Field Mill is the venue for Mansfield’s first home game of the League Two season against Morecambe. The hosts will be looking to get their first win on the board whereas Morecambe aim to continue their winning ways.
Mansfield currently sit tenth in League Two as one of four teams who managed a draw in their opening game. Their superior goal tally leaves them as the best of those on one point, along with their opponents from last weekend Crewe.
The opening game was a tense affair away at Crewe. The Stags opened the scoring with a quickfire brace from KD Davis in the 22nd and 26th minutes, but Crewe kept themselves in the tie with a Mickey Demetriou goal just before half time. However, a straight red card for Calum MacDonald on his Mansfield debut for a late tackle. A ten-man Mansfield couldn’t keep Rio Adebisi out as he scored in the second half leaving Mansfield and Crewe with a point each.
Mansfield hosted fellow League Two side Grimsby in the First Round of the League Cup in one of the only ties that ended in normal time. The Stags were given a penalty in the first half after Lucas Akins was brought down by Grimsby’s Harvey Cartwright. Akins converted this penalty with Rhys Oates scoring in the second half to give Mansfield the 2 - 0 win and the spot in the Second Round.
Morecambe sit sixth in the league after a strong start with one win already under their belt. However, with a goal difference of just one, Morecambe are equal with five other teams in League Two.
The Shrimps’ home opener this season ended in all three points for Morecambe after a win over visiting Walsall. Adam Mayor opened the scoring for Morecambe in the 25th minute before Walsall replied through Danny Jonson finding the back of the net before the end of the first half. After an even second half between the two sides, Farrend Rawson popped up with a big goal for The Shrimps in the 92nd minute.
Morecambe met Championship side Rotherham for their First Round match in the League Cup on Tuesday. Michael Mellon drew first blood with a goal in the 22nd minute for Morecambe, however, Joshua Kayode drew Rotherham level before the end of the first half. The second half went on without any change in the scoreline, sending the tie to penalties. Misses from Charlie Brown and Jake Taylor meant that Rotherham won 4 - 2 and progressed.
Mansfield and Morecambe have met 19 times in their histories with Mansfield having the slight advantage in the fixture. The Stags have won on ten occasions whereas Morecambe have won six encounters with the other three games ending in draws.
In the last five games between the two, both Mansfield and Morecambe have won just once with the three other games ending in a draw. This suggests that this weekend’s clash is very likely to also end in a draw and a low scoring one, as all of the last three meetings haven’t had more than two goals.