Morecambe make it three straight home wins after Brackley victory

Morecambe made it three straight wins at home in National League North after a 3-0 victory over Brackley Town at the Halo Aerospace Stadium.

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The Shrimps made a bright start and came within inches of opening the scoring in the seventh minute. Elliot Newby found Jake Cain, whose curling effort beat the goalkeeper but crashed back off the crossbar.

Brackley threatened on 18 minutes when a long ball sent DJ Sturridge through on goal, but a heavy touch allowed the ball to run behind for a goal kick.

Adam Lakeland’s side continued to create chances, with Teddy Collis delivering deep into the visitors’ penalty area for Newby, who directed his header on target. Ben Williams and Elliot Newby then combined well down the left before the latter reached the byline and crossed for Joe Garner, whose header also tested the Brackley goal.

Morecambe’s persistence was finally rewarded two minutes into added time as Elliot Newby unleashed a superb strike from 15 yards which nestled into the top corner, sending the Shrimps into the break with a 1-0 advantage.

Morecambe emerged for the second half intent on building upon their advantage and doubled their lead within two minutes of the restart. Teddy Collis showed neat footwork on the wing before finding Will Smith, and his cross was turned into his own net by Josh Tomlinson.

A third followed in the 56th minute when Jake Cain’s pinpoint free-kick picked out Smith unmarked at the back post, allowing the Shrimps captain to volley home in emphatic fashion.

Brackley’s first notable opportunity arrived shortly after the hour mark, but Kai Yearn’s ambitious effort from distance sailed well over the crossbar.

The contest entered a quieter period before Charlie Cooper attempted to reduce the deficit in the 81st minute, only to bend his strike wide of the target.

Morecambe continued searching for a fourth during the closing stages. Matty Daly was played through in the 89th minute, but his effort was deflected narrowly wide, before Isaac Buckley-Ricketts spun beyond his marker and fired just over in added time.

That proved to be the final opportunity as the Shrimps secured a commanding 3-0 victory.

Morecambe: Boney, Williams, Hogan, Smith © (Curley 76’), Baines, Collis (Buckley-Ricketts 76’), Garner (Cherera 86’), Daly, Newby, Lewis (Leigh 66’), Cain (Coxe 76’).

Subs Not Used: Scales, Blois.

Bookings: Baines 17’, Lewis 56’, Garner 62’.

Goals: Newby 45+2’, Tomlinson OG 47’, Smith 53’.

Brackley Town: Rhone, Coates, Harmon, Cooper, Williams, Campbell, Yearn (Pennant 71’), Tomlinson, Fogarty, Morris (Roberts 71’), Sturridge (Lissimore 60’).

Subs Not Used: Armitage, Ellis, Edwards, Worby.

Bookings: Williams 40’, Tomlinson 52’.