Talking Points: Ruthless Morecambe put five past AFC Wimbledon

Reporter Adam Lord takes a closer look at Morecambe's 5-2 win at AFC Wimbledon.
Tom Barkhuizen lobs home his goal at AFC Wimbledon.Tom Barkhuizen lobs home his goal at AFC Wimbledon.
Tom Barkhuizen lobs home his goal at AFC Wimbledon.

Barkhuizen brilliance key to counter attacks

Most of Morecambe’s attacking talent have had their slice of the plaudits in recent weeks but one man is key to the way The Shrimps have counter attacked. Tom Barkhuizen has the kind of pace that any side wants and that any side hates playing against. But there is more to his game than a blistering turn of speed with a man who Blackpool deployed as a right back at times last season proving he has more than an eye for goal with his tally up to seven for the season. On Saturday he could have had even more with the wide man showing great awareness to feed Paul Mullin for Morecambe’s fifth having done the hard work of getting in behind and rounding goalkeeper James Shea. His development is a credit to Jim Bentley, something Barkhuizen is quick to point out. He was far from his best during a month on loan with The Shrimps last season but arrived at the Globe Arena having barely played any football. Now he is being given that chance Morecambe are reaping the rewards.

Miller’s hot streak goes on with two more

Like Barkhuizen, Shaun Miller simply needed a chance. Having struggled to find game time since a serious knee injury at Sheffield United the striker needed some faith shown in him. His class was evident from moment one, linking play well and being an expert foil for the undoubted attacking talent in behind him in Bentley’s preferred 4-2-3-1 system. Like all front men though he simply needed a goal. Once he got that, in defeat to Bristol Rovers, the floodgates opened and the 35-yarder at Wimbledon was a magical moment to cap a memorable couple of weeks. With both Miller and Barkhuizen looking set to roar into double figures who knows what could be possible?

Akinfenwa deserves place as League 2’s box office act

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Adebayo Akinfenwa is League 2’s celebrity front man and even in defeat showed just why he has picked up that tag. Larger than life in more ways than one, the veteran front man’s footballing merits are often forgotten. The Beast showed excellent touch on the ground on Saturday to go alongside his obvious talents in the air and holding the ball up. With Lyle Taylor alongside him and Tom Elliott coming on from the bench it will have been one of Andy Parrish and Ryan Edwards’ tougher afternoons this season but with support around them the pair stood up to it well. Morecambe may have shipped two goals in each of their last two away defeats but with a clean sheet against Bury before that the defensive efforts in the last couple of weeks shouldn’t be underestimated, their management of Akinfenwa testament to that.

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