals have been less frequent over the years, with only 6 games seeing a scoreline where three or more were scored.
Last time out, the Shots secured a statement 4-0 victory at the EBB, one of their highest scoring games of the season. Josh Barrett and Dejan Tetek will be hoping to get back on the scoresheet this time round after both finding the back of the net in the latter stages of the game.
IN THE DUGOUT
Jim Bentley has been the man in charge for the Shrimps since his re-appointment last month on a short term deal. Bentley’s first term with the club lasted 8 years, which at the time made him the longest serving manager in the entire EFL before his resignation in 2019.
The Morecambe man has managed four clubs altogether, including Rochdale and AFC Fylde who were both struggling at the bottom of the league when he was brought in. Bentley’s experience with pulling teams out of trouble alongside his extensive knowledge of the club made him the perfect choice to try and get the Shrimps out of the danger zone.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jack Nolan:
The tricky winger has been a standout performer and a key component behind the unusually high quantity of goals that his side have scored despite sitting near the bottom of the table. With 17 goals this season and an average of a goal every 160 minutes, the former England youth international has not let poor results affect his scoring form. In addition, he has netted in each of his last 5 games including a hat-trick against Sutton earlier this month, so the Shots will need to keep an eye out down the left hand side this Saturday.
Chris Popov:
Since joining on loan from Leicester in January, the centre-forward has bagged 7 goals and 4 assists already, including an important opener against Wealdstone and a hattrick during the 4-4 draw to Gateshead. Popov has hit the ground running, which is not always easy to do in a short loan spell, so the Shots might want to take note of the threat he brings in and around the penalty box.
TICKET INFO
Tickets for the Shots trip to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium can be bought online by clicking HERE.
Ticket prices are as follows:
Adult – £24.00
Concession – £19.00
18 TO 24 – £15.00
Junior (14-17) – £7.00
Child (2-13) – £5.00
PLEASE NOTE there is an additional £2.00 increase on match tickets on the day of the match. This fee is in addition to the prices listed above.
Away support is situated in the Castle Windows seated stand, which can be accessed through turnstiles 3 & 4 and the Dennison Trailers Terrace, which can be accessed through turnstiles 5 to 8. These turnstiles are located to the right as you approach on Christie Way, following the main building round.
Toilets and refreshments are available to travelling support, as well as a dedicated away supporters pub just 5 minutes from the station and a 30 minute walk to the ground (THE ROYAL BAR AND SHAKER, 257 Marine Rd Central, Morecambe LA4 4BJ)
The nearest train station is Morecambe Station, a 23 minute walk from the stadium. There is no on site parking available, however parking at the local school has been allocated for match days. (Westgate Primary School, LA4 4XF). Please Note there is a £5.00 cash only parking charge for travelling support.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT
Live updates will be available from our social media platforms X (@OfficialShots), Instagram (@aldershottownfcofficial), and Facebook. After the game, highlights will be available on our YouTube channel.
The game can be streamed for overseas viewers via DAZN’s National League TV coverage. Click HERE to purchase a match pass.
There will be live commentary of the game provided by BBC Radio Surrey.
