Shrimps get better of Shrimpers again as Morecambe win at Roots Hall
Two second-half goals gave Morecambe a comeback win against Southend and maintained their incredible run of results over the Shrimpers.
The Shrimps conceded an early goal as Southend found the target for the first time in the league this season.
But they hit back with two well-worked goals to take the points and move up to fifth in the early League Two table.
It was a victory that maintained the Shrimps’ remarkable record against their rivals with their 10th win in 11 league games over the Roots Hall club.
Boss Derek Adams made six changes to the side that lost to Newcastle with left-back Liam Gibson handed a debut and Alex Kenyon selected to make his 250th appearance for the club.
But the changes made little difference in the opening stages as Southend took the lead after just five minutes.
Brandon Goodship’s left-footed shot was diverted on to the crossbar by Morecambe goalkeeper Jake Turner but, with Emile Acquah looking to certain to score, defender Gibson jumped in to head the ball into the back of his own net.
After a shaky start Morecambe went on the offensive.
Carlos Mendes-Gomes headed a Kenyon cross over from the edge of the box and Wildig forced Oxley into a smart save low to his left with a dangerous free-kick from wide on the left.
John O’Sullivan flashed an effort wide of the target in the final stages of the half as the Shrimps ended a frustrating first 45 minutes on top.
The game changed after the break with two quality goal from the Shrimps.
But the first came from Wildig on 56 minutes when he ran through from midfield to get on to the end of a quality right-wing cross from Phillips for his second goal of the season.
It was Phillips who then went on to win the game for the. Shrimps. Southend gave the ball away cheaply and the Morecambe counter-attacked at pace.
John O’Sullivan took the ball down the right and squared a perfect ball for the on-loan Burnley man to produce a cool finish to slam the ball into the roof of the Southend net for his second league goal of the season.
Southend pressed for a leveller but the Shrimps held firm with some brave blocks to clinch their second successive away league win of the season.
Southend: Oxley, Bwomono, Hobson, R Taylor, Ralph, Egbri (Rush 81), Demetriou, K Taylor, Green (Kelman 50), Acquah (Clifford 64), Goodship. Subs not used: Seaden, Gard, Lennon.
Morecambe: Turner, Cooney, Lavelle, Davis, Gibson (Mellor 65), O’Sullivan, Kenyon (Songo’o 72), Phillips, Wildig, Mendes-Gomes, Stockton (McAlinden 86). Subs not used: Halstead, Knight-Percival, Leitch-Smith, Price.
Referee: C Breakspear.