Adam Lakeland has called for an immediate response from Morecambe after their winning run was halted in midweek. The Shrimps host Brackley Town at the Halo Aerospace Stadium today looking to restore momentum after a 2-1 defeat at Southport on Tuesday ended a sequence of three consecutive victories.
Lakeland, writing in the matchday programme, acknowledged the frustration of the Southport result but insisted the focus must now shift forward. "We can’t change what happened on Tuesday," he said. "We learn from it, dust ourselves down and go again."
The loss was a harsh one, with Eli Newby's 81st-minute equaliser quickly cancelled out by a Southport winner just three minutes later. That result leaves Morecambe 10th in the National League North table, having taken 13 points from their opening nine matches. Their recent form, however, shows four wins from their last five games, a record they will be keen to build on.
Today's opponents, Brackley, managed by Andy Whing, were beaten 3-0 by Morecambe just last week. Goals from Newby, an own goal, and Will Smith secured that comfortable victory, a performance Lakeland highlighted as a benchmark. "We played with real intensity and purpose and, importantly, showed a ruthless side to our game," he said of that 4-0 win over Buxton which preceded the Brackley match.
With no league fixture for a fortnight after today, securing a positive result is seen as important for maintaining rhythm. The break is due to the FA Cup, where Morecambe will face Southport again next weekend in a quick chance for redemption.
The squad will then travel to face high-flying Oxford City, who are second in the table, on September 26th.
This story first appeared at morecambefc.com
