Thomas brace secures all three points for Morecambe at Brackley in National League

Morecambe secured their first back to back victories of the season after overcoming Brackley Town in the National League.

Morecambe made three changes to the side that started in the win over Gateshead in the FA Trophy, with fit again Jamal Blackman returning in goal, Maldini Kacurri coming into the centre of defence and Arjan Rahiky preferred in midfield.

Click here for reaction to the game from manager Ashvir Singh Johal.

Here’s the full press post match with Morecambe manager Ash Johal after the Shrimps beat Brackley away 2-0 in the National League, to record their first back to back victories of the season (other one in the FA Trophy).#UTS 🦐 | #BRAvMOR | @BeyondRadio | https://t.co/gTf2Oz39zj pic.twitter.com/nxVWfNFhdh

— Dave Salmon (@dpsalmon) December 21, 2025

It was the hosts with an early chance, as Matt Lowe sent a diving header wide of target, before Rolando Aarons had a good effort blocked for a corner.

Brackley then had two further good chances to open the scoring, with Shane Byrne’s header flying over the bar from a corner, before Michael Nottingham almost capitalised on confusion on the edge of the Morecambe box, but his lob also failed to find the target.

The Shrimps struck first in the 31^st minute, with their first effort on target.

Jack Nolan’s right wing cross was headed towards goal by Aarons, and as goalkeeper Cam Gregory went to collect, he collided with a teammate, spilling the ball to allow George Thomas to put the ball into the empty net.

Brackley had two guilt edged opportunities to equalise at the start of the second half.

Firstly, a cross found Scott Pollock six yards out, but he blasted a volley over the bar, before moments later a Kyle Morrison header hit the post and rolled across the goalline before being hacked clear by the Shrimps’ defence.

After the scare Morecambe rallied and Lewis Payne found himself on the end of the pass from Azeez, forcing Gregory into a strong save from a low drive.

Then, in the 67th minute the Shrimps doubled their lead with a break away move, starting with Jack Nolan, who found Miguel Azeez, who then switched the play into the path of Ben Tollitt, who slipped in George Thomas for a tap in.

Brackley Town thought they pulled one back deep into the second half, but a fantastic stop from Jamal Blackman denied substitute Danny Newton when clean through.

The win moves Morecambe to 21^st in the National League table, still inside the relegation zone on goal difference.

Brackley Town: Gregory, Lyttle, Calder, Price (Newton 57'), Morrison, Dean, Pollock (Brown 82'), Roberts (Hall 82'), Lowe, Nottingham, Byrne

Subs Not Used: Maxted, Pendleton, Murombedzi, Woodskou.

Morecambe FC: Blackman, Payne (Francillette 60'), Conte (Sangare 60'), Kacurri, Azeez, Aarons (Dixon-Bonner 79'), Sesay (C), Tollitt, Thomas, Raikhy (Sutton 79'), Nolan (Campbell 90+6').

Subs Not Used: Boney, Panayiotou.

Attendance: 1055 (154 Away)