Exeter City make the mammoth 12-hour return journey to the Globe Arena to face Morecambe this weekend in the first away match of the 2018/19 season.
The Grecians will be looking to build on the opening day 3-1 victory at St James Park against Carlisle United, where there were debut goals for Nicky Law, Jonathan Forte and Tristan Abrahams.
The Shrimps go into the match on the back of a heavy 6-0 defeat against Crewe Alexandra on the opening day at Gresty Road...
About Morecambe
- Founded: 1920
- Stadium: Globe Arena
- Nickname: The Shrimps
The Shrimps were formed in 1920 and would share grounds with the Cricket Club at Wood Hill Lane during their first season.
Morecambe have a vast experience of non-league football, spending up until the 2007-8 season in the non-league. Morecambe's first step into the football league, was at the expense of Exeter City, beating the Grecians in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium in May 2007. Exeter scored first through Lee Phillips but two quick-fire goals saw Morecambe win the final and move into the Football League.
Morecambe's first couple of years in League Two were a huge success, with the team finishing in 11th place. They went one better in the 09/10 season, finishing in fourth, but loosing out 7-2 on aggregate to Dagenham and Redbridge. Since then Morcambe have remained a League Two side, and avoided relegation on the final day of the 2017/18 season thanks to a goalless draw with Coventry City.
The Manager:
Jim Bentley
Now the longest serving manager in the top four tiers of English football, Jim was appointed player-manager of Morecambe in 2011 after spending most of his career as a defender for the club.
Jim's time in charge has been a challenging one with the Shrimps fighting to preserve their EFL status amid a variety off-field issues. He managed to keep Morecambe up last season on the final day, drawing 0-0 with Coventry City.
Ones to watch:
Kevin Ellison
The experienced wideman is a constant threat, notching ten goals already this season, with a variety of strikes that would make any highlight reel. 39 year old Kevin joined Morecambe back in 2011. He has made over 300 appearances for Morecambe scoring over 75 goals.
Barry Roach
Barry Roche spent time at Leeds United, Nottingham Forrest and Chesterfield before signing for Morecambe at the start of the 2008/09 season.
The impressive shot-stopper has since gone on to make over 400 appearances for Morecambe and is a fans favourite and ever-present in the line-up.
2017/18 Season in Review:
The 2017/18 season was Morecambe's 11th in a row in EFL Sky Bet League Two, with the club finishing in 22nd place and avoiding the drop on goal difference.
Morecambe had made a strong start to the season, beating Cheltenham Town 2-1 at home on the opening day of the season, before picking up a good point away at Lincoln City. That was followed by a run of six matches without a win, until beating Newport at home on September 16.
Since then wins were hard to come by and their season went down to the final weekend, where a 0-0 draw with Coventry City was enough to keep the Shrimps up on goal difference and see Barnet relegated to the National League.
Last time out:
Exeter City fell to their first defeat in four games in blustery conditions at Morecambe in March 2018.
The Grecians, with the wind in their favour first half, started the match brightly and were deservedly in front when Pierce Sweeney found the bottom corner. However, they conceded a soft goal from a corner shortly after and then Michael Rose hit an effort home in the closing stages of the second half to give Jim Bentley's side a much-needed three points in their battle against the drop.
Tickets:
The match at the Globe Arena is pay-on-the-day for Grecian supporters. Click here to find out more.
Grecian travel is available. Click here for the details.