Morecambe face Merthyr Town in the FA Cup this Saturday, 24 October, with kick-off at 3pm. The fixture comes as the Shrimps aim to arrest a dip in form that has seen them lose their last two National League North matches.
They are 10 points behind leaders Macclesfield and have a goal difference of plus four, having scored 15 and conceded 11 this season. Their most recent outing was a 2-1 away defeat to AFC Rushden & Diamonds last Saturday, 17 October.
Recent league form
That loss followed a 2-1 reverse at Worksop Town the previous weekend, 10 October. The sequence of results has been mixed, with a 3-0 win over Darlington 1883 on 3 October and a 2-0 victory against Southport on 19 September followed by a 1-1 draw at Oxford City on 26 September. The full recent run reads as two losses, a win, a draw and a win from the last five league games, a form of two wins, one draw and two losses. The team's top scorer in the defeat at Worksop Town was M. Daly, who netted in the 66th minute.
Cup context
Saturday's cup tie offers a break from league concerns. Their opponents, Merthyr Town, are currently 15th in the National League North standings. The Martyrs' own recent results include a draw and a loss against Truro City last month. Morecambe will view this as a winnable tie to build momentum.
The club's full upcoming schedule, including the next league fixture after the cup, is available on the fixtures page. The squad will travel to Wales looking to secure a place in the next round and provide a positive response to recent setbacks.
Manager Adam Lakeland apologised to the 350 Morecambe fans who travelled to the FA Cup defeat at AFC Rushden & Diamonds. He told the club's media, "I want to apologise to our supporters who have travelled." Lakeland also hinted at considering his future, stating, "I am saying the same things, and getting the same outcome, so maybe I am the problem." The loss, which saw the side exit the cup, came amid a run of two consecutive defeats.
