It was the first game of the season and everyone was looking forward to it. Confidence is high in Morecambe's side and it certainly proved in this encounter. However, it wasn't going to their day as Wyre proved to a difficult side to break down who came to get a point with a very defensive display.
Despite all the possession, Morecambe didn't really create any clear cut chances but did hit the bar twice. Most of the opportunities were from distance which were easily dealt with by the keeper, other chances were denied by Wyre's linesman who made dubious offside decisions when strikers John Frizzle and Russell Moore were played through.
When they did break through, they were denied by the woodwork. Will Huntington's corner was met with a bullet header by Adam Bell, which crashed against the top of the crossbar. It was to be the story of the match as the final third continued to be the problem. William Swan-Bell then hit the bar with a cross in the second half as Morecambe continued to press for a winner.
Wyre did have chances of their own however, Scott Gough managing to clear the danger on one occasion and goalkeeper Liam Marshall making a great save on another. Apart from that, Wyre didn't look threatening with Morecambe's defence looking comfortable.
Despite the draw, it was a very encouraging display by Morecambe. The defence looked solid through out and the midfield were in full control in the middle of the park. Dan Jackson and Sam Hallam particularly looking strong in the middle. The front line made some good runs in the first half but this then petered out in the second half. Their creativity was also a bit too central as, on a few occasions, chances were wasted while wingers were free with a lot of space.
Man of the Match: Adam Bell - His work rate was unquestionable, constantly running up and down the wing from left-back. Very comfortable at defending and always a threat in attack. Unlucky not to score with his header.
Sunday 31 August 2008
Saturday 16 August 2008
First home game of the season
Rotherham United cruised to the 3 points in the first home game of the season for Morecambe thanks to 3 excellent goals and a commanding performance by Pablo Mills in the centre of midfield. The Millers were full of confidence after their penalty shoot-out victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in midweek and this showed through out. On the other hand, The Shrimps lacked in most departments and resorted to the long ball which was easily coped with by the Yorkshire men's defence.
Ex-Manchester United graduate Mark Lynch opened the scoring on 8 minutes when he cut inside of left-back Danny Adams and curled an effort over Keeper Barry Roache into the top right hand corner. Adams was at fault as Lynch cutting inside could be clearly seen by everyone but he still managed to fall for it. The goal was deserved as the Miller's had totally controlled the game, with them using the space effectively as McIlroy played the strange formation of one winger and 3 centre midfielders once again. Lynch and winger Rueben Reid were the main culprits to take advantage of this as they caused havoc all afternoon.
The second goal for Rotherham came on 40 minutes and was a piece of class football with slick passing that once again sliced open the shrimps defence which had happened through out Morecambe's preseason matches. Pablo Mills started the move once again as he did in the first goal when he found Reid, he played it inside to Mark Hudson, who split the defence open with the simplest of passes and youngster Ryan Taylor had got on the wrong side of centre-back David Artell. He bent it round the despairing dive of Roache to put Rotherham in an even more comfortable position coming towards halftime.
McIlroy put Wayne Curtis on at halftime which gave the Shrimps a more balanced look. Both wingers for Morecambe, Curtis and Neil Wainwright caused problems all day for both fullbacks and this is where Morecambe's solitary goal came from on 77 minutes. Curtis' deep cross was not dealt with by Rotherham's defence and Wainwright turned the ball home at the back post. Morecambe's pressure continued but the Miller's weren't troubled as they searched for an equaliser in vain.
Their hopes were shattered in the last minute when Lynch scored a carbon copy of the first as once again he cut inside the poor Danny Adams far too easily to curl the ball home and to the visitors the 3 points.
I was impressed with Rotherham's performance especially Pablo Mills. Others that shined were Rueben Reid and Mark Lynch, and I'm sure if they perform like that they will be able to stay up despite their minus 17 points. If Mills can control games like today, he can give quality service for players like Reid to perform. However for Morecambe, poor performances by Adams and Parrish will need to be rectified by putting in solid fan favourites, Michael Howard and Adam Yates which would bring more attacking full-backs who are also very solid defensively. Matty Blinkhorn was also poor as he was outmuscled far too often and so O'Carrol deserves to come in. Michael Twiss and Craig Stanley aslo need to come in as they create opportunities. Twiss especially hasn't done anything wrong to not even be in the squad and he is still good enough if Sammy plays him in the right position.
A well earned 3 points for Rotherham.
Ex-Manchester United graduate Mark Lynch opened the scoring on 8 minutes when he cut inside of left-back Danny Adams and curled an effort over Keeper Barry Roache into the top right hand corner. Adams was at fault as Lynch cutting inside could be clearly seen by everyone but he still managed to fall for it. The goal was deserved as the Miller's had totally controlled the game, with them using the space effectively as McIlroy played the strange formation of one winger and 3 centre midfielders once again. Lynch and winger Rueben Reid were the main culprits to take advantage of this as they caused havoc all afternoon.
The second goal for Rotherham came on 40 minutes and was a piece of class football with slick passing that once again sliced open the shrimps defence which had happened through out Morecambe's preseason matches. Pablo Mills started the move once again as he did in the first goal when he found Reid, he played it inside to Mark Hudson, who split the defence open with the simplest of passes and youngster Ryan Taylor had got on the wrong side of centre-back David Artell. He bent it round the despairing dive of Roache to put Rotherham in an even more comfortable position coming towards halftime.
McIlroy put Wayne Curtis on at halftime which gave the Shrimps a more balanced look. Both wingers for Morecambe, Curtis and Neil Wainwright caused problems all day for both fullbacks and this is where Morecambe's solitary goal came from on 77 minutes. Curtis' deep cross was not dealt with by Rotherham's defence and Wainwright turned the ball home at the back post. Morecambe's pressure continued but the Miller's weren't troubled as they searched for an equaliser in vain.
Their hopes were shattered in the last minute when Lynch scored a carbon copy of the first as once again he cut inside the poor Danny Adams far too easily to curl the ball home and to the visitors the 3 points.
I was impressed with Rotherham's performance especially Pablo Mills. Others that shined were Rueben Reid and Mark Lynch, and I'm sure if they perform like that they will be able to stay up despite their minus 17 points. If Mills can control games like today, he can give quality service for players like Reid to perform. However for Morecambe, poor performances by Adams and Parrish will need to be rectified by putting in solid fan favourites, Michael Howard and Adam Yates which would bring more attacking full-backs who are also very solid defensively. Matty Blinkhorn was also poor as he was outmuscled far too often and so O'Carrol deserves to come in. Michael Twiss and Craig Stanley aslo need to come in as they create opportunities. Twiss especially hasn't done anything wrong to not even be in the squad and he is still good enough if Sammy plays him in the right position.
A well earned 3 points for Rotherham.
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