Opposition: Morecambe (H)
Next up for FGR is a home clash against league rivals Morecambe as we return to the Bolt New Lawn this Saturday.
Rovers Head Coach Ian Burchnall and his side come into the clash having gained a well-earned point at Charlton Athletic on Tuesday.
Now its full focus on the Shrimps who we look at here ahead of their long journey to GL6.
IN THE DUGOUT: DEREK ADAMS
Derek Adams returned to Morecambe to become Manager once again back in February after only eight months away from the Mazuma Stadium.
After his 14-year playing career Adams took his first managerial role at Ross County in 2007, where he led them to promotion and a surprise Scottish Cup Final appearance.
He left to become Assistant Manager at Hibernian but returned for a second spell less than a year later to win promotion this time to the Scottish Premiership.
He then took over at Plymouth in 2015 and guided Argyle back to League One in his second season but would join Morecambe in 2019.
Like he did with Plymouth, Adams won promotion to League One with the Shrimps in his second season before leaving to join Bradford City.
His time with the Bantams would be short lived however as he was sacked in February before returning to Morecambe a week later helping them avoid immediate relegation.
ONE TO WATCH: COLE STOCKTON
Morecambe’s main man Cole Stockton joined the club permanently back in June 2019 following two previous loan spells with the Shrimps.
The 28-year-old began his career with Tranmere Rovers where he made his debut and over 100 appearances alongside loan moves to the likes of Southport and Morecambe.
Stockton eventually left the club to join Hearts but spent just six months at Tynecastle before returning to England with Carlisle United and then re-joining Tranmere.
He spent the first half of the 2018/19 season back with his boyhood club before a loan spell to Wrexham where he made just one start.
He returned to Morecambe permanently in 2019 and has been prolific scoring 13 goals during promotion to League One before netting 23 times last season playing a vital part in the Shrimps survival.
FORM - LDLDL
16/08/22 – Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Morecambe
20/08/22 – Oxford United 1-1 Morecambe
27/08/22 – Morecambe 0-4 Milton Keynes Dons
03/09/22 – Bristol Rovers 2-2 Morecambe
13/09/22 – Morecambe 0-3 Sheffield Wednesday
FAMILIAR FACE
Former FGR goalkeeper Adam Smith and defender Farrend Rawson both made the move North to join Morecambe during the Summer transfer window.
Adam left Rovers last year after making 10 appearances in all competitions during his two years with the club, spending the second season on loan with Yeovil Town.
Farrend also spent two years in Gloucestershire after joining Rovers in 2018. He was a mainstay at the heart of the defence making a total of 97 appearances and scoring four times.
LAST TIME OUT
Morecambe fell to a 3-0 defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday evening, after goals from Josh Windass, George Byers and Michael Smith.
Wednesday controlled large parts of the game and had 29 shots in the match as Reece James and Windass brought good saves out of Connor Ripley in the opening 45.
The Owls eventually took the lead 20 minutes from time as Windass was the first to meet Barry Bannan’s corner, expertly diverting his header into the far corner.
Eight minutes later it was two, almost a carbon copy of the first as this time Byers met a Bannan corner to head the Owls further ahead.
And Darren Moore’s side made sure of the three points seven minutes from time as Smith slotted home his first Wednesday goal to make it three.
The Owls remain in fourth place after victory whilst Morecambe are still yet to win in the league so far this season and sit second from bottom.
