Preview: Morecambe vs Exeter City

City embark on their second trip to the north west in a matter of days having considered themselves slightly unlucky not to have picked up three points at Oldham, especially after a close call for offside ruled out an injury time winner. Matt Taylor jazzed things up with a switch to a back three and attacking wingbacks in Jack Sparkes and debutant Jayden Richardson. It’s thought the reshuffle was partly brought about by Jake Taylor and Randell Williams being only fit enough for the bench, and as a result Taylor may revert back to a back four on Saturday. In contention for a return is Tom Parkes, back from suspension.

Tipped perennially to struggle as one of the “have nots” of the division, Morecambe under the stewardship of the longest serving manager in the top four divisions, Jim Bentley, continue to confound the pundits and, thanks to a win at fellow relegation candidates Macclesfield on Tuesday night, sit 17th and are unbeaten since an opening day reverse against Grimsby. Bentley was busy during the summer, recruiting players such as John O’Sullivan and ex-Plymouth forward Lewis Alessandra, while the likes of Kevin Ellison and Barry Roche continue to star despite being well past the Football equivalent of pensionable age.

City made the long trip up to Morecambe in August last season, and won 2-0 thanks to Sweeney (pen) and Stockley. The return won’t live long in the memory as a match of few chances finished 0-0. City have a healthy league head to head lead with ten wins to Morecambe’s four, but with 11 draws it may be worth putting an X in your coupon for this one. Match reports of those 25 games can be found at https://www.grecians.co.uk/wordpress/?p=9082

The match officials for this game are:-

Referee: Tom Nield
Assistant Referees: Peter Gooch and Wade Smith
Fourth Official: Aaron Bannister

Just the two games for Tom in charge of Exeter, details at https://www.grecians.co.uk/wordpress/?s=nield