Five star Shrimps demolish Burton Albion

Morecambe recorded their biggest league win for 11 years after thrashing Burton at the Mazuma to move to within one point of safety in League One.

Two goals each from Kieran Phillips and Caleb Watts and a Jensen Weir effort secured the victory, as the Shrimps made a dream start to 2023.

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Morecambe were looking to make it back-to-back league victories following the midweek win over Accrington Stanley, and could have taken the lead on 14 minutes. Cole Stockton’s header from a Liam Shaw cross was cleared off the line, and second attempt was bundled clear too.

Morecambe took a deserved lead just after half an hour, thanks to a defensive mix-up by Burton. Stockton was played through on goal, and as a scramble ensued in the box, the ball ricocheted into the path of Jensen Weir, who's bundled effort came off Kieran Phillips on its way to goal, with the ball rolling over the line for his sixth goal of the season.

Burton’s best effort in the first 45 minutes coming from John Brayford, but his long-range first-time strike rattled the bar.

Moments later, in stoppage time, Morecambe doubled the lead. Another ball over the top of the Brewers’ high defensive line was pounced on by Cole Stockton. Goalkeeper Ben Garratt’s clearance was weak and fell into the path of Jensen Weir, who provided a cushioned finish into the empty net from 30 yards.

It was turning into an afternoon to remember for Morecambe, as they grabbed two more goals in the opening ten minutes of the second half. The first came on 51 minutes, as substitute Caleb Watts grabbed his first for the Club following a goal mouth scramble in the Burton box. The ball fell to Watts, who tapped home into and empty net.

It was 4-0 minutes later, as Kieran Phillips latched onto a long ball forward and poked the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper Garratt and into the back of the net, with the Shrimps really turning on the style at the Mazuma Stadium.

The Shrimps made it 5-0 in the final five minutes as Caleb Watts beat the offside trap to go on and sneak the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper and seal a comprehensive victory for Morecambe on the opening day of 2023.

Watts could and should have completed his hat trick in the last minute, but blazed over the bar from close range.

The win is Morecambe’s largest margin of victory since beating Crawley 6-0 at home back In 2011.