Morecambe VS Newport County – Match Preview

Kick Off: 3pm GMT, Monday 31st May, Wembley Stadium, League Two Playoff Final

Last 5 Games:

• Morecambe LWWWD
• Newport County WWDWL

On Monday, Morecambe and Newport County meet as they battle it out for a place in League One next season.

Morecambe finished their season in 4th place, just one point of Bolton Wanderers who claimed the last automatic place in the League Two table. Morecambe needed a win, and for Bolton to drop points if they were to finish third. They beat Bradford 2-0, but Bolton also took three points after beating Crawley Town 4-1 away from home.

As for Newport, they finished 4th in the table, 5 points behind Monday’s opponent. On the final day of the season The Ironsides travelled to Southend, were they shared the points following a 1-1 draw.

In their Semi Final, Morecambe had to overcome Tranmere Rovers. The first leg was played at Prenton Park, and Morecambe took the lead in the 15th minute through Nathaniel Knight-Percival, but Peter Clarke pulled one back minutes later. However, the Shrimps took the lead once again just before the half time whistle when Liam McAlinden struck it home, and the finalists held onto their lead.

Just like in the first leg, Morecambe took an early lead, this time Aaron Wildig was the early goalscorer. Tranmere made it tough as James Vaughan netted with half an hour left to go, but the Shrimps held on and progressed to what will be their first ever playoff final.

As for Newport, they faced Forest Green Rovers in their Semi Final and they took a big step towards Wembley in the first leg, beating Forest Green 2-0 at Rodney Palace. Matthew Dolan scored a spectacular goal in the first half, before Lewis Collins doubled County’s lead in the 56th minute.

In the second leg at The New Lawn, the Welsh club were shocked as they dropped their aggregate lead, finding themselves 3-0 down just minutes after the second half whistle. However, the game turned on it’s head again as Kevin Ellison and Joss Labadie both scored, before Jamille Matt’s late goal sent the game into extra time.

The game looked like it was destined for penalties, until veteran striker, Nicky Maynard rounded the keeper and put it into an empty net late on in extra time.

When these teams met this season, Newport have come out the winner on both occasions. In the first meeting, the game was very much in the balance until Newport were awarded a penalty towards the end of the game. Dolan stepped up and fired it into the net, to claim the three points.

In the reverse fixture, Newport won 3-1 thanks to goals from Matthew Dolan, Josh Sheehan and Kevin Ellison. Things were even worse for Morecambe on that day as Samuel Lavelle picked up a red card after a foul on the last man.

This is a chance for Morecambe to write history and win their first playoff final, but it’s also a chance for Newport to rewrite their history, after facing a tough defeat to Tranmere in the League Two playoff final just two seasons ago.

Carlos Mendes Gomes: The Spaniard has had a great season for the Shrimps this season, and has helped them get to the Playoff Final.

Despite not finding the net in the Semi Finals, Gomes could be devastating on the counter-attack against Newport, as he looks to guide his team to League One.

Matthew Dolan: The 28-year-old had a fantastic first leg against Forest Green, were he ran he show from midfield.

Dolan has already netted twice against Morecambe this season, and he would love to make that a hat trick and send the Welsh team into League One on Monday.

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