Morecambe could clinch promotion to League One with victory against Bradford City

The Shrimps could gain promotion to League One if they beat Bradford and results elsewhere go their way.

After a campaign that has defied the odds, Morecambe put on a superb showing away at Walsall in order to set up a final-day showdown between themselves, Bolton and Cambridge, with the latter pair suffering defeat last time out.

Derek Adams has developed an impressive squad at the Mazuma Stadium despite having one of the lowest budgets in the division and he now has the chance to take them all the way.

Morecambe were without Carlos Mendes Gomes last Saturday but is expected to return for tomorrow’s fixture.

Yet, without a key player in their bid for a promotion push, they were able to stage a professional, composed performance befitting of a side that sees itself at a higher level next season.

Cole Stockton provided his 12th goal of the season and the striker will be the main attacking outlet against Bradford given the absence of a lot of goals in the side through both injury and suspension.

Notwithstanding the fluid, attacking outputs in the side, they are well-balanced at the back as well with Sam Lavelle and Nathaniel Knight-Percival forming a compact, confident defensive partnership that has served them well throughout the season.

The Lancashire outfit are well aware that, should they not gain promotion this campaign, there will be a number of players heading for the exit door with interest already high, but the squad are well focused on their current goals.

What has stood out throughout the season is how tight-knit this squad of players are.

There is a real siege mentality throughout the club to dispel the myth of ‘little old Morecambe’ and that has been a real sense of motivation for each and every player.

Everyone within the squad has played their part and stepped up to the plate when needed and it shows in their performances.

As for the opposition, Bradford head to the North West with nothing to play for as they have tailed off significantly since their sniff of a play-off place went away.

They will want to end a rollercoaster campaign with a win to end their run of games without one, and there is no doubt that they will try to play their part in what could be a thrilling conclusion to the League Two season.

There is a mountain of potential scenarios on Saturday that could see three different clubs promoted automatically as well as five different clubs still alive in the play-off race.

As for Morecambe’s battle, they sit in fourth place, one point behind third-placed Bolton and two behind second-placed Cambridge.

The U’s host bottom of the table and already relegated Grimsby Town, whilst Bolton travel to Crawley who, similarly to Bradford, languish in midtable with nothing to play for.

Whatever happens on Saturday, Morecambe will take great pride in a campaign that has seen them achieve their record points tally in the EFL, but having come so far, they will want to put the icing on the cake with automatic promotion.

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