Next Up: Morecambe vs Exeter City – revisited

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The euphoria from a stunning performance even if it was largely against Liverpool’s U8 reserve side will need to die down quickly as City face the first of three away trips in a week on Tuesday night for the rearranged visit to Morecambe. Christian Ribeiro and David Noble both made welcome returns to the starting line-up for the Liverpool match and will look to keep their places although the thought of another heavy pitch so soon after their previous match may cause Paul Tisdale to rotate his side which could mean starts for Arron Davies and Matt Oakley. Tom Nichols was for one night the talk of Football with his goal and effervescent display up front and he will look to continue his return to form in the north west. Tuesday night may be too soon for David Wheeler to return, he will probably look ahead another week to the replay for his comeback.

Morecambe go into Tuesday night’s match having enjoyed something of a rest since their stunning 2-0 win at the anti-Football mob just off the M40 last weekend, which was only their second win in the league since late October and sent the Shrimps above City in the table. The horrendous weather conditions in the north west have meant Jim Bentley’s side haven’t played in front of their own supporters since December 1st when they beat Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0, so despite the prevailing weather the club will be doing all it can to get the game on even if it means City playing again on a bog of a pitch. Shaun Miller, who scored at Wycombe, is the main goal threat as he heads the goalscoring chart with nine in all competitions, but the Shrimps have goals all over their side – it’s just keeping them out at the other end which has proved problematic, having conceded four goals five times so far this season – so expect a 0-0.

Last season was a profitable one for City in this fixture, the Grecians taking four points thanks to a 2-0 win at the Globe “Arena” (Beeley OG, Nichols) before a 1-1 draw at the Park where Morecambe went ahead through McGowan before Alex Nicholls equalised, Tom Nichols seeing red late on for a petulant kick out. City enjoy a head-to-head lead although the draw is the best bet – six wins to Morecambe’s three, but with eight fixtures ending in draws.

Match officials – http://www.exeweb.com/2016/01/11/match-officials-morecambe-vs-exeter-city/