Big Match Preview: Stevenage vs Morecambe

25 October 2019

Our Halloween Spooktacular promises to be a hair-raising affair…

For information on ticketing, parking, opening times, matchday events and everything else, please take a read of our What’s On guide.

Onto the game…

Mark Sampson’s tenure as Interim Stevenage boss has seen his side increase their points per game from 0.43 to 0.75, but still find themselves bottom of the EFL. After victory over Grimsby last time at The Lamex Stadium, two road games at Port Vale and Swindon saw Boro pick up the solitary point – which could have been more if not for a last-minute goal at The County Ground.

Stevenage will look to build on the last result at home with another win on Saturday to take them off the base of the league.

Morecambe will come to SG2 fearless though, after their last away trip to Colchester resulted in an astounding 1-0 win, thanks to a Cole Stockton strike. That win was The Shrimps’ first win in all competitions since August.

However early in the season Saturday’s fixture may be, a win for either side would be the perfect catalyst for a run of form to propel either Mark Sampson or Jim Bentley’s side away from the relegation zone.

One to Watch…

After being sent-off on Tuesday night in the home defeat to Forest Green, Morecambe’s star man Lewis Alessandra will miss Saturday’s game through suspension.

A player not suspended, however, is Cole Stockton. The striker returned to Morecambe in the summer, having played for The Shrimps on loan from Tranmere Rovers in 2016.

Stockton bagged his first goal for Jim Bentley’s side last Saturday at Colchester, with Morecambe fans hoping this will kick start his goal-scoring season.

Officials...

Referee: Kevin Johnson

Assistant Referee 1: Anthony Da Costa

Assistant Referee 2: Garry Maskell

Fourth Official: Paul Yates

View from the Camp...

Mark Sampson believes a win on Saturday will be the perfect remedy to a tought resutl to take on Tuesday.

"We have got a huge opportunity ahead of us. We have got an opportunity to get a home win under our belt, and get ourselves moving in the right direction again.

"Our focus since early Wednesday morning has been how we respond and how we react, using that frustration and anger. We will take that into our performance on Saturday, and have that control, tactical discipline and that huge emotional intensity to bring a big performance Saturday."

"The players are certainly looking forward to it. After you suffer a defeat like we did on Tuesday night, what you want is a game quickly and we have got that Saturday. We have got an opportunity."

Form Guide…

Both of Saturday’s teams have won just once in the last five games, with Stevenage edging the form table by picking up two draws in that run opposed to Morecambe’s one.

With it being a tight affair at the bottom of the league, Stevenage have the advantage of a superior goal difference, having only lost by more than one goal three times this season. Morecambe’s defeats have been heavier on average, having lost by two goals four times, and a 3-0 thumping on one occasion.

Head to Head…

Stevenage boast a positive win record versus Morecambe in all competitions, having played them 40 times since our first meeting them in 1996.

Results have been kind to Stevenage against tomorrow’s opponents in the last two seasons, recording three wins and a draw in the last four meetings.

A last-minute Luke Wilkinson winner at The Globe Arena secured three points and a 2-1 victory in January last season, after a Michael Timlin wonder goal earnt Stevenage a 1-0 win at The Lamex in August of last year.

Morecambe’s last win against Boro came in April 2017, after Lee Molyneux’s goal eased Jim Bentley’s relegation worries, and hindered Darren Sarll’s play-off hopes.

Betting…

Stevenage are 19/20 favourites with league sponsors Sky Bet, whilst Stevenage to win and BTTS has been PRICE BOOSTED from 3/1 to 7/2. If you fancy a flutter this weekend, use our designated link which enables the club to receive a slice of your stake!

Also, don't forget that supporters can now check-in on matchdays, unlock achievements and earn special rewards courtesy of Sky Bet, title sponsors of the EFL. Download the new Sky Bet EFL Rewards app by clicking here.

Online coverage…

Live match commentary will be available for UK iFollow subscribers so make sure you sign up to listen to every game. If you are based outside of the UK & Ireland, you can stream the game LIVE!

Visit the Live Match Centre to access form guides, live text commentary and live access to the match on iFollow

Make sure you are following our Twitter account throughout the day as we bring you the very latest from The Lamex Stadium.

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Match Reports

Report: Stevenage 1-0 Morecambe

26 October 2019

Super Skipper Scott Cuthbert scored the only goal of the game on Saturday as Stevenage beat Morecambe to move off the bottom of the table, two points clear of the away side...

Stevenage controlled the large majority of the game as they peppered The Shrimps goal, especially in the first half. As the second half wore on, the weather worsened, meaning fewer chances created but just when Boro needed him most, Cuthbert rose highest from a corner to head home through a crowded penalty area and send The Lamex Stadium into raptures.

Mark Sampson made four changes from the midweek defeat to Swindon Town. Emmanuel Sonupe, Joel Byrom, Charlie Carter and the suspended Paul Farman made way for Sacha Bastien - making his League debut - Dean Parrett, Charlie Lakin and Jason Cowley.

On Stevenage’s designated Halloween night, it was almost a nightmare start inside the first five minutes when Bastien was caught late when collecting a loose ball but despite being down and receiving treatment, the French stopper was able to continue.

It was all Stevenage inside the first 20 minutes, Kelland Watts saw a headed effort from a Dean Parrett freekick flew denied by Roche, before Lakin, who charged through the middle of the pitch before letting off a long-range effort that flew wide of the post.

Shortly after, Watts, acrobatically looked for the spectacular and could have bagged his brace when his left-footed volley inside the box was cleared off the line by Alex Kenyon. Kurtis Guthrie then had two quick fire chances himself, both identicle and fired wide from the edge of the box. Down the other, Bastien was called into action for the first time in the game when he got down to deny Shaun Miller taking the lead.

With 10 minutes left to play in the half, Ben Nugent picked up an unfortunate injury and was promptly substituted off for Charlie Carter. Just before the break, Stevenage were gifted with a two-on-one chance when Guthrie couldn’t find the advancing Cowley and was intercepted as both teams went into half-time level.

It looked to be another scary start to a half of football for Stevenage as the two teams came back out, as John O’Sullivan’s first-time effort in the box was smashed in, but it was the home fans left cheering as it was ruled out for offside.

The pressure was building on the away team’s defence as they were facing the game without possession. Lakin and Parrett both saw chances fly wide of the goal just before the hour mark as Stevenage looked for that crucial opening goal.

Again, it was the home side that was risking everything for that first goal as Cowley broke into the box in the 65th minute, but his pass went behind Guthrie and the danger was cleared away. A few minutes later, Lakin was replaced by Michael Timlin as Sampson tried to find that winning formula.

With 10 minutes left, the conditions were becoming unbearable as the rain was lashing down on The Lamex Stadium. It felt like the game was up when Parrett found Carter alone just inside the area, as his powerful shot was well saved by the Morecambe keeper Barry Roche.

And finally, with the game approaching the end, Parrett swung in a corner kick which was met by the Club Captain, Scott Cuthbert to head home and send the players, supporters and staff wild.

Eight minutes was awarded to the away side as Sampson made his final change of the game when Parrett was replaced with Mackail-Smith but as the final whistle blew it was relief for Stevenage as the Club leap-frogged Morecambe to move off bottom of the league.

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Ticket News

Tickets: Stevenage vs Morecambe

23 October 2019

Stevenage FC is back at The Lamex Stadium on Saturday 26th October 2019 to face Morecambe FC in Sky Bet League Two...

With both teams in a battle at the bottom, Saturday's match is the biggest of the season so far and the players will need all the support they can get. Come along, bring your friends/family and get behind the Boro like never before.

Saturday's match is also our Halloween Spooktacular, details of which can be found here.

Supporters who purchase their tickets Online or In-Advance of a match will qualify for cheaper, ‘Online/In-Advance' prices. Those purchasing in-person on the day of the match (Via the Ticket Office) will be subject to 'Matchday/In-Person' prices.

How to purchase your tickets...

When purchasing your tickets online from www.borotickets.co.uk, supporters have the following options:

E-Ticket: Once paid, supporters receive an email with their Ticket QR Code which they can either print at home or scan using their mobile device.
E-Ticket SMS: Once paid, supporters will receive a text message (10p cost) to get a SMS text message with link to tickets sent direct to their phone.
Delivery: Once paid, supporters will receive their tickets in the post via Royal Mail.

For those supporters who may not have access to digital devices, advance priced tickets are also available from the Club Shop in advance of a matchday.

Please note, all tickets must be purchased before reaching the new Digital Turnstiles either online or from the West Stand Ticket Office.

See the full price list below:

	Adult OIA:	Adult MIP:	Conc OIA:	Conc MIP:	U18 OIA:	U18 MIP:	U12 OIA:	U12 MIP:
East:	£17	£20	£15	£17	£10	£12	£5	£5
West:	£22	£24	£20	£22	£14	£16	£8	£10
South (Away):	£22	£24	£20	£22	£14	£16	£8	£10

Key: OIA = 'Online/In-Advance'. MIP = 'Matchday/In-Person'

Family Tickets are also available in the West Stand for £30 for 1 Adult and 2 U16s, or £45 for 2 Adults and 2 U16s. Buy from borotickets.co.uk and click 'promotional packages' or visit us in the Club Shop.

Standings