Morecambe AWAY

MORECOMBE 2 – 0 KESWICK WEST CUMBRIA

This week Wests made the jorney South of the county to face Morecombe in a top of the table clash.
Wests sit top of the league after an unbeaten opening nine games while Morecombe sit just three points adrift following their controversial defeat two weeks prior to Neston.
With the possibility of going six points clear of the field for Wests and getting back on level terms for Morecombe the game was nicely set for passionate encounter.
Wests again fielded their fundamental core but welcomed back Peter Sutton into the fray at right back but were without the ever young Paul Randall.
The game started at a frantic pace and straight from the off it was clear Morecombe were fired up for the game and controlled the pace of the match to suit their own play well. The home side were making all the right moves early on and the Wests back line came under a strong opening siege but were equally resilient.
However after breaking down any Morecombe attack, KWC found it difficult to string a series of passes together in order to get their own grip on the fixture and more often than not gave away possession too easily either through determined opposition or unforced errors.
Wests did however have the best opening chance slightly against the run of play when Rob Cook fired just wide. Morecombe responded well and eventually began creating significant chances of their own, the best of which courtesy of the short corner and although Wests held out for a substantial period, the opening goal came for the home side with a neat flick into the top corner of the goal from such a short corner routine.
Wests did begin to show more spirit following the goal but continued to struggle against an unwavering Morecombe. The remainder of the half seen KWC absorb the majority of the play but were very unfortunate not the steal an equiliser on the stroke of half time when a beautiful aerial ball from Morgan found Cook in the D to strike the ball on the half volley just clear of the bar.
The second half began with more of the same from both sides but with such importance on the result, both teams now approached the half with contrasting goals: Morecombe to retain the lead, Wests to salvage a result.
Wests started to move the ball better and control the momentum of the match but came unstuck in the final 23 when they were met with a solid wall of defence.
As the game began to enter the latter stages the turning point was passed. Morecombe broke out and moved the ball into the KWC ‘D’ and after creating an opening a goalbound shot was struck which was blocked by Swanston’s foot and a penalty flick was awarded and converted.
Wests, now on the brink of defeat, admirably continued to work hard and ran themselves into the ground but no quick reply came. Rikki Barnes came closet for Wests of pulling a goal back but his shot was blocked in a last minute desperate challenge seeing the ball sail over the bar and at the death, Cook with inches away from grabbing what would have been a consolation goal.
West remain top on goal difference, but face a tricky Blackpool side this weekend who, like this week, start the game just three points behind the leaders.