Shrimps remain top after battling win at Cambridge
TWO goals from debutant Paul Mullin and a series of superb saves from Barry Roche saw Morecambe maintain their 100 per cent start to the new campaign.
In a bruising encounter Jim Bentley’s side showed great spirit and determination to take the three points to keep them at the top of League 2.
Mullin gave the Shrimps the lead on 16 minutes with a simple header from close range after he reacted quicker than the Cambridge defence to head home Kevin Ellison’s cross from the left.
From there the Shrimps were forced to defend for long periods with the dangerous Kwesi Appiah forcing Roche into his first his powerful header from Ryan Donaldson’s corner just after the half hour.
Ellison tried his luck with a long-range effort that flew straight at United keeper Chris Dunn soon after, but Roche again denied Appiah just before half time by making a fine stop from his shot on the turn.
Cambridge started the second half brightly and pulled a goal back when Tom Elliott headed home from close range after Luke Chadwick’s cross skewed off a Morecambe defender.
Five minutes later Morecambe regained the lead with Mullin again on the mark.
Andy Wright crossed from the right, having just ran back on to the pitch following treatment for a cut head, to put the visitors back in front with a cool finish.
Roche went on to make superb reflex saves from Chadwick, Josh Coulson and Tom Bonner as United pressured for another leveller, but the Shrimps hung on for a defiant win.
United: Dunn, Tait, Taylor, Coulson, Bonner, Diallo (Chadwick 46), Donaldson, Champion, Appiah (Simpson 69), Elliott, Dunk (Hughes 46). Subs Not used: Norris, Hunt, Sam-Yorke, Stockley.
Morecambe: Roche, Beeley, Devitt, Wilson, Hughes, Doyle, Drummond (Kenyon 69), Wright, Fleming (Goodall 69), Mullin (Redshaw 76), Ellison. Subs Not used: Arestidou, Sampson, Williams, Amond.