“Southport will be tough opponents”: Morecambe manager prepares for the start of their FA Cup campaign
Morecambe swap National League North action for the FA Cup this weekend.
Morecambe’s quest for FA Cup success begins on Saturday with boss Adam Lakeland hoping his side can maintain their impressive run of form at home, writes DEREK QUINN.
The Shrimps face fellow National League North side Southport, ironically the last team to beat them.
They are entering the competition in the second qualifying round stage for the first time in a number of years after their run of relegations.
It means the Shrimps would need to win three games if they are to seal a place in the first round proper of the competition.
With Morecambe having won three successive home games for the first time since January 2023, Lakeland said they must focus on making the Halo Aerospace Stadium a fortress.
He said: “Teams will arrive here and look forward to playing here because it is such a good stadium.
“We have to make it the exact opposite and make it incredibly difficult for them.
“We have had a really good start here, results-wise.
“We almost won the first game (1-1 draw with Spennymoor Town) and didn’t deserve to lose against South Shields (1-0 defeat) in my opinion - but to win the last three home games gives us a run we want to maintain.
“We have won four games from the last five and that is a run we want to sustain going forward, particularly on Saturday.
“We kept another clean sheet at the weekend too and that is a habit we want to continue.
“Southport will be tough opponents though as we saw this week.
“We will have to be at our best to get into the next round, which is where we all want to be.”