Morecambe 0-0 Barnet
Report from The Lancaster And Morecambe Citizen
A WONDER save from on-loan keeper Joe Lewis earned Morecambe a point on their Football League debut. The gargantuan Lewis - six-feet six inches tall and still growing - needed every bit of his height to tip an Anthony Thomas cracker onto his crossbar five minutes from time of a game well worth the cash for a Morecambe league record crowd of 3,633.
Lewis had appeared hesitant at times during the game - but the giant, who is on loan from Norwich, showed just why Sammy McIlroy brought him into Christie Park to solve his eve-of-season goalkeeping crisis. Christie Park was rocking as the feelgood factor ran through the resort but the fans had to be patient as police ordered a delay to the big kick-off with massive queues outside the stadium. As the teams belatedly took to the field, the Barnet fans unfurled a huge banner welcoming Morecambe to the Football League - a nice gesture ahead of the rough and tumble of the next nine months.
Referee Phil Joslin couldn't delay kick-off any longer - and when he blew his whistle on the new dawn of Morecambe's future there were still hundreds of fans waiting to get into the ground. The Shrimps should have enjoyed a dream start inside three minutes when Twiss out-muscled Nicky Nicolau as they chased a Danny Adams through ball but then allowed Lee Harrison to make the save. Joe Lewis, who had earlier been felled by a stray Anthony Thomas arm, was then forced into action as he paddled an Adam Birchall shot away before Sagi Burton headed over from an Ashley Carew free-kick when he should have done better. Barnet were taking the game to the Shrimps at this stage and Thomas tried his luck twice - but on each occasion he was wide of the mark. Carl Baker was an increasing bag of tricks and would have put Wayne Curtis in had he opted for a simple ball rather than taking the adventurous option As the sun started to shine, Morecambe gradually got their feet with Twiss looking a real danger.
But they were in danger of being stung by the Bees, although a Morecambe counter attack almost put Twiss in as a Curtis slide-rule pass seemed ideal for the talisman. But he nudged Burton and conceded a soft free-kick as Harrison struggled on the edge of his area. Michael Leary sent a 30-yarder just wide shortly after the break and then Lewis saved from Birchall before Twiss came to life. He capitalised on hesitation in the Barnet defence on 54 minutes only to see his chip drift away from goal and then beat two men before whipping in a wicked cross, which was just too high.
The Barnet threatened and Jim Bentley got in a marvellous defending header to clear a dangerous Burton cross. Then the skipper was caught for pace and robbed in the danger zone by Thomas and he set up Birchall but his shot was deflected just wide with Lewis floundering. Morecambe hit back and Baker's lovely ball into Twiss saw the star sublimely flick to Garry Hunter - but he lobbed just over the bar. Curtis then saw a shot deflected into the arms of Harrison after another neat passing move and the Shrimps were on the up. Flying winger Thompson was introduced on 69 minutes and he went straight into a striking role despite not having tasted any action in pre-season.
The game flowed from end-to-end and it took another good bit of defending from Bentley to head the danger away as Puncheon looked to set up Leary. Then the Bees should have taken the lead as Carew's cross was perfect for Birchall's stooping header - but he didn't make contact and with Lewis alarmingly rooted to his line Nicolau failed to connect at the back post. It was a let off, a real let off and served as a warning that in this league players cannot take their eye off the ball. The Shrimps were suddenly under the cosh and Danny Adams, who had a fine game, was booked for a thudding lunge into the thighs of Carew.
Lewis then earned his corn with that marvellous save five minutes from time as he went full stretch to tip a deflected Thomas shot onto his crossbar and to safety. It was a fine stop to keep the Shrimps in the game.
MORECAMBE: Lewis, Yates, Artell, Bentley, Adams, Stanley, Sorvel, Hunter Thompson 69), Twiss (Newby 86), Curtis, Baker (Burns 72). Subs: Drench, Howard.
BARNET: Harrison, Devera, Yakubu, Burton, Nicolau, Carew (Porter 90+2), Leary, Bishop, Puncheon, Thomas (Hatch 88), Birchall. Subs: Beckwith, Hendon, Seanla.
