Morecambe suffered a 1-0 pre-season defeat to Cheadle Town on Tuesday, but manager Adam Lakeland remained optimistic about the learning experience for his young squad. The Shrimps, who finished 22nd in the National League last season with 38 points (9W-11D-26L), are rebuilding ahead of the new campaign after a tough 2025-26 season that saw them lose their last five matches (LLLLL) and concede 103 goals (66 scored, -37 goal difference).
What happened in the match?
Morecambe, fielding a youthful side with three trialists, struggled to create clear chances against the Midland League outfit. Cheadle’s Kylan Depeiaza scored the decisive goal in the 83rd minute after Myles Boney’s save looped up for an easy tap-in. The Shrimps nearly equalized late on when Max Oldfield’s shot hit the post, but the deficit remained.
Why Lakeland stayed positive
Lakeland praised the young players’ effort despite the loss, noting the challenges of fielding an inexperienced lineup. “Loads of positives really,” he said. “These lads haven’t got those relationships and understanding yet, which makes it difficult. The surface was bobbly too, but we’ve learned a lot.” The team’s recent form-including a 5-0 loss to Forest Green on April 25, 2026-highlights the need for improvement, but Lakeland sees progress in pre-season.
What’s next for Morecambe?
The Shrimps’ final pre-season test comes this Saturday at Bury, where they’ll aim to build momentum before the National League North opener. With a goal difference of -37 last season and 70 points behind leaders York, Morecambe faces a tough challenge but is focused on development under Lakeland’s leadership.
