MATCH PREVIEW: Morecambe vs. Latics

15 September 2020

Harry Kewell’s side travel to Morecambe in search of a place in the third round of the Carabao Cup (7:45pm KO).

If Latics should win at the Globe Arena, they would host either Newcastle United or Blackburn Rovers at Boundary Park in the next round of the competition.

If tonight's match is all square at the end of the 90 minutes then the game will go straight to a penalty shootout.

The hosts go into the game on the back of an impressive 2-1 win over Cheltenham Town with Carlos Mendes Gomes ensuring maximum points with his winning goal in the 92nd minute.

On the other hand, Oldham will be looking to bounce back quickly from an opening day defeat in Sky Bet League Two at the hands of Leyton Orient.

Head-to-Head

Latics have won three of the five games to have been played between these two clubs, this includes last season when Oldham did the double over the Shrimps.

At Boundary Park, goals from Mohammed Maouche, Desire Segbe-Azankpo and Jonny Smith secured a 3-1 one.

Whilst in the reverse fixture, Segbe-Azankpo and Mohamad Sylla struck to ensure three points in the boxing day clash.

Cup Runs

The Shrimps made it into the Second Round of the Carabao Cup after beating fellow League Two side Grimsby on penalties.

The score was 1-1 after 90 minutes with Adam Phillips on the scoresheet for Morecambe before it was decided from the spot with John O’Sullivan hitting home the winning penalty.

Latics had a more convincing route to round two, beating Carlisle United by three goals to nil.

Watch Out For

The player on loan from Burnley, Adam Phillips has enjoyed a strong start to the season, netting two goals already this campaign.

He scored against Grimsby in the Carabao Cup and then put his side level from the spot against Cheltenham Town in Sky Bet League Two.

This is Phillips’ second loan with the Shrimps. He initially arrived at the Globe Arena on loan from Burnley in January 2020 and he had an impressive impact before the season was finished early.

In his 11 league games with the club, he has chipped in with four goals and three assists.

Phillips will be hoping to carry that impressive form into 2020/21.

Stadium

Morecambe play at the Globe Arena.

Morecambe - Globe Arena 1.jpg

Also known as the Mazuma Stadium for sponsorship reasons, the ground holds 6,476 people and was opened in 2010.

It boasts a record attendance of 5,375 for a game between Morecambe and Newcastle United in the second round of the League Cup in 2013.

In The Dugout

In the home dugout is Derek Adams.

Adams took over the reins at the Globe Arena in November 2019 after the long-serving Jim Bentley departed the club for AFC Fylde.

He has also managed Ross County and Plymouth Argyle. At just 33 years-old, Adams did the impressive feat of leading Ross County to the Scottish Cup Final beating Celtic and Hibernian on the way.

Match Officials

Referee - Ben Toner
Assistant Referees - Joe Simpson and Gary Hilton
Fourth Official - Richard Bartlett

Ben Toner last officiated a Latics game on Saturday 1 February 2020 in a 3-0 win against Bradford City at Boundary Park.

Last season, Toner officiated 28 games, brandishing 93 yellow cards and five red cards.

Ben Toner.jpg

Sky Bet Odds

The Shrimps are priced at 6/4 for this cup clash in 90 minutes and 4/5 to qualify for the next round.

For the game to end level like Morecambe’s last cup game the odds are 23/10.

Latics won both games against their opposition last season and are 13/8 to do the same this time around whilst 10/11 to qualify.

Please gamble responsibly, for more information visit: www.begambleaware.org.

How To Follow The Game

Because the game is classed as behind-closed-doors, supporters can tune into live audio with commentary available worldwide, whilst people in the UK can obtain a Match Pass for £10 on iFollow Latics, with Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown talking you through the action.

Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.

Match Reports

Morecambe 1-0 Latics

15 September 2020

Latics were left frustrated as Aaron Wildig’s first-half goal proved to be enough to see Morecambe progress to the third round of the Carabao Cup.

The game started in a high-tempo manner, but initially failed to create any clear-cut chances. The most notable moment inside the first 15 minutes saw left-back Stephen Hendrie produce a fantastic last-ditch tackle to deny Dylan Fage from racing through on goal.

However, with 22 minutes on the clock, the game came to life as John O’Sullivan intercepted a long pass on the right-wing and proceeded to drive inside. The winger had the vision to play a perfectly weighted ball to Wildig, which meant he was one on one, and he kept his cool and chipped his effort over Ian Lawlor.

Oldham debutant Andrea Badan showed a bit of attacking intent when he dribbled past two defenders inside the 18-yard box before unleashing low strike at goal, but it went just past the far post.

Derek Adams’ side nearly doubled their advantage just before the interval as right-back Ryan Cooney found space around 30-yards from goal and the Burnley loanee tried his luck seeing his powerful strike cannon back off the crossbar.

Liam McAlinden nearly managed to get himself on the scoresheet early in the second-half when he received the ball on the edge of the area with his back to goal. The striker somehow found space to turn and strike goalwards, but his attempt went agonisingly wide of the target.

Shortly after, Tom Hamer produced a positive spark as he dribbled up the pitch, beating numerous defenders, before slotting Fage down the right-wing. He managed delivered a low cross into a dangerous area which was met by the onrushing Cooney who came close to putting it into his own net, but just about cleared it for a corner.

The Shrimps should’ve extended their lead in the 67th minute as McAlinden flicked on a long ball into the path of substitute Adam Phillips who was in acres of space, but the midfielder snatched at his chance as blasted past Lawlor’s near post when he probably should’ve scored.

In added time, Harry Kewell’s side came close to finding an equaliser when Carl Pierganni leapt highest from a corner and powerfully headed at goal but the central defender saw his effort go centimetres over.

Morecambe XI – Halstead, Hendrie, Lavelle ©, Davis, Slew, Wildig (Diagouraga 66’), Mendes Gomes (Phillips 66’), Kenyon (Pringle 66’), O’Sullivan, McAlinden, Cooney.

Subs – Turner, Mellor, Knight-Percival, Price.

Goal: Wildig 22’

Oldham Athletic XI – Lawlor, Hamer, Jombati, Piergianni ©, Borthwick-Jackson, Garrity (Rowe 83’), Whelan, Fage (Grant 66’), Badan (Keillor-Dunn 66’), McAleny, Dearnley.

Subs – Woods, Barnett, Hough, Da Silva, Rowe.

Referee – Ben Toner