Preview: Morecambe (H)

Magpies host Shrimps looking to make it six unbeaten

9 September 2017

Notts County host Morecambe this weekend looking to cement their place in the top seven of the Sky Bet League Two table.

The Magpies are currently on a five-game unbeaten run and avoiding defeat against the Shrimps would not only secure their best run of form under Kevin Nolan, but their best for almost three years.

Morecambe, often fast starters in the league, have begun this campaign slowly with just one win to their name - a 2-1 victory over Cheltenham Town on the opening day.

But, having done the double over Notts last season, they will come to Meadow Lane with high hopes of grabbing another three points.

Notts boss Kevin Nolan says...

"They've had two good away draws in the last couple of games and they put us to the sword twice last year, playing really well on both occasions.

"You can never take anyone for granted. This is going to be a tough game. We've got a returning Adam Campbell who's going to want to prove himself and Kevin Ellison is a nuisance all game.

"We're not in for an easy ride. We're going to have to be patient."

Click here for more from the manager.

Team news

Nolan said he has no injury worries, with Nicky Hunt and Shaun Brisley recovering from knocks sustained in last weekend's 1-0 win at Port Vale to take full part in training this week.

Former Notts striker Vadaine Oliver is suspended for the Shrimps following his red card against Accrington last weekend but Adam Campbell and Garry Thompson could be in line to start on their returns to Meadow Lane.

Dangerman

At the age of 38, Kevin Ellison is no spring chicken but the winger remains as effervescent as ever as he enters his seventh season at the Globe Arena.

The former Tranmere man has racked up close to 300 appearances for the Shrimps and remains an invaluable part of Jim Bentley's squad.

A wily veteran, Ellison is known for enjoying some friendly banter with opposition players and fans, usually coming out on top by getting on the scoresheet.

Finally off the mark for 2017-18 with a goal against local rivals Accrington Stanley last weekend, the winger will now hope to push on and reach double figures for the fifth time in Morecambe colours.

We've met before

Notts have picked up just one point from the last four meetings between the sides since their relegation to League Two in 201Last season saw the Shrimps come away from Meadow Lane with a 2-1 win thanks to Tom Barkhuizen's brace before they hammered the Magpies 4-1 at the Globe Arena in the return fixture.

Notts' last home win against the Lancashire side was also a 4-1 triumph back in April 2010 which secured promotion from League Two for a team which would go on to lift the title.

What are the odds?

Sky Bet have priced Notts up as 4/6 odds-on favourites to pick up a fourth straight win with the visitors seen as big outsiders at 4/1 and the draw at 11/4.

The Magpies have scored twice in all three of their home games so far this season and can be backed at 8/13 to score two or more again against the Shrimps.

Notts winning to-nil is 7/4, while the Magpies winning with both teams scoring is available at 9/4.

The last six meetings between the sides have seen both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals - you can get 6/5 for it to happen again.

In the first goalscorer markets, Jorge Grant is available at odds of 13/2, Terry Hawkridge 8/1 and Richard Duffy 28/1.

You can bet on the game here.

Supporters who sign up to Sky Bet using this link can help the club financially.

Match Reports

Notts 2-0 Morecambe

Jones and Forte win the day

9 September 2017

Notts County made it six matches unbeaten with a convincing 2-0 victory against Morecambe at Meadow Lane.

Dan Jones opened the scoring with a superb free-kick - his first goal for the club - and substitute Jonathan Forte made the points safe deep into the second half.

Kevin Nolan named an unchanged side following last weekend's 1-0 win at Port Vale.

That meant defenders Shaun Brisley and Nicky Hunt had sufficiently recovered from knocks sustained at Vale Park to face the Shrimps.

Notts nearly had the dream start when Shola Ameobi met Dan Jones' inswinging corner with a header, guiding the ball inches wide.

It was a bright start from the home side, who saw Jorge Grant crowded out when well placed before Jon Stead came within inches of turning home Terry Hawkridge's cross.

Ameobi saw his long-range curling effort palmed away by Morecambe keeper Barry Roche, who was making his 500th EFL appearance, before Hawkridge saw a shot blocked by a defender.

Despite Notts' domincance, it could - and probably should - have been 1-0 to the visitors on 25 minutes when Steven Old found himself space to head the ball goalwards from a corner. The ball flew straight at Adam Collin.

And, a minute after that golden opportunity went begging, Notts made the Shrimps pay. Ameobi won a free-kick just outside the 'D' and Jones curled the ball precisely over the wall and into the top corner for his first Notts goal.

Stead almost made it two when he turned a defender and curled the ball inches wide, moments before a hobbling Ameobi made way for Jonathan Forte.

1-0 was how it stayed going into the interval and there were no further Notts changes at the break.

The first chance of the second half fell to Morecambe defender Old, whose header from the drilled cross of former Magpie Adam Campbell was hacked away by Jones.

Stead turned Forte's cross over the bar by way of response, before Elliott Hewitt entered the book for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The game was still delicately poised but Brisley nearly doubled Notts' lead when his header from a corner landed on the roof of the net with 66 minutes on the clock.

Another former Notts man, Garry Thompson, skewed an effort wide on the turn before Nolan made his second change, sending Milsom on in place of Hunt. Hewitt moved to right back.

Stead sent two curling efforts over the bar as Notts continued their hunt for the all-important next goal.

And there were strong appeals for a penalty with seven minutes to play when a bouncing ball appeared to hit a Morecambe hand in the area. The referee waved play on and Notts did just that, keeping up their pressure and seeing a Jones cross-cum-shot roll inches wide of the far post.

That wasn't to matter, however, as the Magpies added a deserved second goal shortly afterwards. Forte was the man of the moment, racing on to a through ball and sliding it into the far corner with a precise left-footed effort.

Grant had a chance to make it three with a free-kick from the edge of the area but could only curl the ball over. That proved to be the midfielder's final contribution as he made way for Lewis Alessandra shortly before five added minutes were indicated.

It had been a quiet day's work for Collin until that moment but the keeper had to make saves from Thompson and Elliot Osborne to secure his second successive clean sheet and another good win for the Magpies.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Tickets: Morecambe (H)

Season ticket holders can bring a friend or family member free of charge

5 September 2017

Tickets for Notts County's Sky Bet League Two match against Morecambe on Saturday 9 September (3pm) are on general sale.

	Derek Pavis Stand	Kop Stand	Haydn Green Family Stand
Adult	£20	£20	£20
Senior (60+)	£14	£14	£14
Young adult (18-21)	£14	£14	£14
Under 18 (16-17)	£7	£7	£7
Under 16 (12-15)	£5	£5	£5
Under 12 (7-11)	£1	£1	£1
Under 7†	Free	Free	Free

†Under 7s' tickets cannot be claimed online.

Season ticket holders: Bring a friend for free!

This is the first of 10 fixtures to which season ticket holders can bring a friend or family member free of charge.

Supporters can exchange their Bring a Friend voucher for a match ticket at the club shop.

Click here for more information.

Families

Try out Notts' Skills School and meet creepy crawlies and furry critters at the Wildlife Workshop in the Family Stand!

All activities are included in the price of your ticket. Click here for more information on the newly redecorated Family Stand.

How to buy

Tickets can be purchased online to be printed at home/scanned at the turnstile by clicking here. More information on buying tickets online can be found here.

Alternatively, visit the Meadow Lane ticket office or call 0115 955 7210.

Hospitality

To enquire about hospitality for this fixture, please email kirsty.edwards@nottscountyfc.co.uk or call 0115 955 7222.

Notts County Football Club

Standings

Preview: Morecambe (H)

Notts 2-0 Morecambe

Tickets: Morecambe (H)