Parrish strike earns superb win
Andy Parrish’s first goal for Morecambe earned the Shrimps a 2-1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge at the Globe Arena writes ADAM WOODHOUSE.
The Shrimps had to come from behind when Brian Woodall scored a well-taken goal after seven minutes, but Jordan Burrow’s first goal of the season brought Morecambe level just after half-time.
In front of a crowd of just over 4,000, the club’s decision to make the game free entry for all fans paid off with flying colours.
It ends a run of five games without a win for the Shrimps and Jim Bentley’s side are now unbeaten in nine league games at the Globe.
A brilliant atmosphere welcomed the players but it was not matched by a high tempo start, with the visitors seeing more of the ball and both sides failing to break each other down.
But the home fans were left stunned after seven minutes when a Matthew Saunders corner was missed by everyone in the box and the ball fell to striker Woodall, who made no mistake, finding the top corner with a ferocious drive.
The Shrimps struggled to get a foothold in the game, with Dagenham’s five man midfield winning the possession and nullifying the home attacks.
But the Shrimps were nearly level after 15 minutes, when Lewis Alessandra’s cross-shot was agonisingly headed over the bar by Kevin Ellison at full stretch.
Despite that effort, Bentley’s side continued to look nervy at the back and Ellison had to be in the right place at the right time to prevent Stewart Drummond heading into his own net from another dangerous Saunders corner.
The veteran midfielder then nearly made a difference at the right end, but his goal-bound header was deflected onto the roof of the net, after a dangerous cross from Alessandra.
From the resulting corner Nick Fenton saw his header cleared off the line, before the impressive Alessandra saw his powerful shot expertly pushed onto the bar by keeper Chris Lewington.
The Daggers keeper had to be at his best again a minute later when he was quick off his line to nick the ball of Jack Redshaw’s toes and Parrish could only blaze the rebound over the bar.
Despite all the Morecambe pressure the visitors nearly doubled their lead ten minutes before half-time but Barry Roche pushed aside Luke Wilkinson’s downward header.
The Shrimps ended the first-half as the dominant side, with Ellison outpacing the Dagenham defence but Lewington spread his body well to deny the Shrimps’ top goalscorer, before Drummond had the chance of the half as his header went agonizingly wide of the left post from Parrish’s cross.
Bentley’s side continued to dominate proceedings after the break, with Ellison shooting narrowly over after the Daggers had failed to clear an Alessandra corner.
The Shrimps then grabbed a deserved equaliser when Burrow prodded the ball over the line, after Alessandra’s cross had been headed across goal by Ellison.
With the crowd spurring them on, the Shrimps nearly got a second when Ellison’s curling left-footed shot was acrobatically pushed aside by the impressive Lewington.
It nearly and probably should have been two eight minutes later, as Gary McDonald found himself free in the box but his powerful shot was superbly blocked on the line by Scott Doe.
The Daggers struggled to get any spells of possession together and the Shrimps went close again through Alessandra and then Ellison.
All the home pressure was rewarded 13 minutes from time, when Alessandra’s cross bobbled across goal and Parrish raced in unmarked to side foot home at the back post.
Despite taking the lead, Morecambe continued to push forward and Ellison nearly added a third but he sliced his shot wide when one-on-one with Lewington.
The Shrimps move up two places into 17th in League Two, with a trip to Plymouth next on the agenda for Bentley’s side.
Morecambe: Roche; Parrish, McCready, Fenton, Wright; Alessandra, McDonald, Drummond, Ellison; Burrow (Fleming 78), Redshaw (Parkinson 69).
Unused subs: Arestidou, Threlfall, Haining, Reid, McGee.
Dag & Red: Lewington; Hoyte, Doe, Wilkinson, Ilesanmi; Elito, Howell, Ogogo, Saunders (Caprice 85); Scott (Reed 67), Woodall (Edmans 80).
Unused subs: Seabright, Spillane, Maher, Bingham.
Referee: K Wright
Attendance: 4,029 (56)