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Morecambe host fifth-placed Portsmouth in League One clash

Photo Credit: Morecambe FC official website.

Photo: Flickr/ Paul Armstrong

Live coverage of Morecambe’s League One clash with Portsmouth.

With overcast conditions at the Mazuma Stadium, Morecambe host Portsmouth for a League One clash, pitting two sides at opposite ends of the table against each other.

While the hosts sit 22nd in the League One standings, Pompey look to establish a lead over sixth-placed Bolton Wanderers.

Connor Ripley starts for Morecambe in goal while Donald Love captains the Shrimps, returning from injury. Max Melbourne also starts on the bench following an injury earlier in the season.

At the other end of the pitch, Josh Griffiths stands between the sticks while Clark Robertson leads Portsmouth’s away side.

The whistle is blown by referee Adam Herczeg and Morecambe get the match underway after winning the coin toss.

The match gets going in quick tempo, possession switching hands as both teams look for weak points in the other’s defence.

A near-miss for Morecambe as a cross glides over Portsmouth’s box, narrowly missing their man. Portsmouth are quick on the counter attack but the Shrimps knock the ball out for a corner.

After a tackle from Portsmouth, Caleb Watts goes down on the pitch for a brief period, returning to the pitch after a brief assessment. The home side are not happy as the ref continues play.

Jensen Weir lines up to take a free kick for Morecambe after a foul but hits Portsmouth’s wall. It heads off for a corner.

Another missed opportunity for Shrimps as Ryan Cooney has no other option but to send it into the box. The ball meets one of his teammates, but Pompey are quick to remove the threat.

A powerful shot from Owen Dale is narrowly sent over the post, with two corner following. On the second, Ryan Delaney goes down in the box, heading off the pitch for a quick evaluation.

Another opportunity from Portsmouth’s Connor Ogilvie saw him fire the ball into the box, then being sent low into Ripley’s gloves.

The Shrimps net the first of the game following a strong run into the box from Adam Mayor. It was passed to Liam Shaw who tapped it neatly into the goal.

Morecambe are quick to pounce again, but ultimately fall short, leaving the score line at 1-0.

Portsmouth captain Robertson goes onto the ground, being carried off by medical staff before continuing on with the game.

Four minutes have been added on to the first half. Quickly, Shrimps use this to their advantage, running into the box but sending the ball wide.

The first half draws to a close with Morecambe leading at home. This came dramatically, however, with a fast Morecambe counterattack by Weir narrowly foiled by Griffiths.

The game gets back underway, Pompey starting the second half behind by one and needing to secure at least one goal to have anything to show for their long journey.

Captain Robertson has been replaced by Denver Hume for the second half.

Immediately Morecambe establishes what they need to do. Caleb Watts fires the ball towards goal, but it narrowly drifts wide.

Watts continues to find opportunities, placing himself in the box to collect a cross from Cooney. However, the header proved to be slightly wide.

Morecambe’s defence continues to prove impenetrable, stopping attacks on multiple occasions to secure their one-goal lead.

Colby Bishop finds the goal for Pompey as it skates past Ripley into the net. Portsmouth are now equal at 1-1. The away side now seem to hold momentum as opportunities continue to form.

A bad tackle by Shrimps captain Donald Love sees him booked by the ref, being handed the first yellow card of the match.

Another miss for Morecambe arrives as their subs Connolly and Stockton run at the opposition. However, when the shot is taken, the ball goes wide once again.

Connolly has yet another opportunity to put his team ahead, but can’t break past the keeper who deflects it for a corner.

The shots keep on coming as Morecambe are on fire. Gnahoua collects a strong ball to the box but skates it past the far post. With seven minutes of full-time left, the clock is ticking for both sides to find a winner.

Max Melbourne returns to the pitch for Shrimps after an injury earlier in the year, replacing captain Love.

Six minutes of extra time have been added to the clock.

The game ends on equal terms with both sides walking away with a single point. Neither side move up nor down in the tables.

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