Morecambe's top scorer has taken his chance in emphatic fashion

The 22-year-old took his tally to 11 for the campaign with his midweek double against Crawley Town putting him one ahead of Adam Phillips.

Having joined the club in 2018, Mendes Gomes made 19 appearances in his first season but was largely out of favour in the early part of the 2019/20 campaign.

Two substitute outings were the extent of his involvement before Jim Bentley left, but Adams’ arrival has seen him become a first-team regular.

In all, Mendes Gomes has featured 54 times since Adams joined Morecambe in November 2019, scoring 13 times.

“When I first came to the club, he was in the reserves and wasn’t getting a chance,” Adams said.

“He’s got a great deal of confidence at this moment in time and he was quick on the uptake with his goals the other night.

“That was the reason he got them, especially when he was first to the ball when the rebound came off the keeper for his second goal.

“He was also involved in the first goal because it was his pass in behind for Jordan Slew to backheel the ball to Cole Stockton.”

Having lost at Mansfield Town last weekend, Adams made five changes for the midweek win.

Those who came in all played their part as the Shrimps made it one defeat in 13 at the Mazuma Stadium.

Those results – and the Shrimps’ position in challenging at the top end of the League Two table – mean Adams has not had the opportunity to give regular playing time to another youngster for whom he has high hopes.

He said: “We gave Carlos an opportunity and Freddie Price is probably the next one we feel deserves an opportunity.

“It’s hard to do that though at this moment in time because of the situation we’re in but we have a lot of talented players throughout the squad.

“We have competition all over the pitch.

“I said over the summer you don’t spend the money on one individual, you spend it throughout the squad because you will need it throughout the season.”

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