Shrimps outfit looks formidable

A FINE strike by Morecambe defender Greg Brown sealed a convincing win over new look Carlisle United.

The experienced left back's superb shot from the edge of the penalty area put the result beyond doubt in a game Morecambe dominated.

Carlisle had chances early on, with triallist John O'Neil putting a nicely hit free kick just wide after only a couple of minutes.

But, with midfielders Stewart Drummond and Steve Walters forming what looks set to be a strong partnership, the Shrimps began to pile on the pressure.

Drummond tested keeper Nicholson with a 20 yard drive and a dipping shot by striker John Norman flew just inches over the bar.

Morecambe took a deserved lead on 29 minutes. A corner by Andy Lyons bounced around the six yard box and, with Carlisle struggling to clear, former Burnley striker Phil Eastwood swivelled to fire a powerful shot into the back of the net. Eastwood and Norman will share the responsibility of replacing £180,000 man Justin Jackson and both looked well capable of filling the new Rushden and Diamonds star's golden boots. Morecambe began to turn the screw after the goal, with Adriano Rigoglioso, Norman and normally goal shy right back Andy Fensome all going close before the break.

The second half saw Carlisle triallist David Lee began to turn on the style which left top flight defenders floundering in his days with Bolton, but, too often, his team-mates were unable to pick up on his clever passing.

In fact, several of the players seemed more interested in kicking Walters and Drummond, and referee Steve Catterall's failure to take stern action lead to a bust up on the hour.

An admittedly bad Walters challenge prompted players from both sides to pile in, with Walters, Eastwood and Carlisle's Richard Prokas substituted at Mr Catterall's request. But on 63 minutes Brown sealed victory for the team which finished third in the conference over the side which struggled to third from bottom in the football league.

Carlisle's first cash signing in three years, Northwich right back Mark Birch, had a torrid time against the impressive Andy Lyons.

And Morecambe look to have one of their strongest squads ever, with new signings Rigoglioso, Walters, Lyons, Smith and Chris Price particularly impressive. Afterwards, boss Jim Harvey said he was pleased with his side's improvement, but unhappy with the referee's performance.

"Steve Walters was whacked twice before that, but we'd hardly committed a foul before that. But if you are getting abused like that, you've got to look after yourself. We've still got work to do, but I'm starting to see good results."