Morecambe (A) F.L.Trophy 1st round, Tue Sept 1st, 7.45pm

[Welsh_Saddler]

After the Blackpool demolition we stay in Lancashire to visit the Globe Arena in Morecambe as we start the long road back to Wembley (and if we do get there, to perhaps give a better account of ourselves than last time). Since being elected to the League in 2007 they've stayed in League 2, but did reach the play-offs in 2010 but lost 7-2 on aggregate to Dagenham & Redbridge. Last season they finished 11th, and are currently in 10th place following some mixed performances. Their record so far this season:

8 Aug Hartlepool (A) League 2, Lost 2-0
11 Aug Sheffield Utd (H) League Cup 1st round, Lost 0-1
15 Aug Accrington Stanley (H) League 2, Won 1-0
18 Aug Wycombe Wanderers (H) League 2, Lost 0-1
22 Aug Portsmouth (A) League 2, Drew 3-3
29 Aug Notts County (H) League 2, Won 4-1

Leading scorer Alan Goodall only has 2 goals to his name, but as the team has scored 8 League goals there are obviously contributions from several others. Perhaps the strangest result came at Portsmouth, where Morecambe were 0-3 ahead before half-time but Portsmouth came back to make it a 3-3 draw. Team selection for manager Jim Bentley is problematical though - captain Peter Murphy lasted 8 minutes on his debut at home to Hartlepool before suffering damage to his knee ligaments, and he's not expected back before mid-November. Two other players brought it on themselves in the Wycombe game - the match officials didn't see what happened, but camera evidence brought a charge of violent conduct and the pair were banned for 3 matches - consequently winger Kevin Ellison (36) and defender Ryan Edwards (21) won't be seen against Walsall. Having said that, Morecambe managed to dispose of Notts County 4-1 at the weekend.......

Dean Smith's team selection is anyone's guess. Having won our last 6 games on the trot while changing the starting XI for practically every game, who knows what to expect against the Shrimps? He will no doubt favour the regular 6 or 7 that make up the defence and rear-midfield sections, but then it's a case of "perm any 4 from 10". With Romaine Sawyers and Sam Mantom chipping in with goals as often as they are, he might even rest Tom Bradshaw :shock: - as I say, who knows?

Prediction - there has to be a certain attraction about this "Paint Pot" (?Mickey Mouse?) competition because it did lead to our Wembley day out, so let's assume the game is taken seriously. In that case we should be able to win it on the night, and I'll go for a 1-2 scoreline and as for the scorers, well, it depends who's playing !!

[Blackheath Saddler]

2-0 Walsall Morris Lalkovic

[hullsaddler]

After yesterday, really looking forward to seeing us again ( & a new ground too). Glad I decided to be in Kendal for a few days so not far to go.

2-0 to us.

[Big Dave wfc]

Would like to see a few new faces come in, think with the buzz around the squad we could drop morcambe by 2 goals.y team would be.

Mcgivallry
Kinsella
Preston
Downing
Henry
Forde
Flanagan
Mantom
Baxendale
Cook
Murphy

Subs
Etheridge
Oconnor
Chambers
Sawyers
Bradshaw
Morris
Lalkovic

[Locky]

I'll go 2-1 to the Saddlers.

Goals from Etheridge and Mick Kearns header from the commentary box - I know but why not every other fudge if scoring.

[JonnyOwen]

I'd like to see a little bit of rotation Tuesday, but not too much.

MacGillivray

Kinsella (Possible Gayle who we have on trial as I have a feeling in my tummy we may sign him on a short term deal)
Preston
O'Connor
Taylor
Henry

Chambers
Mantom
Flanagan/New Signing if we get one

Sawyers
Bradshaw

Would love to see Preston get some game time, he looks quality. I have no idea what formation we will play, I presume a 5 since we will want to make ourselves very attacking and control the game. Could go with a 2 though and get Milan and Morris running at them though which is equally as dangerous, which is the refreshing thing about this team at the moment. What I wouldn't want though is for us to rest Bradshaw, sure bring him off early, but set a precedent and try and get our noses in front instead of playing Cook and possibly bringing Tom on when we could be chasing the game.

I think a hard fought 2-0 win. I will be there.

[bescot42]

I believe Etheridge and Demetriou are out on international duty for this one so we will definitely be seeing MacGillivray playing.

[Blackheath Saddler]

Hopefully O'Connor wont be playing full back

[Leatherman]

Hopefully O'Connor wont be playing full back

An opportunity for Kinsella?

[Sadders]

I'd give some of the spine a rest for this. O'Connor, Mantom and Bradshaw have played Saturday - Tuesday 3 weeks running and all 3 have had injury problems in recent times. I'd bring in Preston, Kinsella, Flanagan, Milan, Morris, Forde, Baxendale and Cook all to start.


MacGillivray

Kinsella
Preston
Downing
Henry

Milan
Chambers
Flanagan
Forde

Morris

Cook



Can always bring Tom, Romaine and Mantom on if we are losing with half hour to go.

[Gripper]

Does anyone know of any spare seats in cars or on coaches for this?

Any help would be hugely appreciated!

[Darth Vader]

Stephen hanson has 5 seats left, just put it on facebook, meeting at Yates' in Walsall at 8

number is 07761697366

[SoccerHQ]

Would rest Bradshaw for this one although put him on the bench before people get worried he's leaving. Give Cook a run out and I'd also start Forde and Morris to keep the attacking line up fresh.

[gerryhatrick]

Stephen hanson has 5 seats left, just put it on facebook, meeting at Yates' in Walsall at 8

number is 07761697366

Travelling at the speed of sound is fairly commonplace, faster than time is something else.

D'ya think he'll give me a lift to William Hills ?

[Magic Man Fan]

Lose 3-0. Dean Smith to lock all players on the coach at an undisclosed service station, to avoid and transfers. Jon Whitney, Richard O'Kelly and Neil Cutler step in but can't quiet handle Morcombe's extra numbers.

[belgiansaddler]

Lose 3-0. Dean Smith to lock all players on the coach at an undisclosed service station, to avoid and transfers. Jon Whitney, Richard O'Kelly and Neil Cutler step in but can't quiet handle Morcombe's extra numbers.

Me, Asps, WAW and Ancient Moaner signed on short term contracts to make up the numbers. Unfortunately me and WAW don't make it onto the pitch as there is a bar on the way from the dressing room to the pitch, Asps streaks onto the field and starts rotating and Ancient, well he moans. Deano desperately tries to find somebody sober in the away end to bring on as subs but only Tony and Oscar qualify as they are driving. Unfortunately they can't stem the tide and the ground gets washed into Morecambe bay and the match is abandoned.

[saddla]

Dan Jezeph is the goalkeeper on the bench tonight according to his mom on twitter:

Sharon Jezeph ‏@SJezeph 19m19 minutes ago

@JP_Trophy @VitalWalsall @BescotBanter delighted @danjezeph has been called up for the first team tonight against morecombe #progression

[Exile]

Lose 3-0. Dean Smith to lock all players on the coach at an undisclosed service station, to avoid and transfers. Jon Whitney, Richard O'Kelly and Neil Cutler step in but can't quiet handle Morcombe's extra numbers.

Me, Asps, WAW and Ancient Moaner singed on short term contracts to make up the numbers. Unfortunately me and WAW don't make it onto the pitch as there is a bar on the way from the dressing room to the pitch, Asps streaks onto the field and starts rotating and Ancient, well he moans. Deano desperately tries to find somebody sober in the away end to bring on as subs but only Tony and Oscar qualify as they are driving. Unfortunately they can't stem the tide and the ground gets washed into Morecambe bay and the match is abandoned.

Has the water reached Ni Hai yet?

[cumbria-saddler]

After yesterday, really looking forward to seeing us again ( & a new ground too). Glad I decided to be in Kendal for a few days so not far to go.

2-0 to us.

I'll keep an eye out for any Walsall shirts around town!

3-0 Walsall, Morris (2) and Forde

[Mrdollabill]

Would like to see subs and reserves this match only think our lads deserve a rest, 2-0 Walsall. I know last year we got to Wembley in this competition but I really don't care for it this year. Promotion should be the main goal this year. Don't think we need tin pot competitions clogging up our fixture list, especially when we beat Chelsea and have more league cup fixtures :wink:

[Greg Oxley]

E&S likely lineup has someone called Townsend starting in defence for us - possible new player ?? Probably not - they also reckon Demetriou has been called up to the Wales squad

[chestersaddler]

1-1

Out on pens

[tinned]

Unfortunately me and WAW don't make it onto the pitch as there is a bar on the way from the dressing room to the pitch

A mate of mine is on a campsite in site of the away turnstiles. He still reckons he'll be unlikely to make kick off, for similar reasons :lol:

[Andy_Petterson]

E&S likely lineup has someone called Townsend starting in defence for us - possible new player ?? Probably not - they also reckon Demetriou has been called up to the Wales squad

:lol: I think they mean the Cyprus squad

[BathSaddler]

A 1-1 draw followed by a win on penalties :shock: .

I expect the Shrimpers to give us a much tougher game than Blackpool did on Saturday.

The crowd will be 1,100 including 130 Saddlers.

[scott_powell]

Not bothered about this fixture ... I'd obviously like us to win but it's no big deal if we lose.

I'm going for 3-1 to the saddlers.

Bradshaw, Sawyers and Mantom

[Walsallone]

Greg....I saw that possibly Michael Townsend...played a lot for Cheltenham and Hereford a year or two back. Had a lot of injuries but Walsall born! Maybe he is the defender who has been training with us...another Dean masterstroke or a waste of time?

[*DOFFER*]

:shock: Offer here,

I would hope we take this game seriously enough, I am sure we will as we have the squad to do it.

I would give Macca a go in goal.

Deffo give Preston a start.

Milan a start as he didn't play at the weekend.

Morris, Forde and Cook to start.

Like to see Flanagan get another start..

Bench Rico, Romaine and Bradders and see where we are at 65 minutes..

All starters should have enough for Morecambe...

:shock: Offer

[chunkster]

i can't believe that smith can change the squad around so much and we still look dangerous :o . we have only signed a couple of players and suddenly we have strength in depth.
1-2 with morris and milan scoring for us with 150 saddlers

[kshammer]

2-0 to us. Great player 1 and great player 2 scoring for us.