The Latics and Morecambe have met only once in the Football League, but the two clubs share a rich history in the non-league circles.
We have met twice in the FA Cup, the first meeting in a competitive fixture was way back on the 13th October 1934 in the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round, Latics were playing in the Cheshire League at the time and were current Champions, Morecambe were plying their trade in the Lancashire Combination, the tie was played at Christie Park, the Latics running out winners 0-5.
We met again in the 1961/62 season, the 4th qualifying round, this time Morecambe getting some revenge beating the Latics 2:0 at Christie Park.
Both Latics and Morecambe have been to Wembley, in the FA Trophy, and on our journey there we crossed paths in the quarter final, but it took 3 games to get past the Shrimps, drawing 1:1 away we brought them back to Springfield Park for a replay, but that finished goalless and we had to meet at a neutral ground to settle matters, Ewood Park, Blackburn. The Latics running out winners with a narrow 1:0 victory.
Morecambe went on to win the FA Trophy the following season at Wembley.
The Latics left the Cheshire League in the late 1940s and were elected to the Lancashire Combination in 1947. We met Morecambe many times in the Lanc’s Combination over the next twenty years, and, Morecambe, like the Latics, were also founder members of the Northern Premier League (NPL) in 1968 and we would face each other over the next ten seasons until we gained election to the Football league on 3rd June 1978.
That last season in the NPL, 1977/78, we had mixed fortunes against Morecambe winning away on a late summers evening at Christie Park 1-2.
Following a goalless first half, Parry had given the Shrimps a 65th minute lead, but the Latics battled back with a Mickey Worswick double, a penalty on 77 mins and an 89 min last gasp winner in front of a crowd of 425.
The return fixture was played on New Years Eve 1977, Tommy Gore gave the title chasing Latics the lead just before the hour mark only for Towers to equalise for Morecambe 15 minutes later, the game ending with a disappointing 1-1 draw with 1,691 in attendance at Springfield Park.
Morecambe finished the season in 21st whilst we ended as runners-up but still gained our objective of election to the Football League.
*Thank you to Latics historian Jeff Rourke for the 77/78 season information.
Morecambe were also the first visitors to the then named JJB Stadium, on the 1st August 1999. 4,020 spectators witnessed a goalless draw.
Last Meeting
Our last meeting with the Shrimps came on the 18th January this year, a League One fixture, Cole Stockton put Morecambe in front on 7 minutes, but a Will Keane goal on the stroke of half-time and Stevie Humphrys’ header on 73 minutes saw the Latics run out winners 1:2.
Latics – Amos; Darikwa, Whatmough, Watts, Pearce; Power, Naylor; Massey, Lang, McClean; Keane
Subs – Jones, Edwards, Kerr, Shinnie, Bayliss, Aasgaard, Humphrys
Attendance – 5,359
Highlights – Morecambe 1:2 Wigan Athletic
Morecambe Current Form
Morecambe currently sit 22nd in League One with 32 points from 38 games, their recent form is, DLDLL.
Currently on a run of 11 league games without a win, five draws and six defeats.
Their last game was on Tuesday away at Shrewsbury Town where they lost 5:0.
Away Form
Morecambe’s 19 away games so far this season have brought 10 points, with 2 wins, 13 defeats & 4 draws, scoring 19 goals and conceding 43. The 2nd worst away form in League One.
Player To Watch – Cole Stockton
 |
| Cole Stockton |
The 28 year old striker is undoubtedly a talisman for Morecambe, he has bagged 19 goals so far this season in the most prolific of his career, some of those goals have been breathtaking.
Stockton came through the ranks at Tranmere and it is fair to say he’s been a bit of a journey man playing at Southport, Wrexham, Carlisle and in Scotland with Hearts, before finding his feet at Morecambe.
So far this season, Cole Stockton has made 36 appearances for Crewe. He’s scored 19 goals from 120 attempts, committed 52 fouls and drawn 37, picking up four yellow cards along the way.
Stockton leads the line well, drifts around the final third and he is difficult to pick up creating space for himself with his movement. He was excellent against the Latics in the reverse fixture in January, scored a poachers goal, but was also unlucky with a couple of efforts from range, which this season has been his trademark, most definitely a player to watch.
Full League Record v Morecambe
Played – 1
Won – 1
Drawn – 0
Lost – 0
Last Five Meetings
|
Date |
Competition |
Result |
|
18 Jan 2022 |
League One |
Morecambe 1:2 Latics |
|
01 Aug 1999 |
Opening JJB |
Latics 0:0 Morecambe |
|
13 Sep 1977 |
NPL |
Morecambe 1:2 Latics |
|
31 Dec 1977 |
NPL |
Latics 1:1 Morecambe |
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