Report, highlights and reaction: Morecambe 2-0 Accrington Stanley

It was a night to remember at the Mazuma, as Morecambe signed off 2022 with a convincing 2-0 win over Lancashire rivals Accrington Stanley.

Click here for highlights, reaction and more in the latest episode of The Shrimps Verdict Podcast

Goals from Liam Shaw and Jensen Weir secured the win in front more than 4,000 supporters, as Morecambe cut the gap to League One safety to four points.

Early on, Accrington saw an effort cleared off the line by Cole Stockton early on, from a corner, while Rosaire Longelo was denied twice by goalkeeper Connor Ripley.

At the other end, Liam Gibson had an effort blocked inside the box, before a lovely move opened the scoring on 34 minutes.

Cole Stockton did brilliantly well to keep hold of the ball down the left channel following a pass from Jensen Weir, and switch the play to the opposite side to Liam Shaw who jinked his way into the box before smashing the ball into the far corner for his second of the season.

Morecambe doubled their lead ten minutes later, as Jensen Weir cushioned home a first-time finish after Ryan Cooney teed him up perfectly, following more good play from Stockton after a long clearance up field.

A more scrappy second half saw the visitors with plenty of possession, but the Shrimps kept Stanley largely at arm’s length, restricting John Coleman’s men largely to weak efforts from range.

At the other end, Adam Mayor saw his effort from long-range held well by the Stanley goalkeeper, whilst Kieran Phillips got himself in a good position in the box midway through the second half, but some good defending ushered him out of the way for a shot on goal.

Stanley substitute Leslie Adekoye could have reduced the arrears for Stanley inside the last ten minutes, but his close range header was wide of target, while Cole Stockton almost added a third for Morecambe with seven minutes to play, but his 25 yard curling effort just whistled past the angle of post and bar.

The deserved victory lifts the Shrimps onto 18 points, ahead of a crucial New Year’s Day clash with Burton Albion at the Mazuma.