Midfielder's reaction to Carlisle clash
MIDFIELDER Alex Kenyon was left disappointed following Morecambe’s penalty shoot-out defeat against Carlisle but insisted that the Shrimps more than matched their League One opponents writes ADAM WOODHOUSE.
The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash ended goalless after 90 minutes and with the Cumbrians’ scoring all four of their spot-kicks - misses from Ryan Williams and Andy Fleming saw Jim Bentley’s side bow out.
Former Stockport County man Kenyon started in the heart of the Shrimps’ midfield once again and did not believe there was much between the sides despite the 17 league places between them.
He said: “It’s not an easy way to go out on penalties but it’s unfortunate for the two lads [Williams and Fleming], but overall I wouldn’t say they were a better side than us and I think we did well.”
He added: “I wouldn’t say there were any clear-cut chances for either side, obviously there was Kev’s [Kevin Ellison] header which nearly lobbed the keeper but I wouldn’t have said there was an easy chance for someone.”
The defeat was the third time in the last five seasons that the Shrimps have been knocked out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on penalties, with the club last winning a shoot-out in 2008.
But Kenyon – who was making his eighth start for the club – accepted there was not a lot his side could do considering the quality displayed from 12 yards by a full-strength Carlisle side.
The 21-year-old said: “Their penalties were very good, Stav [Andreas Arestidou] got his hand to one but was unfortunate and towards the end it maybe goes to sudden death if it doesn’t go through them.”
On the team selected by Carlisle manager Graham Kavanagh, he added: “We’ve been in good form recently so they’ve shown respect by playing that side.”
After the final whistle manager Bentley was keen to emphasise that his side’s unbeaten run was still intact with the match ending as a draw at full-time.
And Kenyon revealed how the Shrimps’ boss used that to motivate his players after the game as they look to pick themselves up for the short trip to Bury on Saturday.
The midfielder said: “He told us to keep our heads up, it’s still in his eyes eight unbeaten at the moment, so we just roll onto Saturday and let’s get the win at Bury.”
The ex-Lancaster City captain concluded on the club’s current form: “It’s going really good and if we get the three points on Saturday it will be even better.”