Morecambe collect their third victory in preparation for the new season

Morecambe continued their preparations for the new National League North season by recording a 3-0 win at Bamber Bridge on Saturday.

Early goals from Joe Garner and Liam Hogan gave Adam Lakeland’s side the advantage, with young substitute Ronnie Blois completing the Shrimps’ scoring after the break.

The hosts staged a spirited second-half comeback and forced visiting keeper Joe Young into some smart saves, although his best came when he tipped away a deflected effort from Hogan.

The Shrimps took the lead in the fifth minute, when Garner made the most of a defensive slip to beat Goodness Gospel-Eze from a tight angle.

Lakeland’s side doubled their lead nine minutes later when a corner ended with central defender Hogan volleying home from 12 yards.

Morecambe continued to dominate but were denied on several occasions by Gospel-Eze who produced a string of fine saves, tipping away an Elliott Newby drive and a Matty Daly shot.

Garner hit the crossbar with a close-range header and Taelor O’Kane struck the post in the final action of the first half.

Morecambe brought on Blois and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts at the break, while the home side made four changes and started the second period brightly.

However, they were undone by a fine Morecambe third on 59 minutes as Blois and Buckley-Ricketts combined neatly before the former produced a fine low finish.

From there, the Shrimps continued to press and created a number of chances but they were unable to breach a resolute defence again.

Bamber Bridge: Gospel-Eze, Churchman, Adubofour, Knight-Percival, Trialist A, Baxter, Allen, Riley, Benns, Trialist B, Lang. Substitutes: Trialist C, Trialist D, Mapengu, Trialist E, Trialist F, Trialist G, Trialist H, Poilly.

Morecambe: Young, Coxe, Hogan, Baines, Williams, O’Kane, Leigh, Daly, Newby, Garner, Collis. Substitutes: Boney, Illingworth, Vilchez, Lewis, Buckley-Ricketts, Blois, Wright, Newall, Trialist.