Sampson stars in five star Reserves' win
JACK Sampson scored a hat-trick as Morecambe Reserves produced their best performance of the season to thrash title chasing Port Vale at the Globe Arena.
The visitors started the game well and Tom Stewart was forced to make a good early save from Valiants striker Dan Turner who cut inside from the left to fire in a shot which Stewart tipped over.
Omar Haughton fired over on 18 minutes and the visitors went in front a minute later after a cross from the left caused problems for the Morecambe defence and Ando's deflected shot beat Stewart from 12 yards out.
Paul Mullin fired a free kick just wide as Morecambe looked for a rapid response but the Valiants went close to a spectacular second after Aziz Deen-Conteh's cross from the left was met by a half-volley from Haughton which forced an impressive save from Stewart.
The Shrimps levelled on 35 minutes when Padraig Amond slid the ball through to Sampson in the area and his low shot beat Sam Johnson.
After an even first half the second period belonged to Morecambe. Stewart Drummond's side soon found top gear after the break and went 2-1 up when Alan Goodall played the ball through to Amond and he slotted the ball past Johnson.
Five minutes later Sampson raced clear behind the defence and stroked the ball home to put the Shrimps 3-1 up.
Stewart made another fine save before the Shrimps scored a fourth when Sampson found Shay Finney who lofted the ball into the far top corner from 25 yards.
The Shrimps added a fifth on 82 minutes when Aaron McGowan swung in a free kick from the left and Sampson headed the ball over Johnson to seal a fine victory.
Morecambe: Stewart, McGowan, Bondswell (Finney, 65), Drummond, Edwards (Reynolds, 52), Goodall, Amond (Bailey 61), Wright, Sampson, Mullin, Watson.
Subs: Kitchen, Reynolds.
Vale: Johnson, Clarke (Gibbons, 80), Deen-Conteh, Reeves, Faulkner, Bergin, Andoh, Lloyd, Kapend (Steele, 72), Turner, Haughton (Barton, 72).
Subs: Ferrie, Steele, Barton, Gibbons