Morecambe 4 Scunthorpe United 1: Shrimps bounce back with a comprehensive victory

Morecambe consolidated their position in the League Two play-offs with a first victory in four games - and an emphatic one at that.
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First-half goals from Cole Stockton and Carlos Mendes Gomes had put the Shrimps well on their way to recording a first victory against their visitors.

Sam Lavelle and Yann Songo’o then ensured that was the case by netting in the second half before Alfie Beestin netted a late consolation.

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A hat-trick of assists from John O’Sullivan put the icing on the cake as Derek Adams’ players bounced back from defeat at Port Vale in style.

Carlos Mendes Gomes was again on the scoresheet for MorecambeCarlos Mendes Gomes was again on the scoresheet for Morecambe
Carlos Mendes Gomes was again on the scoresheet for Morecambe
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Adams made two changes from the side beaten at Vale Park last weekend.

In came Kelvin Mellor and Toumani Diagouraga, replacing Ryan Cooney and Brad Lyons respectively.

With Oldham Athletic boss Keith Curle among the onlookers, ahead of their meeting with the Shrimps on Saturday, Adams’ players almost led in the fourth minute.

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A throw-in was flicked on to O’Sullivan, who turned and saw his shot pushed away by Scunthorpe keeper Rory Watson.

He also turned over an inswinging cross from Mendes Gomes, who was also crowded out when well placed as the Shrimps began promisingly.

That start was capped when they broke the deadlock on 25 minutes.

Good pressing enabled them to win possession with O’Sullivan laying the ball inside to Stockton, who hammered home from 20 yards.

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Scunthorpe were also trying the long-distance route, partly because they struggled to put the final pass together and also because Morecambe keeper Kyle Letheren was facing the setting sun in the first half.

Jem Karacan shot wide from 25 yards before Letheren was forced into a routine enough stop to hold John McAtee’s long-range attempt.

Eight minutes before half-time and Morecambe doubled their advantage in fine fashion.

O’Sullivan cut in from the right-hand side and found Mendes Gomes, whose touch took him away from Jacob Bedeau before finishing clinically for goal number 13 of the campaign.

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Leading by two goals at half-time, the Shrimps extended their lead four minutes into the second half.

Scunthorpe were the architects of their own downfall, squandering possession which saw Watson forced into a fine save to deny Aaron Wildig.

However, the resulting corner from O’Sullivan eventually found its way into the net with Lavelle claiming the final touch.

It got even better for Morecambe on the hour when they scored their fourth.

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Wildig played a free-kick in behind the defence for Mendes Gomes, whose shot beat Watson and was on its way in, only for Songo’o to make sure.

Scunthorpe had seen Letheren keep out a Kevin van Veen effort before their night was summed up on 63 minutes.

Letheren punched clear, Karacan fired the loose ball against the bar and the rebound fell to George Taft, whose effort was kept out by the keeper at close range.

Looking for more goals, Morecambe saw Mellor find Mendes Gomes six yards out but his effort was blocked.

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Both sides freshened up their selections as the half progressed and it was one of Scunthorpe’s replacements who had the final word on 83 minutes.

Beestin got behind the Morecambe defence, and though Letheren kept out his initial effort, he was unable to prevent him from scoring at the second attempt.

There was still time for Stockton to send another effort from distance narrowly off target as Morecambe maintained their promotion bid.

Morecambe: Letheren, Mellor, Knight-Percival, Lavelle, Gibson, Songo’o (Cooney 89), O’Sullivan, Diagouraga, Wildig (Lyons 71), Mendes Gomes (Price 85), Stockton. Subs not used: Halstead, Hendrie, Davis, McAlinden.

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Scunthorpe United: Watson, Howe (Rowe 45), Taft, Bedeau (McGahey 71), O’Malley, Gilliead, Karacan (Beestin 71), Spence, Hippolyte (Green 56), McAtee, van Veen (Jessop 71). Subs not used: Collins, Mooney.

Referee: Declan Bourne.

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