Morecambe 2019/20 season review: Home discomforts for the Shrimps in the opening month

First up is August, which proved a busy month with eight games in league and cup – as well as bringing some very mixed fortunes...

As ever, the Shrimps had gone into their 13th season as an EFL club with a point to prove as, yet again, they were tipped for relegation.

Jim Bentley had brought in fresh blood with Adam Buxton, Cole Stockton, John O’Sullivan, Tom Brewitt and Lewis Alessandra among the new arrivals, as well as the loan signings of George Tanner and Shaun Miller.

However, the Shrimps’ boss suffered a couple of key departures with Zak Mills opting to join Oldham Athletic and the retirement of Andy Fleming.

The opening day saw Grimsby Town visit the Globe Arena, where a pair of second-half goals gave them a 2-0 victory.

Elliott Whitehouse gave the visitors a 68th-minute lead before Max Wright wrapped up victory seven minutes into added time.

Both sides huffed and puffed in attack before the deadlock was broken midway through the second half.

The Shrimps attempted to play offside from Jake Hessenthaler’s free-kick but there was no flag forthcoming from the assistant referee.

It meant Ludvig Ohman had the freedom of the area before squaring the ball for Whitehouse to open the scoring.

Bentley freshened up his team, introducing Stockton, Andrew Tutte and Kevin Ellison with Stockton coming closest when his close-range effort was well blocked by Harry Clifton.

Grimsby then sealed victory deep into added time when, with Morecambe having a free-kick deep in opposition territory and Barry Roche thrown forward, the visitors broke and Wright was able to roll the ball into an empty net from 20 yards.

A disappointing start but things didn’t promise to be any easier for Bentley’s players.

Next up was an away double-header in league and cup against a Mansfield Town side strongly fancied to be among the division’s high flyers.

The league meeting ended 2-2 despite Morecambe having built a two-goal advantage.

They led in the fifth minute when O’Sullivan crossed and Sam Lavelle headed past keeper Conrad Logan.

It was 2-0 on 21 minutes when Ellison’s angled pass found Alessandra, whose header looped past the keeper.

Buxton came close to making it 3-0, only for his free-kick from inside his own half to hit the woodwork.

Mansfield got back into the game six minutes before half-time when Barry Roche saved Alex MacDonald’s effort, only for Nicky Maynard to be given a simple finish.

The woodwork denied Morecambe again when Stockton hit the post on 71 minutes, seconds before Danny Rose’s header meant the spoils were shared despite Matt Preston’s late red card for the hosts.

Three days later and the two sides met again in the Carabao Cup.

It was a much-changed Morecambe side but another 2-2 scoreline after 90 minutes, only for the Shrimps to win on penalties.

Steve Old had headed Morecambe into an 18th-minute lead but Luke Conlan was shown a red card moments later for his challenge on Kellan Gordon.

Morecambe still led at the break but were pegged back on 57 minutes when Krystian Pearce scored from close range.

Two minutes later, however, and Morecambe were back in front as Old headed his second of the evening.

Omari Sterling-James’ leveller meant it was penalties, and though Miller and Lavelle missed from the spot, Jordan Cranston, O’Sullivan, Buxton, Alex Kenyon, Brewitt and Old sealed a 6-5 win for the Shrimps.

It set up Morecambe for their next home game, which brought a goalless draw with Cheltenham Town.

A game of few chances saw Gavin Reilly miss a great chance for the visitors, while Alessandra hit the post at the other end.

Stockton and Alessandra both tried to break the deadlock in the second half but to no avail as honours ended even.

A first league win came at the fourth time of asking as Morecambe were 1-0 winners at Macclesfield Town next time out.

The home side started brightly with Theo Archibald hitting the bar, Roche making a full-length save to deny Fiacre Kelleher, while Joe Ironside wasted another chance after a goalless first half.

Macc were punished just past the hour when Morecambe scored the only goal, Old crossing for Ritchie Sutton to break his duck for the club.

Miller and Tutte could have added to Morecambe’s tally, only to hit the post and the side netting respectively but one goal proved enough.

Next up was Exeter City’s visit, which ended with a late goal giving them a 3-2 win.

The visitors netted two quickfire goals in the first half, Jake Taylor sweeping home Lee Martin’s cross before the latter doubled their lead from close range.

Roche prevented Nicky Law from making it 3-0 and was rewarded when Alessandra sent a stunning shot into the top corner.

The same player levelled just past the hour, finishing off a 25-pass move to make it 2-2 with Morecambe having the better of the game.

However, a defensive error allowed Law to net a late winner, though there was still time for Lavelle to be sent off for a second yellow card.

The Shrimps’ next match would be their Carabao Cup outing at Burton Albion.

As with the previous round at Mansfield, Bentley made a number of changes but saw his side go close to leading through Alessandra.

From there, however, the home side dominated with Liam Boyce heading the first goal on 35 minutes.

He doubled his tally in first-half added time before Ryan Edwards made it 3-0 on 51 minutes.

Alessandra was denied again but Boyce ended the scoring, completing his hat-trick as the Shrimps were beaten 4-0.

The month ended with Morecambe making it 10 goals against them in three matches thanks to a 3-1 loss at Swindon Town.

It was a poor start for the Shrimps as Eoin Doyle prodded the home side into an early lead, only for Alessandra’s fine finish to make it 1-1 with only 13 minutes gone.

Four minutes later and Jerry Yates restored Swindon’s advantage before Doyle scored his second to complete the scoring after only 22 minutes.

Sutton and Old wasted opportunities for Morecambe as they ended the first month of the season sitting in 20th place in the division.

Next week: Six games in September but that second league win of the season remains elusive for the Shrimps squad..