The mystery of City’s home form continues – if you’re bottom of the league, feel free to win, but woe betide if you’re top! Three of City’s four home wins in 2014 have been against the side at the top of the table, meaning Paul Tisdale’s side head to Morecambe in buoyant mood even if they are forced to sacrifice the traditional Sunday roast on account of Morecambe’s absurd request (refused by City but morecambe_directionsaccepted by the Football League) to play the match at 1pm on Sunday. Liam Sercombe missed the stunning win over Wycombe having limped off near the end of his comeback at Southend, and is unlikely to be risked again lest he further aggravate his injury, while with David Wheeler still nursing a mystery knock that saw him visit a specialist recently it may be that two starts in five days might be too much for him, meaning David Noble may come into the side for his first start since returning to the club. Another alternative may be to give Tom Nichols a start alongside Graham Cummins.

Morecambe have become accustomed to making decent starts, and this season has been no differentmorecambe_thumb for Jim Bentley’s side with the Shrimps currently sitting in 7th prior to the weekend’s games. However, it has been over a month since their last home win, and only a 90th minute equaliser saved them from their third successive home defeat against York on Tuesday. As always burly striker Kevin Ellison will be the key striker to watch as he tops the Shrimps’ scoring charts with six, while four-goal Jack Redshaw is likely to feature off the bench as he battles shin splints. Bentley moved last week to sign Tom Barkhuizen on loan from Blackpool but he has only featured from the bench so far.

There is expected to be plenty of needle around this fixture, not just because City were upset at the kick off change but because of events at the end of the last meeting between the sides at the Park in February. With the score at 1-1, City thought they had earned a penalty after David Wheeler was fouled in the box, wheeler_featindeed referee Andy D’Urso had given the penalty. However, under intense pressure from the Morecambe players the linesman belatedly persuaded D’Urso to overturn the decision, and in the ensuing melee Jamie Devitt was sent off for violent conduct against Wheeler, who picked up a yellow card for simulation. The match finished 1-1 (Nichols for City, Amond for Morecambe). Devitt, incidentally, would have been suspended for Sunday’s fixture after a red card against Wycombe but the card was rescinded on appeal. Back in August the reverse fixture was more straightforward, Morecambe winning 2-0 through a double for Ellison. City hold the overall head-to-head with 5 wins to Morecambe’s 3 (7 draws).

Last season’s fixture – http://www.grecians.co.uk/wordpress/?tb_match=281

Match Officials – http://www.exeweb.com/2014/10/24/match-officials-morecambe-v-exeter-city/

Ground Guide to Globe Arena – http://www.exeweb.com/2012/08/03/the-things-you-need-to-know-globe-arena-morecambe/

 

By Jason H

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