Reserve Team Match Report: Burton Albion 2-0 Morecambe
A YOUNG Morecambe team suffered a narrow defeat against an experienced Burton Albion this afternoon.
Against a Brewers' side that featured first team regulars Jerome Binnom-Williams, Tom Naylor, Timmy Thiele and Zeli Ismail at The Don Amott Arena, Stewart Drummond's side put up a spirited performance.
A youthful Morecambe were swoon on the back foot with Thiele bending an early free kick past the far post.
Home keeper Dean Lyness was tested 12 minutes into the game as Nathan Bondswell tried his luck from a tight angle but the Albion stopper made a routine save at his near post.
The deadlock was broken after 20 minutes when 16-year-old Hammerton provided the cross for Thiele who finished from close range.
The young Morecambe side made it harder for the Brewers than it seemed on paper. They set up well at the back which made it hard for Thiele and co to break through.
On the other hand, Dean Lyness was in fine form in the Albion goal. He was quickly off his line several times to claim some brilliant deliveries which at times, kept his side level.
Liam Slade was key to Albion's forward movement but he was also called upon at the back as Hedley lined his shot up from 25 yards but the Academy youth product blocked well.
Both teams emerged unchanged for the second half but it didn't take long for the first chance of the second 45 minutes. A long ball forward was brought down by Ismail who played a great ball through to Austin who took it on his left foot but fired over.
It was a bright start to the second half from the Brewers as some more great work down the right by Ismail provided Thiele with the chance but he couldn't guide his header on target.
Morecambe weren't here to lie down. Ben Thomas made some space for himself down the left for the away side before driving at the defence but firing just over Lyness' bar.
Straight down the other end, Crystal Palace loanee Jerome Binnom-Williams produced a great piece of skill to beat Conor Docherty at right back before producing the cross for Zeli Ismail who forced a great save from Tony Thompson.
Lyness was forced into action again as a great free kick from out wide was whipped into the box which was met by the head of Jack Taylor but the Albion keeper was equal to it.
Twenty minutes into the second half, Binnom-Williams was slipped through by a fantastic ball provided by Austin but his fancy footwork wasn't enough to beat the Morecambe stopper.
Young academy product Dinanga was given his chance to show after impressing in the youth team in recent weeks. He replaced Binnom-Williams.
Bondswell went close again for the visitors as he made a surging run down the right before cutting in on his left foot but his shot whistled over Lyness' bar harmlessly.
With just 10 minutes to go, Thiele doubled the lead when he glanced home a cross from Austin.
Thiele could have completed his hat trick late on in the game but was denied by a good Thompson save.
MORECAMBE: Thompson, Docherty, Thomas, Bainbridge, Taylor, Hedley, Bondswell, Cowley, Ryan, Bailey, Finney. Subs: Povey. Homson-Smith, Bowden, Borlase.