The two teams will be looking to win back-to-back games on Saturday when Morecambe hosts Wrexham in League Two. Midweek saw Morecambe overcome Crawley Town 1-0, and last weekend saw Wrexham thrash Accrington Stanley 4-0 to take third place in the table.
With six straight victories in the league and just two losses in their previous 12 games, Morecambe has rekindled their chances of earning a playoff spot and making an immediate return to League One.
They could even push themselves into the conversation for automatic promotion if they can pull off a little upset against Wrexham on Saturday, as a win would place them six points behind the Red Dragons.
Last weekend, Morecambe defeated Crewe Alexandra, who were automatic promotion candidates, thanks to late goals from Joe Adams, Jordan Slew, and Farrend Rawson. Ged Brannan’s team shown incredible perseverance and skill in pulling off the remarkable comeback. Slew was once more listed on the scoresheet on
The only thing separating Morecambe from the playoff slots before a ball is kicked this weekend is a goal differential; in-form Walsall are now ahead of them in seventh place. In all likelihood, Brannan’s goal will be to finish sixth or seventh, and they could be happy just to avoid losing to their richer rivals on Saturday.
In fact, even though Wrexham won the National League last season and were only able to rejoin the Football League for the first time since 2007–08, Phil Parkinson’s team was always going to be a strong contender for consecutive promotions.
Wrexham has won 13 of their 17 league games at the Racecourse Ground this season, and their home record has been the cornerstone of their quick adjustment to playing at a higher level.
Within the first thirty-five minutes, classy forward Paul Mullin scored a hat-trick. Elliot Lee then added a fourth goal without answer before the referee blew for halftime. The visitors were second best throughout, and Lewis Shipley’s straight red card in second half injury time summed up their collective annoyance.
Parkinson’s team, on the other hand, has not been as successful on their travels, taking home just eight points from their last ten away games. In order to maintain their automatic promotion slot, Parkinson will be demanding better play against their in-form opponents on Saturday. They haven’t been able to maintain a clean sheet away from home since defeating Swindon Town 1-0 on Boxing Day.
Against Crawley in the middle of the week, Brannan changed from a back five to a back four, benching Chris Stokes and Gwion Edwards. The 52-year-old can struggle with whether to stick with this lineup in front of the team’s home supporters or switch to a more defensive lineup when playing elite opponents.
Slew will be anticipating to start in attack after scoring from the bench in the last two games, therefore Gerard Garner’s spot in the starting XI might be in jeopardy.
In the meantime, Wrexham has had a week to recuperate and get ready for this game. Therefore, it would be unexpected if Parkinson made any adjustments following his team’s crushing of Accrington in the previous game.
Ben Tozer, Luke Young, and former Scotland striker Steven Fletcher would therefore have to make do with being deployed as substitutes once more, with Mullin and Ollie Palmer continuing to work in unison up front.
Morecambe possible starting lineup:
Mair; Senior, Rawson, Bedeau, Melbourne; Khumbeni, Songo’o; Edwards, Adams, Brown; Slew
Wrexham possible starting lineup:
Okonkwo; Barnett, Cleworth, O’Connell, Boyle, Mendy; Lee, Cannon, McClean; Palmer, Mullin
