Portsmouth 3 - 0 Morecambe
MORECAMBE went down 3-0 at Fratton Park for the second season running after a controversial afternoon.
The Shrimps conceded three goals and had Scott Davies to thank for keeping it to that. But that only told half the story as the home side could have seen three possible red cards on a day where several big decisions went against the Shrimps.
The Shrimps started on the front foot but found themselves a goal down after just 10 minutes.
.Danny Hollands launched a long throw into the Morecambe box which Pompey striker Westcarr reacted sharper than the Morecambe defence to produce a fine left foot volley to beat Scott Davies from 10 yards out.
Morecambe hit back with Kevin Ellison seeing a run on goal ended by as foul from Jack Whatmough which earned him a booking.
Ellison continued to look dangerous and forced home keeper Paul Jones into two decent blocks from efforts either side of the box. before another flashpoint when Marcus Bean escaped a red card after catching Alan Goodall with a stray elbow.
The Shrimps’ best chance fell to Paul Mullin just before the break when he beat a home defender to a bouncing ball in the Pompey box but headed wide of the target from just three yards when he should have done much better.
Mullin was played through on goal by Ryan Edwards seconds after the restart but his poor first touch saw the chance go begging.
Mullin was made to pay when Ports mouth added a second on 54 minutes with a quality goal. Westcarr’s neat flick played in Miles Story and his left wing cross was headed home superbly by Jed Wallace from 12 yards out.
As Morecambe pushed forward, with Jamie Devitt making a welcome return, gaps opened up in their defence and Ryan Taylor should have added a third when played free on goal but his shot was superbly blocked by Davies.
The on loan keeper was beaten again two minutes from time when Wallace got in behind Laurence Wilson and drilled a low shot past Davies from 10 yards out.
Portsmouth: Jones, Fish, Whatmough, Robinson, Butler, Wallace, Hollands, Bean (rep Attanganga 90), Story, Taylor, Westcarr. Subs not used: Poke, Chorley, Holmes, Shorey, Close, Wynter.
Morecambe: Davies, Beeley, Hughes, Parrish (rep McCready 76), Edwards, Wilson, Fleming, Goodall (rep Redshaw 61), Kenyon, Ellison, Mullin (rep Devitt 76). Subs not used: Lumley, Watson, Wright, Williams.
Ref: G Ward.
Att: 14,349.