Shrimps battle to Barnet point (From Lancaster And Morecambe Citizen)

Shrimps battle to Barnet point

4:50pm Saturday 13th September 2008

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Barnet 1 Morecambe 1
Coca Cola League 2
Full-time

DIARMUID O’Carroll’s magical moment made rescued a point for Morecambe as they kept their revival going thanks to a battling draw at Barnet.

The Irishman with the talent-laden boots scored a serious contender for goal of the season just before half-time as the Shrimps recovered from falling behind to a team desperate for something, anything

But a point on the road on the wacky slopes of Underhill is a decent show, especially given the battering the Shrimps had to withstand.

It took a fine save from Barry Roche to prevent the Shrimps from falling behind inside the first minute as he plunged to his right to turn Adam Birchall’s flick for a corner.

It was a top stop but soon Morecambe were on the attack down the slop and Diarmuid O’Carroll floated a header just wide from Ryan McCann’s cross.

Rene Howe then spurned an opportunity as O’Carroll’s free-kick was charged down before McCann set up the striker, who blazed high over the top from 10 yards.

Morecambe had good tempo and Garry Hunter fired just wide after playing a delightful one-two with O’Carroll, who was proving to be a real pain to Barnet with just 12 minutes on the clock.

But they were made to pay for not converting their chances as Albert Adomah raced past a static Andrew Parrish on a surging run down the right before blasting home past Roche.

It was too easy and the speedy Adomah went on another run moments after his 18th minute strike only this time Parrish fared somewhat better.

They weathered that storm and more neat build-up play saw Howe direct a header just wide of the post from Neil Wainwright’s ball.

But for all of Morecambe’s sweet football, some of their defending was anything but textbook and they had a big escape on the half-hour when the Bees had a ‘goal’ chalked off thanks to Cliff Akurang needlessly straying into an offside position.

Roche had to go full-stretch to keep out a Neal Bishop free-kick and from the resulting corner Hunter worked wonders on the goal-line to rise high to head Akurang’s free header to safety.

Suddenly the tide had changed with Barnet, beaten in all of their seven games in league and cup to date, discovered a fresh belief – but just when it looked as though the Shrimps were flagging O’Carroll produced a moment of genius.

There was nothing on when Hunter’s ball looped into the box – but the former Celtic starlet had other ideas, even though his back was to goal.

He brought the ball down beautifully and in the same movement hit a sweet, sweet left-foot shot on the turn beyond Lee Harrison, who could only stand in amazement.

It was a stunning moment from a real talent.

Morecambe spent the first 15 minutes of the second period of the defensive as Barnet pushed down the hill but they couldn’t make a breakthrough and Wainwright went close to putting the Shrimps in front.

But he dragged his shot wide and then Wayne Curtis stung the fingers of Harrison from distance.

Then Barnet’s Michael Leary should have done better than to pick a row and seat number as Ryan McCann’s dreadful clearance fell straight to him 15-yards out.

Ashley Carew went close for the Bees with a low drive from 25-yards and a scampering Roche was relieved to see it fly past his post while eccentric referee Fred Graham was beginning to frustrate both sides with a series of odd decisions.

Debutant Ben Smith was handed a debut 18 minutes from time in place of Wainwright and he – despite his size – managed to rough-up Carew within seconds of taking to the field.

It was starting to get fractious as the game went into the final 10 minutes with Barnet trying to up the ante as they looked for their first win.

But, going up the hill, the Shrimps were dangerous on the counter and they did force their first corner of the game five minutes from time thanks to good work from Smith.

That came to nothing, unless you call a harsh yellow card for David Artell saying a little too much any sort of reward.

Gillet then fired wide from 35-yards and Jim Bentey did so well to get back and hook off his own line a minute from time as Luke Medley rounded Roche.

As the Morecambe goal started to lead a charmed life, Gillet volleyed wide when he should have scored and Roche got away with a blatant handball outside his box in stoppage time.

The Shrimps were happy with their point.

Barnet: Harrison,; Carew, Devera, Yakubu, Gillet; Adomah, Bishop, Nicolau, Mitchell (Leary 58); Akurang (Medley 58), Birchall. Subs: Beckwith (GK), Charles, Porter.

Goal: Adomah 18
Bookings: Akurang 27 (foul)

Morecambe
Roche - big at the death 7
McCann - dug in 6
Artell - hero defender 8
Bentley - gigantic display 9
Parrish - learned from goal 7
Wainwright - quiet game 6 (Smith 72)
Hunter - big, big match 8
Drummond - bypassed as game went on 6
Curtis - a handful 7
Howe - should have scored early on 6
O’Carroll - wonder goal 8
Subs: Davies (GK), Stanley, McStay, McLachlan.
Goal: O’Carroll 42
Bookings: Howe 62 (foul), McCann 70 (foul), Artell 85 (dissent)

Referee: Fred Graham - panto season arrives early 6

Attendance: 1,779 (97 from Morecambe)
SHOTS ON TARGET
SHRIMPS 5 BEES 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET
SHRIMPS 4 BEES 10
WOODWORK
SHRIMPS 0 BEES 0
CORNERS
SHRIMPS 1 BEES 11
FOULS
SHRIMPS 9 BEES 17
OFFSIDE
SHRIMPS 8 BEES 8
SHOT OF THE MATCH
Diarmuid O'Carroll's brillance gave Morecanbe their goal - it was class
SAVE OF THE MATCH
The one that got away. Barry Roche appeared to use a hand outside his box in stoppage time. It was crucial.
VERDICT
The Shrimps dug in and battled for their point
STAR SHRIMP
Jim Bentley was huge for Morecambe - and his late clearance from close to his own line went a long way to preserving the point.

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