Morecambe 3 A SENSATIONAL seven minute goal blitz denied Morecambe what looked to be a certain victory in their first away game at Stalybridge Celtic on Tuesday night.
The newly promoted Pennine side lost their manager and half their team to Southport in the Summer, and everyone expects them to struggle.
But lively substitute Winifield Steele , who came on with his side 3-1 down, showed the kind of form new boss Paul Futcher will need in the months ahead.
For his opposite number, Jim Harvey, however, it suggests that the new look Shrimps defence needs to learn how to hang on to a lead.
Ironically, it was Andy Gouck, who played under Futcher at Southport, who opened the scoring after just eight minutes with an expertly taken free kick.
However, Ged Courtney put his side back on level terms, only to see the other half of Morecambe's Southport connection, Ian Arnold, score from the spot after a foul on Robbie Talbot.
Gouck created the third goal for Gary Thompson on the hour mark, the young striker showing the attacking form which saw him establish himself in the first team last term to, seemingly, put the game beyond Celtic's reach.
However, the introduction of young Steele changed things round, with a well taken first goal on 79 minutes giving his side hope. Within a minute, Steele struck fear into the Morecambe back four again, shooting at new keeper Craig Mawson, who was unable to hold the ball and allowed Steve Pickford to grab the equaliser.
The travelling Morecambe fans were on a knife edge and it came as no surprise to see that man Steele again who fired home. With the season only four days old, its not time to panic yet, but Morecambe have two chances to correct the situation during the bank holiday weekend.
Firstly, they face the long trip to Woking on Saturday, for a game against one of the Conference's London commuter belt teams. At least this time they don't have to face the M6 in midweek as well as the opposition. Bank Holiday Monday sees Telford make the trip to Christie Park.
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