Carlisle United to Secure Back-To-Back 3-1 Victories, and Third Successive Home Win at the Fortress Camp Mazu

Threesy Does It for Morecambe The Shrimps put three past Carlisle United to secure back-to-back 3-1 victories, and third successive home win at the fortress Camp Mazu. After a stunning second half display last time out against Crawley Town, Shrimps manger Derek Adams surprisingly made another 5 changes to his starting line-up for the game against ‘local’ rivals Carlisle United. Mellor, Gibson, Letheren and Diagouraga replaced Cooney, Hendrie, Halstead and Slew, whilst O’Sullivan was brought back in place of injured Blackburn loanee Brad Lyons. A low-key start from both sides quickly descended into a game of long-ball, which seemed to suit a robust Morecambe back-line more than the visiting Cumbrian outfit. Having enjoyed marginally more possession, Carlisle displayed a lack of quality in the final third, and were unable to create noteworthy opportunities from open play. This was a theme that would continue throughout the afternoon, not helped by the early departure of United frontman Josh Kayode – who was seemingly unable to shake off a knock that he sustained in a challenge from Shrimps skipper Sam Lavelle. The same thing could not be said for Morecambe, who were competent without the ball and ruthlessly efficient with it. On 30 minutes Carlos Mendes Gomes exposed a chronic lack of pace in the middle of the Carlisle defence with a perfectly weighted through-ball that dissected the visitor centre-backs into the path of the onrushing John O’Sullivan. The resulting shot was superbly saved by Paul Farman, who managed to get to tip to the ball onto the cross-bar and behind for a Shrimps corner. Having gone close, Morecambe did not have to wait too much longer for their next opportunity. On 35 minutes a quick inter-change of play down the Shrimps left saw Gibson drive in a low, pacey cross from the edge of Carlisle’s box which was met by the head of Aaron Wildig, who was able to glance the ball past the keeper from close-range to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. The goal was Aarons 6th in League Two this season, equalling his goal tally from the previous three seasons combined. Things were about to get even better for the hosts, who doubled their lead before the end of the half. A well worked corner routine hot off the training ground saw the Shrimps capitalise on the Cumbrian’s decision not to employ a defender on the far post. John O’Sullivan delivered the ball from the Morecambe right towards the front post, where it was flicked towards the Back-post area by Harry Davis before being met by the unmarked Diagouraga to score with a diving header to make it 2-0. As the second-half got underway the onus was on Carlisle to get themselves back into the game, but it was the Shrimps that started the brighter of the two. Yann Songo’o almost headed home on 50 minutes from an Aaron Wildig freekick, but his goal-bound effort from 6 yards was well saved by Farman - who was much the busier of the two keepers throughout the contest. Moments later MorecamBe made it 3-0, courtesy of another fine move. Mendes Gomes played another stunning long through-Ball to Aaron Wildig on the edge of the Carlisle box. As Farman came off his line to narrow the angle, Wildig smartly cut a square ball in front of the onrushing keeper for Cole Stockton to tap the ball home from close range. A scintillating piece of play from the home side that was almost replicated just past the hour mark when Gibson elected to shoot rather than pass to an unmarked Stockton – but instead fired wide. Having produced little by way of chances, Carlisle were awarded an indirect free-kick on 70 minutes from all of 6 yards when Morecambe goalkeeper Kyle Letheren bizarrely regathered the ball in his hands handing initially rolled it out to himself. True to form, a golden opportunity to drag themselves back into the match was squandered when the ball was knocked back to former Shrimp Lewis Alessandra, who had not read the script and had was barely able to strike the ball before being charged down by a posse of Morecambe defenders. The away side did eventually get on the scoresheet on 80 minutes, courtesy of Aaron Hayden header from a corner in what proved to be a consolation for Carlisle. Having allowed very little to their opponents all afternoon, the Shrimps will be a little disappointed to concede in such fashion. Any hopes that the goal might revive the visitors slim hopes to mount an unlikely comeback were unfounded, as Morecambe were able to see out the rest of the game with relative ease and minimal fuss. Not bad, eh! Shrimps: Letheren (GK), Mellor, Davis, Lavelle (C), Gibson, Diagouraga (Goal 37’), Songo’o, O’Sullivan, Wildig (Goal 32’, Sub 90’), Mendes Gomes (Sub 79’), Stockton (Goal 53’). Subs: Halstead (GK), Cooney, Denny (90’) Hendrie, McAlinden, Pringle, McAlinden, Slew (79’). MOTM: Toumani Diagouraga – alongside Yann Songo’o snuffed out Carlisle as an attacking treat, and chipped in with a goal. .

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