MORECAMBE FOOTBALL CLUB

 

The Shrimps suffered their first defeat of the season after a wonder strike from Rotherham's Michael Smith on the hour gave the Millers a narrow win.

 

Morecambe boss Stephen Robinson made two changes from the side that beat Shrewsbury 2-0 at the weekend with Kelvin Mellor and Alfie McCalmont recalled to the side in place of Greg Leigh and Adam Phillips.

The visitors started the game well with centre forward Smith looking a constant threat and forcing Anthony O'Connor into a superb early block.

The Shrimps then grew into the game and began to cause the Millers some problems of their own.

Arthur Gnahoua went close to an opener on 20 minutes with a shot on the turn that curled inches wide of the left hand post, before Josh McPake was denied a shot on goal by an excellent covering tackle from Michael Ihiekwe.

Rotherham ended the half on the front foot with Smith forcing Jokull Andresson into an excellent save at his near post with a right foot snapshot before the same player was denied again by the Morecambe keeper with an effort from the edge of the box after an excellent first touch.

Half-time: Morecambe 0-0 Rotherham United

 

Smith was not to be denied on the hour however as he fired Rotherham ahead with a stunning 40-yard-strike. Receiving the ball just inside the Morecambe half he turned sharply and produced a stunning, dipping effort to beat Andresson. 

Morecambe hit back with McCalmont drilling a low shot just passed the right hand post from the edge of the area.

Stephen Robinson brought on Wes McDonald and Shayon Harrison as the Shrimps look to force the pace in the later stages of the game as the visitors put bodies behind the ball.

McCalmont saw a shot blocked and McDonald blazed an effort well over from the left hand side of the box.

Rotherham were denied a second two minutes from time when Kieran Sadlier broke clear but saw his effort tipped onto the crossbar by Andresson.

 

We head to Priestfield Stadium on Saturday looking to get back to winning ways against Steven Evans' Gillingham. 

 

Morecambe: Andresson, Cooney, Lavelle, O'Connor, Mellor, McCalmont, Diagouraga, McLoughlin Phillips 66'), Gnahoua (McDonald 68'), Stockton, McPake (Harrison 76').

Subs not used: Pye, Jones, Mensah, Wootton.

 

Bookings: Andresson 22' 

 

Red cards: None

 

Goals: None

 

Rotherham United: Johansson, Harding, Wood, Ihiekwe, Ogbene, Ferguson (Mattock 72), Rathbone, Edmonds-Green (Wood 46'), Rathbone, Kayode (Sadlier 78'), Smith.

Subs not used: Chapman, Barlasser, Miller, Odoffin.

 

Bookings: Mattock 88' 

 

Red cards: None

 

Goals: Smith 60'