PREVIEW Morecambe v Oxford United

Full match guide as the U's travel to Morecambe

17 March 2023

Liam Manning takes charge of the U's for the first time as they look to turn around a run of ten games without a win.

TEAM NEWS
The U's are without James Henry who tweaked a hamstring in the game against Derby last weekend. Billy Bodin is also ruled out after suffering a slight setback in training this week while Ateef Konate remains a doubt.

However the U's have trained well under their new management team as Liam told us.

"It has been good. We knew about the players here and had seen they way the team has been playing. Training has been really compeitive. They will all want to be involved on Saturday and we have said right from the start that everyone starts with the same opportunity to impress us and show that they should be in that starting eleven. And if not then you still play a part and do all you can to support and help."

See a full Preview Show in iFollow, along with the full pre match interview with Liam.

THE OPPOSITION
Morecambe are without a win in five games after a 4-1 defeat at home to Charlton in midweek

“You have to pick yourself up and be ready to go again" Manager Derek Adams said. "I thought Charlton played very well on the night and deserved to win. We got it back to 3-1 and had a glimmer of hope but they scored a soft goal to make it 4-1 and the game was finished after that. We have to be better in our duels, win more one on ones.

“The players are doing their best and giving their all. We are three points behind Oxford and have to try to get the better of them, play as though it’s our last game. We have nine games now until the end of the season and each one is huge for us.”

TICKETS
This game is ALL TICKET and none will be available on matchday.

Tickets are on sale online from oufctickets.co.uk and on the phones (01865 337533) and in person.They can be collected from the Kassam Stadium before 3pm on Friday or at Morecambe on matchday

Prices

	Seats	Terrace
Adults	£25	£20
Over 65	£20	£15
18-22	£15	£10
14-17	£7	£5
Under 14	£5	£3
PA	FREE	FREE

We have five pairs of wheelchair tickets available. Please call 01865 337533 to book.

Disabled parking is £10 per car. You can book a space by calling Morecambe FC Club Shop on 01524 411797 (ext 3)

London Road Club Travel

Coaches will depart the stadium at 8:30am with a Kidlington Sainsbury's pick up at 8:45am.

Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult and no alcohol is permitted on the coaches

Prices

Adult Member	£26
Under 18 Member	£24
Adult Non-Member	£29
Under 18 Non-Member	£27

Visit oufctickets.co.uk or call 01865 337533 to book

IFOLLOW
iFollow coverage is available to hear in the UK and watch if you are overseas, with full commentary from our friends at BBC Oxford Sport.

We'll have our usual full coverage on all official channels as well.

Match Reports

REPORT Morecambe 1 Oxford United 1

Manning era starts with a draw. Full time report

18 March 2023

The Liam Manning era began with a draw this afternoon as the U's drew 1-1 at Morecambe.

Marcus Browne's first-half goal looked to have decided a tense affair, but Ash Hunter cruelly levelled with three minutes left to deny United a dream start for their new Head Coach.

Manning’s first line-up saw a full league debut for Oisin Smyth as the 1 in a 4-2-1-3 formation, with the robust Irishman also taking set pieces and running himself into the ground against a Morecambe side who had also gone five games without a win.

Former U’s midfielder Dan Crowley forced Simon Eastwood into an early save but that was the home side's only real effort until Hunter's late hearbreaker, while Yanic Wildschut had two similarly speculative efforts at the other end as the U's grew into the game.

They were patient, enjoying over 60 per cent of the possession in the first half, passing the ball neatly and stretching the game at all times. In the end that paid off five minutes before the break, when Wildschut barrelled away down the left and sent a perfect pass across the goal for Browne to tap home a simple finish that gave his side their precious lead.

180323 Morecambe browne scores.jpg

Cameron Brannagan was outstanding, showing terrific determination all game, and almost doubled the lead with a free kick that home keeper Connor Ripley just about smuggled away just before the interval. However, Brannagan's typical energy was matched by Smyth and Marcus McGuane in the middle of the park as the whole team worked together for the greater cause.

That stifled Morecambe, who never quite built up the head of steam they needed as they chased the game. They found United a very hard team to break down, quite an achievement after just one week of intense training and a first clean sheet in 17 games was so close, but then Hunter found space on the left and let fly with his right foot to level and deny United the win they had come so close to claiming.

The last three games have seen steady progress each time and a win is coming. Today saw true commitment and a highly encouraging discipline and style, but those familiar shortcomings are going to take more than a week to iron out. We take a point that stops the rot, we edge closer to safety and we move on.

Bring me sunshine...

Att: 4,260
Away: 543

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Steve Daniels, Steve Edmunds, Darrell Fisher

Ticket News

Morecambe Away Tickets - Reduced Price Buses

Ticket and travel details for Saturday

13 March 2023

Our next game is at Morecambe on Saturday, March 18th in Sky Bet League 1 and to help the Yellow Army get behind Liam Manning for his first game in charge all London Road Club Buses have been reduced by £10

We have been allocated an initial 800 tickets: 400 Seated and 400 Terrace. More will be made available upon request but please note that this game is ALL TICKET and none will be available on matchday.

Tickets are on sale online from oufctickets.co.uk and on the phones (01865 337533) and in person. Last day for any tickets to be posted is Monday, 13th March.

Prices

	Seats	Terrace
Adults	£25	£20
Over 65	£20	£15
18-22	£15	£10
14-17	£7	£5
Under 14	£5	£3
PA	FREE	FREE

We have five pairs of wheelchair tickets available. Please call 01865 337533 to book.

Disabled parking is £10 per car. You can book a space by calling Morecambe FC Club Shop on 01524 411797 (ext 3)

London Road Club Travel

In order that the LRC can endeavour to source the appropriate number of coaches they ask that tickets are purchased no later than midday on Wednesday.

Those that have already purchased a coach ticket will receive £10 off the next time they travel this season or receive a £10 refund if they prefer.

Coaches will depart the stadium at 8:30am with a Kidlington Sainsbury's pick up at 8:45am

Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult and no alcohol is permitted on the coaches

Prices