Lancaster City 7-2 Morecambe XI

Lancaster City continued their free-scoring start to pre-season by sweeping aside a young Morecambe XI at Giant Axe on Tuesday night.
Terry Cummings on the ball for Lancaster. Picture: Tony NorthTerry Cummings on the ball for Lancaster. Picture: Tony North
Terry Cummings on the ball for Lancaster. Picture: Tony North

Several new faces made significant impacts for Phil Brown’s men with former AFC Blackpool man Charlie Waters on target twice.

Oliver Crolla, Terry Cummings, Billy Akrigg, Ricky Mercer and Jacob Gregory also scored for the hosts.

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Steve Yawson and Kyle Hawley’s goals ensured the Shrimps academy players, led by Stewart Drummond and former City boss Neil Wainwright, had something to show for their efforts.

Lancaster City's Billy Akrigg battles with Morecambe's Joe Nelligan. Picture: Tony NorthLancaster City's Billy Akrigg battles with Morecambe's Joe Nelligan. Picture: Tony North
Lancaster City's Billy Akrigg battles with Morecambe's Joe Nelligan. Picture: Tony North

It was an uphill task for the youngsters from the off though as within a minute ex-Clitheroe man Louis Mayers floated a ball to the far post for Crolla to finish with a thunderous low volley.

On the quarter hour mark it was two as Gav Clark returned an overhit corner into the box only for Jacob Davis’ shot to be saved by Niall Maher but Cummings was on hand to poke home.

The chances kept coming for Brown’s Blues with Dan Shearwood and Akrigg both firing over, the latter after a superb flowing move, before Clark fizzed a shot wide.

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A one-two between Cummings and Mayers then set up an effort for the latter that was blocked.

Lancaster City's Billy Akrigg battles with Morecambe's Joe Nelligan. Picture: Tony NorthLancaster City's Billy Akrigg battles with Morecambe's Joe Nelligan. Picture: Tony North
Lancaster City's Billy Akrigg battles with Morecambe's Joe Nelligan. Picture: Tony North

His next shot brought about the third goal 10 minutes before the break, Mayers again denied but Akrigg was on hand to roll the ball into the bottom corner.

Morecambe had their moments at the other end, Paul Dawson cutting inside neatly before dragging his shot wide.

It was Yawson who got his name on the scoresheet and reduced the arrears, converting a free header just before the break after a cross had come over from the left.

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Off the bench Waters was straight into the action in the second period, beating three men and squaring to the returning Simon Wills who was denied by Maher.

Waters’ own attempt from inside the box was also kept out with Morecambe having to settle for half chances at the other end.

City’s fourth came 20 minutes from time, a deep free-kick from Ben Hudson, back from a lengthy hernia layoff, headed into the far corner by Mercer.

Waters had his first shortly after, capitalising on The Shrimps squandering possession he drove at the defence before drilling in low and hard for a deserved place on the scoresheet.

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To their credit Morecambe hit back, Hawley slotting home after being played through on goal.

Lancaster’s sixth was the pick of the bunch from Gregory, the wide man pulling the ball down on his chest after a clearance and unleashing a rocket into the top corner with no backlift. Waters then doubled his tally and completed the scoring, slamming home after some pinball in the box for City’s seventh.

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