Morecambe goalkeeper Archie Mair has admitted that he is “reasonably happy” with his form since joining the club on loan from Norwich City amid a tight playoff race in League Two.
The young shot-stopper knows a thing or two about earning promotion, having saved two penalties in the shootout of the National League playoff final for Notts County in the previous campaign against Chesterfield to help steer the Magpies back to the fourth tier for the first time since 2019.
Mair had not been Luke Williams’ first-choice goalkeeper at County, often playing second-fiddle to Sam Slocombe. However, following the latter’s injury in the final last May, the Norwich academy product came on as a late substitute to save the day.
Having returned to the Canaries from his loan spell at Meadow Lane, the 23-year-old was sent straight back out to another non-league outfit — this time Gateshead. Nevertheless, after 25 appearances and seven clean sheets with the Tynesiders, Mair was recalled and went directly to Morecambe.
The Shrimps are currently locked in a tense race for promotion to League One and sit one point behind seventh place which is occupied by Gillingham. Following a disappointing home defeat against Wrexham on Saturday, Ged Brannan’s men have a chance to get back to winning ways with a victory tonight away at Newport County.
Speaking to club media after Saturday’s loss at the Mazuma Stadium, Mair stated that the side are hoping to put a run together to stake their claim for a stop amongst the league’s top seven by the end of the campaign [quotes via Pink Un]:
“There are lots of points to play for. The boys will recover and be ready to go again. I think we have 10 games left and we are hoping to be right up there and put a run together.
“I’m reasonably happy with my form. We’ve been on a good run. [Wrexham] was my 11th or 12th game and we’ve only lost three, so I am looking to carry that on as much as I can,” Mair said.
“But personally it is about the collective and helping the team to kick on. I’m really enjoying it. It is nice to be pushing for play-offs and winning games and long may it continue.”
Writer’s View
After spending practically an entire year learning his trade in non-league, Norwich City clearly felt Mair needed a step-up in quality, hence why he was recalled from Gateshead after a decent spell and sent back out on loan to Morecambe.
And it’s been a solid stint for the goalkeeper since moving to the Shrimps. Mair will be disappointed with his lack of clean sheets, having kept only two in 12 league matches, while conceding 16 goals but an unprecedented playoff push and possible second-consecutive promotion would look very nice on his CV once he returns to Carrow Road in the summer.
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