Shrimps 1-0 Newport County
Emirates FA Cup First Round
The Mazuma Stadium
Saturday 6 November 2021
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Attendance: 1,879 (167 Newport County supporters)
Morecambe booked their place in the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Newport County.
Second-half substitute Aaron Wildig scored with his first touch after 68 minutes.
The Shrimps started the game brightly with the first chance falling to Alfie McCalmont. Greg Leigh’s dangerous cross from the left was cleared by the visitors only as far as McCalmont who side-footed over the bar from just outside of the box.
The Shrimps almost took the lead from the following corner when the ball was once again cleared to McCalmont who saw his powerful volley blocked.
The visitors created their first chance on 13 minutes when Jake Cain forced Jokull Andresson into a low save down to his right from 20-yards out.
The Exiles created the next chance of the game when County striker Dom Telford’s curling effort was well saved by Andresson.
The Welsh side came even closer to taking the lead when Azaz went for goal just outside the box and saw his effort deflect narrowly wide of the Andresson’s net.
Five minutes before the break, Baker-Richardson went one-on-one with Andresson who made an impressive save which was followed up by the Newport man being flagged offside.
The Shrimps came forward down the right just before half-time as Ryan McLaughlin’s cross was cleared behind by Norman.
Half-time: Morecambe 0-0 Newport County
The Shrimps started the second 45 brightly when Cole Stockton broke through on goal down the right and forced Day into a low save following his well hit shot.
Morecambe continued their positive start to the second-half when they worked the ball to Stockton on the edge of the box, his effort curled just over the bar from 20 yards out.
Stephen Robinson’s side continued their dominant start to the second period when Arthur Gnahoua put in a dangerous cross from the left which needed to be defended by the visitors.
As torrential rain started to fall at the Mazuma, the Shrimps kept themselves on the front foot when Leigh’s cross from the left-hand side was whipped across the face of goal, just avoiding the line of Shrimps players queuing up in the box.
Andresson was then forced into a stunning save to deny Cooper opening the scoring for the Sky Bet League Two side.
The Shrimps took the lead on 68 minutes when substitute Aaron Wildig scored with his first touch off the bench to side foot home from close range past Day.
Former Shrimps forward Kevin Ellison came on for the visitors with 15 minutes to play and his first touch saw him hit the post off a Telford cross.
Wildig almost got himself on the scoresheet again when he spotted Day off his line, his spectacular effort from 40-yards out looped over the County keeper and just wide of the post.
James Rowberry’s Newport continued to press for the equaliser with Andresson was forced into a save from another Azaz effort.
The Shrimps defended well and were professional in the last ten minutes to hold on and book their place in the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Full-time: Morecambe 1-0 Newport County
The Shrimps are back in action at the Mazuma Stadium on Tuesday when we host Carlisle United in the Papa John’s Trophy.
Morecambe: Andresson, McLaughlin (Cooney 83’), Leigh, O’Connor, Jones, Stockton, Ayunga, Phillips (Wildig 61’), Gnahoua (Diagouraga 79’), McCalmont, Wootton.
Subs not used: Letheren, McDonald, Delaney, Mensah, Gibson, Harrison
Goals: Wildig 68’.
Bookings: Wootton.
Red cards: None.
Newport County: Day, Norman, Clarke, Demetriou (C), Lewis (Collins '83), Willmott, Cain (Ellison '77), Azaz, Cooper, Telford, Baker-Richardson
Subs not used: Townsend, Haynes, Upson, Dolan, Fisher, Abraham, Missilou
Goals: None.
Bookings: None
Red cards: None.