Lancaster and Morecambe Hockey Club

North West Hockey League Division Three.

Morecambe Men’s 1s 1   Timperley Men’s 2s 1

Morecambe have won the North West Division Three title, after a hard fought draw at the University of Cumbria.

Morecambe went into the game knowing that a point would be enough to secure the top spot – and Division Two hockey next season.

The home side started the game confidently and showed an outstanding workrate, as they threatened the opposition’s goal. And when possession was temporarily lost, Steve Goodwin and Nick Davey were influential in their desire to earn it back.

Morecambe might have thought they were on their way to a comfortable victory, when their early dominance paid off. A short corner resulted in Phil Molyneux drag-flicking the ball into the bottom corner of the goal to give Morecambe the advantage.

However, Morecambe were not allowed to show any complacency, as Timperley worked their way back into the game, equalising from a short corner of their own.

Morecambe steadied the ship before the interval, but went into half time knowing that there was much work to do.

At the start of the second half, Timperley looked like a different side and subjected Morecambe to wave upon wave of attacks. In the midfield, Andrew Crabtree and Mike Sambell worked hard at cutting out the early threat, whilst defenders Matt Wright, Simon Mounsey and Matt Bayley dealt confidently with the majority of Timperley’s attacking moves.

When the away side did breach the rearguard, goalkeeper Jack Lennon was on hand to make some outstanding stops, the pick of these being when he flung himself across the face of the goal to save, when the Timperley forward seemed to have a simple tap-in.

In the final stages, Joey Davidson threatened down the right, but Morecambe could not find a winning goal.

After four years in Division Three, Morecambe have worked tremendously hard, showing outstanding commitment to the cause – and fully deserve their promotion into Division Two.

Squad: M. Wright (Capt.), M. Bayley, J. Belshire, A. Crabtree, T. Crackles, N. Davey, J. Davidson, S. Goodwin, J. Lennon, P. Molyneux, S. Mounsey, R. Pritchard, M. Sambell, M. Seddon.

Man of the Match: Jack Lennon.

Match ball sponsor: Duncan Hall Financial Planning Services.

North West League Division Three     (10/3/2012)

Keswick Men’s 1s 1    Morecambe Men’s 1s 1

League leaders Morecambe, took a step closer towards the Division Three title, with an impressive draw against second place Keswick, at Cockermouth School.

Morecambe started the game strongly, pressing Keswick and creating a host of chances that they failed to take advantage of.

Keswick worked their way back into the game, and began to carve out opportunities of their own. Despite this, Morecambe’s Andy Crabtree, continued his outstanding form, stifling any threat, and goalkeeper Jack Lennon was rarely troubled.

As the half continued, Keswick began to dominate the possession, and when the ball was worked into the goalmouth, Morecambe succumbed to the pressure and conceded a penalty corner on the stroke of halftime. The away side sensed the opportunity to take the advantage, but were fortuitous to see the initial shot on goal turned back into the danger zone, and from this the ball was struck firmly into the goal.

Morecambe came out strongly in the second half and almost immediately took control of the game. And it was from a short corner that they forced the equalizer, when forward Steve Goodwin shrugged off the attentions of a Keswick defender, to smash the ball into the goal.

Morecambe now had victory in their sights and winger Matthew Seddon, was causing serious problems. His mazy runs down the left were worrying the host’s backline, and it was from his dangerous cross that Rob Pritchard could have stolen the advantage, with a diving effort that flew narrowly wide.

At the opposite end, Morecambe defended well and Matt Wright snuffed out the threat of the Keswick attack.

In the dying seconds of the game, a goalmouth scramble led to the ball falling at the feet of Mike Sambell. However, the midfielder – who has been one of the season’s standout performers – saw his effort saved on the line.

Morecambe still need a point against Timperley Men’s 2s, on Saturday, to secure the Division Three title.

Squad: M. Wright (Capt.), C. Allison, M. Bayley, J. Belshire, A. Crabtree, T. Crackles, N. Davey, S. Goodwin, J. Lennon, P. Molyneux, S. Mounsey, R. Pritchard, M. Sambell, M. Seddon.

Man of the Match: Andrew Crabtree.

Match Ball Sponsor: Duncan Hall Financial Planning Services Limited.

North West League Division Three   (3/3/2012)

Lymm Men’s 1s 1    Morecambe Men’s 1s 2

Morecambe bounced back from last week’s defeat to Blackpool 1s, with a stunning comeback at Lymm.

Morecambe were made to weather the early storm, as the home side applied the pressure, forcing them to defend frantically and restricting the visitors to rare breaks. The Morecambe defence, consisting of Captain Matt Wright, Simon Mounsey and Matt Bayley, worked in combination with deep midfielder Andy Crabtree, to keep the attackers at bay.

But, the pressure finally took its toll, when the visitors fell behind, as further Lymm attacks were rewarded with a penalty stroke, when the ball struck a Morecambe foot on its way towards goal – and the ball was coolly dispatched from the spot.

Morecambe continued to work at alleviating the pressure and managed to apply some of their own, earning a number of penalty corners, from which they were unlucky not to force an equaliser.

However, in the last action of the first half, Morecambe were awarded another penalty corner, and they kept their cool to complete a neat inter change, before midfielder, Matthew Seddon, slotted the ball into the goal.

With the scores level at half time, Morecambe focused on claiming victory and as the game opened up, began to enjoy more of the play. Midfielder, Mike Sambell was allowed a little more freedom in the middle of the pitch and managed to play a vital role in keeping possession.

Forward, Steve Goodwin, playing in a deeper role, managed to harry the Lymm midfield and prevent danger, whilst also setting up breakaway attacks.

And it was from another short corner that Morecambe took the lead, when the ball finally broke to Sambell, who tucked it past the Lymm goalkeeper.

As time ticked on, Lymm were awarded a number of short corners, but once again the Morecambe defence held firm, forcing Lymm to waste the opportunities.

Jack Lennon, in the Morecambe goal, made a number of outstanding saves to keep the visitors on top in a frantic last few minutes.

And defender, John Belshire, replacing the injured Mounsey in the latter stages, played his part in ensuring the Lymm attack was kept at bay, as Morecambe made sure of a crucial win.

Morecambe could secure the North West League Division Three top spot, with victory over rivals Keswick 1s, next week.

Squad: M. Wright (Capt.), C. Allison, M. Bayley, J. Belshire, A. Crabtree, N. Davey, S. Goodwin, L. Heap, J. Lennon, P. Molyneux, S. Mounsey, R. Pritchard, M. Sambell, M. Seddon.

Man of the Match: Jack Lennon.

Match Ball Sponsor: Duncan Hall Financial Planning Services Ltd.

North West League Division Three

Morecambe Men’s 1s 1   Blackpool Men’s 1s 4

Morecambe saw their unbeaten home record disappear, as Blackpool dented their title-winning hopes, at the University of Cumbria.

Morecambe came into the game with confidence running high, after recent high-scoring wins saw them climb to the summit of the table. And the home side started well, as they took the game to Blackpool in the opening stages.

It was Morecambe who took the lead, when Craig Allison completed a free-flowing move to continue his recent good form in front of goal. And when Nick Davey hit the post minutes later, Morecambe looked as if they would soon be extending their advantage.

However, Blackpool found their feet and two breakaway goals in quick succession saw Morecambe’s lead reversed.

Morecambe quickly came back into the game, but despite pushing for an equaliser, they ended the half a goal down.

Morecambe continued to press after half time, but the goal would not come, despite Phil Molyneux’s efforts, as Blackpool barricaded their goal.

The visitors were restricted to more breakaway attacks, and Andy Crabtree and Matt Wright kept the Blackpool front men quiet, by intercepting potential key passes.

However, Blackpool kept coming and it was from one of these attacks that they won a short corner, from which they scored their third goal, after confusing the Morecambe defence with some slick passing. This was a killer blow for Morecambe and soon after, the points were made safe, with Blackpool winning a second short corner and finishing coolly after another neat passing move.

Morecambe remain at the top of the table, but they have matches against top teams in the coming weeks that they must win, if they are to remain in the top spot.

Squad: M. Wright (Capt.), C. Allison, M. Bayley, I. Burstow, A. Crabtree, N. Davey, S. Goodwin, L. Heap, J. Lennon, P. Molyneux, S. Mounsey, R. Pritchard, M. Sambell, M. Seddon.

Man of the Match: Andy Crabtree and Matt Wright.

Match Ball Sponsor: Duncan Hall Financial Planning Services Limited.