Mainy’s Verdict: Shrimps win phenomenal game at Mazuma with 3-2 win over Lincoln City

Sky Bet League 1

Morecambe 3-2 Lincoln City

Stockton 50,86 Sørensen 30

Niasse 66 Virtue 48

Morecambe came from behind to beat Lincoln City 3-2 in what was a crucial win for Derek Adams’ side in the League 1 relegation battle.

A defeat would’ve all but seen the Shrimps relegated due to MK Dons’ superior goal difference.

Lasse Sørensen put the visitors in front in the first half, before Matty Virtue doubled their advantage early in the second half.

However, Morecambe mounted a successful comeback with two goals from Cole Stockton and a goal from Oumar Niasse.

Derek Adams’ side played some good football early on but chances were few and far between in the first half hour. Jensen Weir came closest but his shot was saved on 29 minutes and shortly afterwards, Lincoln went in front when Sørensen latched onto the end of a good ball and poked the ball in the bottom-left corner.

The Imps could’ve doubled their lead three minutes before half time when Danny Mandriou brought about an excellent aerial save from Connor Ripley.

Three minutes into the second half, Mark Kennedy’s side did double their lead when Ryan Cooney was beaten on the left by Olamide Shodipo and he squared it to Virtue who buried the ball in the bottom left corner.

But moments later, the Shrimps got a goal back when Stockton beat the ‘keeper off his line on the half volley with the ball going into the top right corner.

Ten minutes later, Morecambe should’ve equalised through Daniel Crowley but he took one too many touches and his shot hit the post.

On 66 minutes, the hosts did equalise when Niasse got his head on the end of Jake Taylor’s long ball forward and it looped over Lincoln ‘keeper Carl Rushworth to put the two sides on level terms.

11 minutes later, Lincoln came very close to going back in front when Paudie O’Connor hit the bar but it was Morecambe who took the lead on 86 minutes when Ash Hunter’s excellent free kick into the box was met by the head of Stockton, sending the home fans wild.

Talking points

One hell of a game with lots of twists and turns

With an almost sell out crowd and a very much hyped up game, I had a funny feeling we were going to be in for a cracker and that turned out to be the case. We started the game well, playing good football but not creating many chances and our heads dropped a little after Lincoln took the lead. They got another early in the second half and we looked down and out but the never say die attitude got us through and a very spirited performance and some well crafted goals got us back in the game. Where has this fight been all season?!

Cole Stockton had a cracking game and has hit form at the perfect time

Cole Stockton was impressive. Despite having his shirt pulled left, right and centre, he held the ball up really well and linked up with his fellow forwards well. He was excellent in the air, took his goals really well and could’ve potentially had a hat-trick. He’s starting to put himself in the shop window come the summer potentially?

The Shrimps live to fight another day

A defeat would’ve seen us pretty much relegated, and the desire we showed to come from behind was amazing and I’ve got a funny feeling we’re going to do the impossible you know… A HUGE game next week.

Morecambe: Ripley, Cooney (Niasse 63), Bedeau, Rawson, Melbourne (Taylor 45), Austerfield, Gibson, Weir (Delaney 90), Crowley (Hunter 67), Gnahoua (Shaw 89), Stockton.

Booked: Austerfield, Crowley and Stockton.

Subs not used: Smith and Simeu

Lincoln City: Rushworth, Poole, O’Connor, Roughan, Sørensen, Virtue (Makama 89), Erhahon, Boyes (Duffy 89), Shodipo (Sanders 62), House, Mândriou (Plange 90+10).

Booked: Poole, Virtue, Erhahon.

Subs not used: Eyoma, Long, Gallagher.

Attendance: 5,769

Mainy’s Verdict: Shrimps give their all but it wasn’t to be against Plymouth Argyle

Sky Bet League 1

Morecambe 1-3 Plymouth Argyle

Weir 3 Mayor 63 Waine 86 Matete 90+3

Morecambe dropped to 23rd in League 1 following a 3-1 defeat to Plymouth Argyle at the Mazuma Stadium today – their third straight defeat.

Jensen Weir gave Derek Adams’ side an early lead but Plymouth fought back with goals from substitutes Danny Mayor, Ben Waine and Jay Matete.

Plymouth threatened right from the very beginning, with James Wilson’s close range effort saved, before Morecambe hit Argyle on the break and Dan Crowley played through Weir who charged forward with the ball and beat the ‘keeper in the bottom left corner.

Notable chances were few and far between after that, until Joe Edwards’ header was deflected just over the bar on the end of an impressive cross on 39 minutes and just before half time, Wilson’s long-range strike went just wide of the mark.

Morecambe’s best chance of the second half came when Josh Austerfield played through Cole Stockton but his shot was saved by Callum Burton in the 55th minute.

Plymouth got back into the game on 63 minutes when Mayor cut inside from the left and curled the ball into the bottom-right corner.

The hosts could’ve regained their lead when Donald Love’s powerful effort went wide 20 minutes later.

The visitors went in front on 86 minutes when Pape Souare lost the ball to Matete and he squared it to Waine who slotted home from close range.

Steven Schumacher’s side got their winner in the third minute of added time, when they hit the Shrimps on the break and Callum Wright played through Matete who buried the ball in the bottom-left corner to seal the win.

The result sees Plymouth Argyle move up to top spot.

Talking points

For the first 60 minutes we were in control but Plymouth were simply more clinical

We took our goal really well and while I don’t believe we deserved to be in front at the break, we defended well and nullified the attacking threat that Plymouth posed. However, Plymouth got back into the game and made good use of their substitutes unlike us. We made our subs way too late, and it’s quite clear that Plymouth used their subs to their advantage given that all three of their goals were scored by substitutes. The visitors were simply more clinical in front of goal, and the lapses in concentration certainly cost us.

Dan Crowley and Pape Souare both impressed for the Shrimps

I thought Dan Crowley and Pape Souare both had excellent games today. Crowley got an assist very early on, and he did well to drive play going forward. Souare was good both defensively and going forward and apart from the mistake he made for their second goal he could’ve got man of the match. Arguably his best game in a Morecambe shirt. It was a shame the same couldn’t be said for his fellow full-back’s performance though..

The quality of officiating was poor and some may argue cost us the game

I thought the referee had a really poor game. He gave a lot of decisions against us, and it appeared to be that even with the softest of touches he would give decisions against us. In the first half, there was a key decision from the linesman that may well have changed the game. Stockton appeared to be through but potentially in an offside position so he left the ball to Crowley and then it was given offside. However, Stockton didn’t appear to touch the ball so I was a bit shocked that it was given offside. If that decision wasn’t given we could’ve scored a second and maybe gone on to win the game but that’s football for you!

Morecambe: Ripley, Love, Rawson, Simeu (Niasse 90), Delaney, Souare (Mayor 90), Austerfield, Gibson, Weir, Crowley (Watts 71), Stockton.

Booked: Rawson and Austerfield.

Subs not used: Smith, Taylor, Gnahoua, Cooney.

Plymouth Argyle: Burton, Wilson, Scarr, Galloway, Edwards (Mumba 75), Houghton (Matete 84), Butcher (Mayor 57), Miller (C Wright 75), T Wright, Cosgrove (Waine 56), Hardie.

Booked: Edwards and Matete.

Subs not used: Lonwijk and Parkes.

Attendance: 4,904