NEWPORT COUNTY and Morecambe will do battle on Monday, May 31, with a place in League One at stake.
The game at Wembley will kick off at 3pm with both sides aiming to reach the third tier of English football for the first time in their histories.
The Exiles have had previous experience in the play-offs, losing 1-0 to Tranmere Rovers in the final in the 2018-19 season.
A fourteenth placed finish in the Covid-19 curtailed 2019-20 season followed but they have risen again for another shot at making it to League One.
Morecambe will take part in their first play-off final on Monday after finishing fourth in the table this season.
HEAD TO HEAD
The head-to-head makes good reading for Newport fans whose team have beaten Morecambe on the last three occasions.
In December 2020, Newport earned a 2-1 win at Rodney Parade thanks to goals from Padraig Amond and Matty Dolan.
Dolan scored again in the reverse fixture, as did Josh Sheehan and Kevin Ellison, as Newport recorded a 3-1 win over the Shrimps.
Morecambe’s only recent win over the Exiles came in December 2019.
PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINALS
Both teams came through thrilling semi-finals to reach Monday’s showpiece event.
Newport won the first leg of their semi-final 2-0 against Forest Green with goals from Dolan and Lewis Collins.
They were beaten 4-3 in the second leg but after the Rovers forced the tie into extra time, Nicky Maynard’s 119th minute winner put Newport through with a 5-4 aggregate scoreline.
Morecambe also won their first leg of their semi-final, beating Tranmere 2-1 at Prenton Park.
Nathaniel Knight-Percival put the Shrimps ahead before Tranmere equalised. Liam McAlinden’s goal on the stroke of half time gave his side the first leg advantage.
In the second leg, Aaron Wildig’s early opener was later cancelled out by James Vaughan’s goal but the 1-1 scoreline gave Morecambe a 3-2 aggregate win.
KEY MEN
Newport’s Dolan has been a key player for the Exiles this season with seven goals and three assists to his name.
Scott Twine also has six goals and has created the most goals for his side this season with seven assists.
Padraig Amond has also got six goals this season and Joss Labadie ha five goals to his name.
Carlos Gomes is Morecambe’s top scorer this season with 15 goals to his name while Cole Stockton is close behind him on 13.
Morecambe also have former Cardiff and Shrewsbury midfielder Aaron Wildig in the squad and he has chipped in with nine goals for the Shrimps this season.
John O’Sullivan and Adam Phillips both have six assists for their side this season.
THE FINAL
There could be goals in this game as Morecambe have not had a goalless draw in their last 82 games.
Both sides have players throughout the team who could score at any time and it promises to be another exciting game.
Newport’s play-off final experience in 2019 may give them the edge over their opponents but Monday’s game will be a one-off occasion.
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