Morecambe 3-2 Newport County: Match Report

16 August 2014 17:01
Morecambe 3-2 Newport County: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.


Shrimps fight back to stay on top

Morecambe remain top of League Two after they pulled off a stunning second-half comeback to beat Newport 3-2.

The Shrimps came down from two goals down at the break with a double from Kevin Ellison and a header from teenager Paul Mullin sealing a superb fightback.

Newport took the lead in the 27th minute through Adam Chapman. A Newport free-kick came off the Morecambe wall and Chapman reacted sharper than Morecambe midfielder Alex Kenyon to run on to the loose ball and fire a right foot effort past Barry Roche from 12 yards out.

Within a minute the visitors had doubled their advantage. Andy Sandell curled a free-kick to the far post, the ball was headed back across goal and Aaron O'Connor was in the perfect place to volley home from two yards out.

After a shocking first half Morecambe boss Jim Bentley brought on Mullin and Jamie Devitt and the game changed beyond all recognition as Morecambe took the upper hand.

Veteran Kevin Ellison was once again their spark as he reduced the deficit in the 57th minute with a stunning curling free-kick past Lenny Pidgeley from 25 yards out.

Five minutes later Ellison levelled the scores after taking advantage of some sloppy Newport defending when a poor back header left Pidgeley stranded and Ellison nipped in to head the ball into the empty net.

The game then swung from end to end, Jack Redshaw had a golden chance for Morecambe after a swift break but he sent his shot well wide of the target with Mullin better placed.

Newport hit back with Lee Minshull seeing an effort well blocked by Mark Hughes and Andy Sandell volleyed just wide after a great first touch.

But it was Morecambe who had the final say when Mullin scored his first Football League goal with a bullet header from Devitt's pinpoint cross.


Source: PA