Morecambe 3, Grimsby Town 1: great home form continues

Morecambe maintained their excellent run of form at the Mazuma Stadium as they came from behind to pick up another valuable three points to beat manager less Grimsby Town.
Morecambe boss Derek AdamsMorecambe boss Derek Adams
Morecambe boss Derek Adams

Two goals from Carlos Mendes-Gomes and an injury time strike from Adam Phillips gave the Shrimps the points after they trailed 1-0 at the break from a Matty Pollock header.

Shrimps’ boss Derek Adams was forced into one change from the side that won so well at Colchester with John O’Sullivan ruled out and Jordan Slew recalled after his three match ban.

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And there was little post festive cheer in the opening stages as both sides struggled to make any headway in the swirling wind and rain.

The first effort of any note came on 17 minutes when Kyle Bennett tried his luck from 25 yards out with a shot from the left hand side that flew well wide of the Morecambe goal.

Bennett was soon in the thick of things again though as he played a major role in Grimsby’s opening goal on 21 minutes. The winger delivered a superb inswinging corner that caught out

Morecambe keeper Mark Halstead who could only parry the ball into the centre of his goal and Pollock was well placed to head from home six yards out.

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The home side threatened briefly when Slew’s cross was cleared at the far post by Luke Hendrie with Mendes-Gomes lurking.

Bennett went close to a second with a shot from the edge of the box on 31 minutes that Halstead tipped around the corner at full stretch.

After a poor first half the Shrimps started the second period much sharper with a long range free kick from Adam Phillips forcing a clumsy save from James McKeown before the home side levelled on 58 minutes.

Slew found some space down the right and produced a left wing cross to the far post that was met by Mendes-Gomes who scored from close range.

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The goal gave the home side a clear lift as they looked much more comfortable going forward. Cole Stockton was inches away from connecting with Ryan Cooney’s dangerous right wing cross and McKeown again had to be alert to tip over a swirling Phillips free kick that bounced awkwardly in the box.

Morecambe’s pressure paid off when they added a second on 71 minutes when Stockton did well to roll his marker and produce a low cross for Mendes-Gomes to slot home his second of the game from close range.

Grimsby then came back strongly with caretaker boss Ben Davies made a number of changes and the visitors should have levelled on 83 minutes when Morecambe keeper Halstead spilled a long range George Williams free kick but somehow the Mariners could not force the ball over the line.

They were made to pay dearly for the miss when Morecambe added a third two minutes into added time.

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A Grimsby free kick was blocked and with bodies pushed forward Morecambe took advantage with Mendes-Gomes turning provider for Phillips to beat McKeown when put through on goal.

Morecambe: Halstead, Cooney,Lavelle, Davis, Hendrie, Song’o, Wildig, Mendes-Gomes, Phillips, Slew (rep Diagouraga 86), Stockton. Subs not used: Turner, Kenyon, Leitch-Smith, McAlinden, Knight-Percival.

Grimsby: McKeown, Hendrie, Waterfall, Pollock, Preston, Hewitt, Clifton, Jackson (rep Gibson 68), Morais (rep Tilley 77), Green (rep Williams 77), Bennett (rep Edwards 72). Subs not used: Russell, Rose, Spokes.

Ref: D Bourne.