Liverpool Sefton Men’s 2s 3     Morecambe Men’s 1s 5

Morecambe made the trip to Liverpool for their away fixture against Liverpool Sefton, a destination that has provided plenty of drama and mixed fortunes for Morecambe in recent years.

Morecambe were without key players, Steve Goodwin and Matthew Seddon and consequently Gordon Davidson and Luke Heap returned to the squad.

In blustery conditions, Liverpool Sefton started the game strongly, pushing Morecambe on to the back foot. The home side started well and created a number of good chances.  Determined runs down the flanks, resulted in some excellent crosses that Morecambe struggled to deal with and were lucky to escape being punished.

Morecambe tried to get into the game, but struggled to produce the free-flowing passing play that has contributed towards their recent victories.

Liverpool Sefton managed to earn themselves a number of penalty corners and it was from one of these that the first goal came, when the ball was struck into the bottom corner of the net.

The introduction of Heap changed the game for Morecambe and it was some good work from the forward who left the defenders standing, before his deflected pass found Phil Molyneux in the circle. Molyneux still had work to do and he made no mistake, skilfully dribbling to the byline, before finishing from a tight angle to equalise.

Morecambe persevered and managed to get a grip on the contest, which was turning into a scrappy affair, as both sides battled for possession.  They took the lead, when a goalkeeping error allowed Heap to finish coolly into an empty goal.

Morecambe’s tails were up and after a period of pressure they asserted themselves further with a slick set piece as Rob Pritchard hit home.  His powerful completion of a penalty corner left the Sefton ‘keeper no chance.

Skipper Matt Wright’s half time team talk focused on consolidation, and warned that the home side would come out reinvigorated.  His prediction was to be proved accurate as Sefton hauled themselves back into the contest when Craig Allison hesitated at the back, his clearance hitting an oncoming attacker and cruelly beating Morecambe goalkeeper Jack Lennon.

After the restart, Morecambe found their feet quickly and soon regained their two goal advantage.  Pritchard made the most of a defensive error, drawing in Sefton’s backline before unselfishly finding his strike partner Molyneux.  Morecambe’s leading scorer struck the post with his shot, but in the ensuing melee Crabtree found Heap with a seemingly perfect pass. And the confident forward found the space to finish expertly, for his second of the match.

The game came to a temporary halt soon afterwards as defensive midfielder Andrew Crabtree suffered one of the perils of the sport, as a stray opposition stick found the top of his head.  The resulting injury saw the young player taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment.

After a ten minute stoppage, the game was put out of Sefton’s reach when Molyneux made a powerful run into the home side’s territory.  In typical style, he skilfully found his way into the circle, before unleashing a trademark reverse strike for Morecambe’s fifth.

Sefton would strike once more late on in the game, but Morecambe were not to be denied another vital three points.  The race for promotion continues.

Morecambe Men’s 1s: J. Lennon, S. Mounsey, I. Burstow, M. Wright (capt), C. Allison, A. Crabtree, M. Sambell, J. Davidson, N. Davey, R. Pritchard, P. Molyneux.

Subs. J. Belshire, L. Heap, G. Davidson.

Man of the Match: Luke Heap.

Matchball sponsor: Duncan Hall Financial Planning Services.

As dusk fell and turned to night in Cockermouth, Morecambe started rather more brightly than the floodlights of which only half worked. The Morecambe defence and midfield quickly took full control of the game with good interplay forcing Keswick onto the back foot.

Keswick had to rely on stout defending and desperate clearances out of defence as Morecambe continually drove forward. All that was lacking was the final touch and by half time the game was disappointingly still level when Morecambe should have been three or more up.

The second half started in similar vain though Keswick began to find a better balance as Morecambe’s midfield began to tire.

Against the run of play a foul led to a firm strike into the D which collected a Keswick stick deflection en route and shot into the top corner before the Morecambe goalkeeper had time to flinch.

Undeterred Morecambe strove forward and quickly equalised as a quick turn and pass in the D gave George Elley the opening to sweep the ball home.

Still with the majority of possession Morecambe should have gone on to wrap the game up but it was Keswick who found a rare gap in defence to put them ahead.

With one of the most frugal defences in the division but the lowest scoring team, Morecambe need to start finding the openings up front if they are to achieve a top three finish which should be within their grasp.

Saturday 21st January 2012

Morecambe Ladies 1sts 9 - 0 Blackburn Northern Ladies 1sts

Sponsored by Morecambe Press

In their first fixture since 10th December, Morecambe were
understandably a little rusty and took a little time to find their
feet.
The message from injured captain Ali Standeven was to not take
too many risks in the first ten minutes and have confidence in
possession, which is how Morecambe started the game. Morecambe were
knocking the ball around very well through the midfield, but didn't
make enough of the possession to create many clear cut chances in
attack. A slight lapse in concentration after 10 minutes let Blackburn
break into the D and only a fantastic display from goalkeeper Lawson
kept Morecambe's clean sheet. This was the wake up call needed and
Morecambe responded very positively. Only 5 minutes later they found
the back of the net through striker Rogerson. Blackburn responded well
and immediately attacked Morecambe's D, but again keeper Lawson was on
hand to keep them out. A brace from "Man of the match" Broadfield soon
followed taking Morecambe into the break 3-0 up.

Into the second half and Morecambe were well into their stride now,
terrorising Blackburn's defence and gaining numerous penalty corners,
one of which was superbly deflected into the roof of the net by Johns.
Lawson could now take a well earned break as she was barely called
into action between the sticks, and the defensive pairing of Bowman
and Winder didn't let their concentration wane despite being virtual
spectators in the second half. A second goal from Rogerson from an
amazingly acute angle and another 2 from Broadfield soon followed.
Unfortunately for Blackburn, Morecambe didn't let up and Blackburn's
goalkeeper had a torrid time despite her best efforts. After a
constant barrage of pressure Johns grabbed her second and Garnett
smashed home the ninth goal putting the final nail in the coffin for
Blackburn.
With only a minute left Blackburn won a penalty corner which captain
Johns was not about to give up Morecambe's clean sheet for and it was
superbly defended.

A vital 3 points with the top two teams in the league also winning,
but the +9 goals not only helping their goal difference, but also
doing Morecambe's confidence some good going into a difficult tie away
to Clitheroe next Saturday.

Team: J Lawson, H Winder, K Bowman, P Fawcett, J Knowles, S Garnett, D
Hurd, G Burnside, H Johns (Capt), D Williams, A Broadfield, C Rogerson

Man of the match: Amanda Broadfield

Team Sponsor: Morecambe Press

Ball Sponsor: Duncan Hall Financial Services

Therefore, Junior Training is CANCELLED tomorrow.

Morecambe got off to the perfect start to the second half of the season with a convincing home win.  Without finding their very best form Morecambe proved too good for the visitors and earned another vital three points.

The home side had the advantage right from the off, pressuring and isolating any South Lakes player in possession and moving the ball quickly through midfield.  Steve Goodwin looked dangerous in the attacking line whilst captain Matthew Wright ensured things were kept organised at the back.  Morecambe dominated possession and generated goal scoring opportunities; midfielder Nick Davey forced the visiting ‘keeper into a save whilst the normally clinical striker Phil Molyneux surprised everyone when he missed a golden opportunity from close range.

Wright and sweeper Iain Burstow were involved high up the pitch as Morecambe piled on the pressure and some textbook running allowed skilful winger Matthew Seddon to drive into the circle.  Drawing defenders toward him, Seddon unselfishly put in Molyneux who would not repeat his earlier mistake, rounding the ‘keeper to finish neatly and give Morecambe the lead.

Soon afterward the move of the match saw Morecambe go from defence to attack in a matter of moments, a slick series of pinpoint passes ended with Goodwin in the circle who was crudely brought down, leaving the umpire no choice but to award the home side a penalty stroke.  Davey despatched the ball from the spot sending the ‘keeper the wrong way and finding the corner of the net.

South Lakes were not to be rolled over and Simon Mounsey made a string of good tackles.  While Jack Lennon in the Morecambe net showed his quality when he was called upon.

Morecambe emerged for the second half, determined to strike first and increase their lead over their opponents. South Lakes provided a reinvigorated response and Morecambe had to work hard to force their opening. 

Striker Robert Pritchard made a long diagonal run allowing midfielder Mike Sambell to split the defence to find him in a dangerous area.  Pritchard skilfully beat a defender before passing to Molyneux at the top of the circle.  Molyneux turned and the pace of his shot generated confusion between the South Lakes goalkeeper and a visiting defender.  Craig Allison took full advantage of their hesitation to finish into an open net from close range.

South Lakes heads seemed to go down at this point and their frustration was consolidated as they had a player sent to the sin-bin.  Morecambe played possession hockey from this point on and South Lakes were forced to watch the clock tick away with the home side in charge.

Some sloppy passing at the end allowed South Lakes to score, but it would prove to be only a consolation goal as Morecambe ran out comfortable winners.  The season continues and although Morecambe are still well placed to achieve their desired promotion, they have tough challenges ahead.

Morecambe Men’s 1s: J. Lennon, S. Mounsey, I. Burstow, M. Wright (capt), C. Allison, A. Crabtree, M. Sambell, M. Seddon, N. Davey, S. Goodwin, P. Molyneux.

Subs. J. Belshire, J. Davidson, R. Pritchard.

Matchball sponsor: Duncan Hall Financial Planning Services.

Junior Training tomorrow 15/1/2012 is cancelled. The pitch will freeze again tonight and will NOT thaw in time for training.

See you all next week!

Hayley

Morecambe Ladies 2nds   2 – Preston Ladies 4ths   1                          (10/12/11)

After the previous week’s eventful 2-0 defeat at the hands of high- flying Blackburn Northern – the match was delayed because no-one had a key to the pitch, goalkeeper Richard Pilling got his 4×4 stuck in mud, Fran Tidmarsh and Tom Wilkinson were locked in a changing room with no handle and the ball split at a penalty corner strike but a goal was given – Morecambe 3s returned to winning ways against Blackpool.

Despite languishing at the foot of the table, Blackpool played with real quality and spirit and the first half was goalless. However, Morecambe’s Charles ‘Pike’ Ingham broke the deadlock after intricate passing between Andy Bevington and Andy Pilling created an opening. Then, evergreen centre back Fran Tidmarsh turned back time by racing out of Morecambe’s D to meet a perfectly weighted ball from Pike on the right wing. Still running at top speed he then smacked the ball to Andy Pilling on the edge of the Blackpool D and Andy calmly drilled the ball into goal for what was to be the winning goal.

Blackpool responded with a fiercely hit penalty corner strike into the corner of stand-in keeper Phil Savage’s goal but the 3s nipped any hope of a home equaliser in the bud by defending high up the pitch in the final minutes.

Steve Southworth gave yet another solid performance alongside Fran without any of those rare mistakes which have harshly earned him the knickname “Santa Steve”. In fact, this victory underlined the whole side’s improvement this season which has resulted in several players being promoted to the 2s.

Junior Training commences this Sunday 8th January at the University of Cumbria Astro Turf

10.30-11.30am (£2)

Hope to see all of you there!!

Hayley