Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Morecambe, Saturday 1 October 2016

Notts County and Morecambe have only met eight times in their history, with the first ever clash taking place less than 10 years ago, in September 2007.

The Shrimpers have a slight advantage, with three wins over Notts, three draws and two defeats. Our last meeting, in December last season, ended as a 2-2 draw.

The fixture on 19 September 2009 was former Arsenal and England legend Sol Campbell's only game in a Magpies shirt, while the rematch later in the season, on 17 April 2010, is when Notts mathematically secured promotion to League One.

Football in the town dates back to the turn of the 20th century; however, it was not until 7 May 1920 that Morecambe FC was formed. The club then took its place in the Lancashire Combination League for the 1920–21 season.

The fourteen years from 1960 could be said to be Morecambe's golden era. This included an FA Cup third round appearance in 1961–62, a 1–0 defeat to Weymouth; a Lancashire Senior Cup Final victory in 1968, a 2–1 win over Burnley; and an FA Trophy success at Wembley in 1974, a 2–1 win over Dartford in the final.

Morecambe, a non-league side for most of their history, were promoted to the Football League for the first time in 2007 after winning the Conference Playoff Final, beating Exeter City 2–1 at Wembley in front of over 40,000 fans.

Morecambe was a thriving seaside resort in the mid-20th century. While the resort of Blackpool attracted holiday-makers predominantly from the Lancashire mill towns, Morecambe had more visitors from Yorkshire, due to its railway connection, and Scotland.

Between 1956 and 1989 Morecambe was the home of the Miss Great Britain beauty contest.

Team News

Louis Laing is back in contention for Notts County after missing out against Exeter City in midweek through suspension.

The defender may struggle to regain his place in the team, however, after John Sheridan's side kept their first clean sheet of the season in League Two at St James Park.

Sheridan can also call on the likes of Vadaine Oliver, Adam Campbell, Graham Burke, Stanley Aborah and Aaron Collins should he wish to change things round.

Alan Smith should be fit again soon while fellow midfielder Curtis Thompson could be back from his long-standing ankle problem in another two to three weeks.

Morecambe will check on the fitness of Tom Barkhuizen - the forward scored the Shrimps' first goal in the 2-2 draw at Barnet on Tuesday night but was taken off during the second half due to a calf problem.

Defender Alex Whitmore, on loan from Burnley, will be available again having served the final game of his three-match suspension following his red card against Doncaster earlier this month.

Manager Jim Bentley must also decide whether to stick with on-loan Tranmere striker Cole Stockton, who marked his return to the side following a virus with a late equaliser to earn a point at The Hive.

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