All you need to know ahead of Shrimps visit
Luton Town v Morecambe
Sky Bet League 2
Saturday 7th March 2015, kick-off 3pm
Live commentary on Hatters Player, DiverseFM, BBC3CR and lutontown.co.uk
• Hatters fourth; last three of last four League 2 games
• Morecambe 12th; two wins in last 11 L2 matches
• Head2Head: Town wins: 1, Morecambe wins: 1, Draws: 1
• Teams to contest the Eric Morecambe Trophy again
WHO? Morecambe, aka the Shrimps, and not to be confused with Southend who are the Shrimpers. Morecambe currently sit in 12th place in the League 2 table so far this season – they even spent a short time at the top, too, after winning their first four matches. Their form more recently has been patchy: winning just two of their last 11 league games. They were also dumped out of the FA Cup by Conference side Dover. Last week they were beaten 2-0 at home to Cambridge but they earned a point from a 1-1 draw at Oxford on Tuesday night. Their last win came on their travels: a 1-0 win at Newport.
WHERE? The Shrimps play their home fixtures at the plush new Globe Arena, built for just £12m and opened in 2010. Morecambe had resided at Christie Park, and had done for 89 years. Their away form (W6 D4) is one point worse than their home form (W6, D5). Only four teams in League 2 have scored less goals than Morecambe’s 35 – Mansfield (29), York (34), Cheltenham (30) and Hartlepool (25).
TICKETS, PLEASE. It’s going to be another big crowd at Kenilworth Road on Saturday so make sure you arrive in plenty of time. If you’ve not got your ticket yet you can do so by contact the ticket office on 01582 416976, visiting our e-ticketing website, or by visiting the ticket office in person. For ticket prices click here.
HAVEN’T WE MET BEFORE? The Town made their first visit to the Globe Arena in December but lost 3-0 with Stephen McNulty red-carded in the first half. The Hatters won on their sole previous visit to the seaside town in the minus-30 season of 2008/09 when goals from Chris Martin and Kevin Gallen gave the Town a 2-1 win at Christie Park in March 2009. Saturday will be the Shrimps’ first visit to Kenilworth Road since the same season when the Lancashire outfit earned a 1-1 draw. Michael Spillane got the Town in front but Danny Carlton equalised.
TOWN CONNECTIONS. Eric Morecambe, arguably our most famous fan took his stage name from his hometown, and we’re pretty sure they’ll be plenty of Eric shenanigans on the day. On the pitch, the Town have a former Shrimp in their midst in the shape of Jonathan Smith, whilst Morecambe have ex-Town defender Alan Goodall in their ranks. Strikers Jason Walker and Peter Thomson (remember him?) have also played for both clubs.
GET WITH THE PROGRAMME. Remember to buy your copy of our official programme, Talk of the Town. Chairman Nick Owen pens the notes from the boardroom, plus read the thoughts of manager John Still and captain Stephen McNulty. 76 pages all for £3
NEW OAK ROAD MATCHDAY SHOP. Entering the ground from the Oak/Maple Road side on Saturday? Pay a trip to our new shop in Oak Road. It'll save you walking all the way round to the Kenilworth Road side! Click here for further details.
WIGGLE YOUR GLASSES. The Eric Morecambe Trophy will be contested for the second time, with Morecambe currently in possession of it after their win back in December. Both clubs are urging fans to turn up dressed as the great comedian. Glasses, caps, coats, you name it. We’re not entirely sure what happens if it’s a draw, though!
REF WATCH. Carl Berry is Saturday’s man-in-the-middle. He takes charge of his first game involving the Hatters this season. So far this term he has shown 92 yellow cards and five reds in 24 matches. The whistler makes his first visit to Bedfordshire since officiating in the Town’s 2-1 FA Cup in over Dorchester in December 2012.
TOWN TEAM NEWS.John Still revealed at his Thursday press conference that the squad is set to be the same that was on duty on Tuesday at Bury. Mark Tyler will have a scan on his knee injury so Elliot Justham is set to continue in goal. Paul Benson and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu are both back in training but are not yet ready for a return. Ryan Hall is back from tonsillitis, while Nathan Doyle remains sidelined for at least three weeks with a knee problem.
LIVE AND ONLINE.Hatters Player is the only place to listen to online commentary of the Hatters this season and once again the DiverseFM team will be bringing subscribers all the action from Kenilworth Road. What’s more there will be a full report, reaction and photographs post-match and live text updates during the match itself.
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