Shrimps prepare for Lancashire derby at the Mazuma

It’s a Lancashire derby in League One for Morecambe this weekend, as Fleetwood Town visit the Mazuma Stadium in League One.

The Shrimps, boosted by their victory over Stoke City in the League Cup on Tuesday, will be looking for their first league win of the season, having picked up an opening day draw and a defeat in their two games so far.

Morecambe will be without midfielder Jensen Weir, who is suspended following his red card against the Potters in midweek, but defender Jacob Bedeau, signed on a permanent deal from Burnley this week, is available to be part of the squad.

Scott Brown’s men have won their last two games in league and cup against Plymouth Argyle and Wigan Athletic respectively, and manager Derek Adams admits it will be a tough game for his side.

“We’re looking forward to the game because it’s a local derby and Fleetwood have come off a win against Wigan and that’s a great victory for them,’’ he said.

‘’They obviously beat Argyle last week so we know how difficult a task it is.

“They’ve got some really good players, they’ve strengthened their team in the summer, they’ve got a new manager.

“They play in a way which can be expansive at times. They push the full-backs forward so we understand that and we have to deal with that threat, but in that we always know from our players that we’ve got a threat going forward as well and can punish teams.”

Last season’s encounters between the two sides will be best remembered for Cole Stockton’s winning goal from inside his own half to give the Shrimps a dramatic 2-1 victory at Highbury, while the sides played out a goalless draw at the Mazuma in the return fixture.

Fleetwood Town Head Coach, Scott Brown, said: “It’s going to be a tough match; they got a great result in midweek against Stoke but we’ve played against Stoke so we know what a quality side they are - we are looking forward to the occasion. Morecambe are a side who have swapped and changed formations, but for me, it’s all about us and how we prepare, how we turn up on the day, and how we prepare ahead of the game.

“Cole [Stockton]’s a great player and it’s going to be tough to play against him at the weekend. We’ve watched a lot of him, especially in the last week as well building up to this game so, for us, it’s about us going forward and concentrating on ourselves. He scored almost half of their goals last season so, as I say, he’s a fantastic player.

“It’s a given that you work as hard as you can, especially in a derby match for 90 minutes. If we do that, hopefully, it all pays off with what we’ve done in training and how the lads have worked. I know Derek Adams. He had a wonderful career and is doing a great job at Morecambe but for me, it’s all about us and how we prepare.”

Another bumper crowd is expected at the Mazuma Stadium for the local derby, and as usual, there will be full match commentary of the game on Shrimps Live.

Join us on 103.5FM, 107.5FM, and DAB+ from 2:45pm tomorrow (August 13).