MX23RW : Wednesday, December 11 19:40:52| >> :600:777372:777372:
[monks data]
Morecambe
League Two
May 31, 2021 at 3pm UK
Wembley Stadium
Newport County

Morecambe
1 - 0
Newport

Mendes Gomes (107' pen.)
Mendes Gomes (108'), O'Sullivan (112')
FT
(aet)

Labadie (96'), Demetriou (120')

Morecambe 1-0 Newport: Shrimps promoted to League One for first time

Morecambe 1-0 Newport: Shrimps promoted to League One for first time
© Reuters
The Shrimps managed to maintain their flawless record at Wembley.

A controversial penalty decision gave Morecambe the crucial goal as they reached the third tier of English Football for the first time in their history.

Neither side were able to find the back of the net in normal time, but in the second half of extra time the deadlock was eventually broken by Carlos Mendes Gomes' penalty.

The Spaniard sent goalkeeper Tom King the wrong way after referee Bobby Madley had pointed to the spot when substitute John O'Sullivan was brought down by Ryan Haynes, but the contact appeared to be outside the area.

In the absence of VAR, however, the decision stood.

Newport had a penalty shout themselves turned down in the first half, when Shrimps goalkeeper Kyle Letheren appeared to make contact with Scot Bennett's head, but the referee that time waived play on.

The Shrimps managed to maintain their flawless record at Wembley, having won their only two previous appearances at the stadium – a 2007 Conference play-off final against Exeter and the 1974 FA Trophy final.

It was also manager Derek Adams' second promotion from the fourth tier, having led Plymouth out of League Two in 2016-17.

With Wembley opening its doors to 9,083 fans, it was Morecambe who had the first chance of the game in the second minute when Mendes Gomes drove the ball wide of the target from the edge of the area.

Despite the Shrimps's early pressure, it was Newport who came closest with Bennett's header going just wide of the post after a long throw from Mickey Demetriou.

The Welsh club felt aggrieved when Bennett was struck by Letheren having beaten the goalkeeper to the ball.

Newport continued to look dangerous from the long throw in, with another opportunity midway through the first half, but Josh Sheehan's effort from the edge of the box lacked power and was easily gathered by Letheren.

The 34th minute was marked with applause from both teams in memory of former Morecambe player Christian Mbulu, who died on May 26, 2020.

Shrimps goalkeeper Letheren kept the game goalless in the 78th minute with a low diving save to deny Liam Shephard's curled low drive.

With the prospect of extra-time looming, Exiles manager Michael Flynn brought on former Morecambe player Kevin Ellison, who became the oldest outfield player to appear in the EFL play-off final at the age of 42.

In added time Newport again went close, but captain Joss Labadie, who was recalled for the final after suffering a gashed knee earlier in the month, fired over from five yards out after being found by a well-weighted cross from Nicky Maynard.

With the game looking to be heading towards penalties, Morecambe were awarded the key spot-kick and Mendes Gomes made no mistake to seal his side's historic promotion to League One.

ID:449722: cacheID:449722:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5218:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Kevin Ellison of Morecambe celebrates victory during the Sky Bet League Two match between Yeovil Town and Morecambe at Huish Park on September 5, 2015
Read Next:
Kevin Ellison vows to give Sir Stanley Matthews "a run for his money"
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Walsall18114334191537
2Port Vale1910542619735
3Doncaster RoversDoncaster199642822633
4Crewe AlexandraCrewe188732216631
5Grimsby Town1910182728-131
6AFC Wimbledon1893630161430
7MK Dons1793530191130
8Chesterfield1977533231028
9Notts County187742518728
10Gillingham188281916326
11Bradford CityBradford186752319425
12Salford City186661719-224
13BarrowBarrow186571817123
14Bromley185852323023
15Cheltenham TownCheltenham196582528-323
16Fleetwood TownFleetwood175752322122
17Newport CountyNewport186482128-722
18Colchester UnitedColchester184952322121
19Harrogate TownHarrogate1963101628-1221
20Accrington StanleyAccrington184682533-818
21Tranmere RoversTranmere184681225-1318
22Swindon TownSwindon193792333-1016
23Morecambe1935111934-1514
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle1835101530-1514


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!