11th March 2017
After an encouraging first-half performance, the Glovers took the lead in memorable fashion just before the break as Matt Butcher unleashed an unstoppable 25-yard volley.
Having ended the half on a high it was a disappointing start to the second, as Antony Evans equalised just seven minutes after the restart.
Determined not to drop points once again from a winning position, Alex Lacey restored the Green and Whites advantage on 65 minutes before Bevis Mugabi made it 3-1 to send the travelling fans into raptures.
Town continued to pepper the Shrimps goal and could’ve added more to their tally, but settled for a much-needed three points in Lancashire.
Searching for that illusive win, Darren Way made one change to the side that was emphatically beaten by Luton Town last time out.
Reverting to the more familiar 4-3-3 after three games with two upfront, Tom Eaves came into the centre of a front three in place of Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro who dropped to the bench.
Youngster Ollie Bassett also took a seat amongst the substitutes in Lancashire fresh from a loan spell at Dorchester Town, coming in for the injured Brandon Goodship (foot).
In a dull and drizzly afternoon in Lancashire the Glovers began in bright and energetic style, forcing home stopper Barry Roche in to two good saves in the opening exchanges.
With five minutes on the clock, Ben Whitfield’s low drive from 25 yards was just about kept out by the veteran ‘keeper, before the lead was almost taken from a set-piece.
Whitfield’s corner was tantalisingly delivered into the box, with the stooping Lacey seeing his header tipped over by Roche in an encouraging opening 10 minutes.
At the other end, Kevin Ellison fired into the arms of Artur Krysiak – celebrating his 100th appearance for Town – before enjoying a spell of pressure themselves.
As a result, Way made an early tactical switch to 4-4-2, utilising Kevin Dawson and Whitfield on the wings with Francois Zoko partnering Eaves upfront.
The switch in formation seemed to nullify Morecambe’s 4-3-1-2, and it was Dawson in his new wide position who teed up Eaves for a header that drifted just wide on 28 minutes.
As the game edged towards the break Krysiak had to be alert to push Lee Molyneux’s low effort around the post, before the visitors took the lead in stunning circumstances.
With his first touch since replacing the injured Alex Lawless, Butcher looped a stunning volley over Roche from 25-yards to open the scoring in style.
Without a goal in four games it was some way back into the scoring swing of things, as Yeovil went in at the break buoyed by the Bournemouth loanee’s moment of magic.
Having spurned the lead in matches against Cambridge and Leyton Orient in recent games, Way’s side would’ve been keen to remain on the front foot in the second 45 minutes.
That looked like it would be the case when Whitfield whizzed an effort just wide in the opening exchanges of the second half, before Morecambe piled on the pressure.
Molyneux and Ellison both had tame efforts stopped, before Mullin raced through on goal only to be denied brilliantly by the Polish stopper who’d raced from his line to narrow the angle.
Entrenched in the Yeovil half the Shrimps weren’t to be denied for long though, as Mullin’s low drive was saved by Krysiak, only for Evans to tuck home the rebound from close range.
Fearing the prospect of more dropped points, Yeovil steadied the ship after conceding before resurrecting their dominance at the Globe Arena.
Troubling Roche all afternoon, the Glovers restored their lead as the impressive Whitfield’s cross ricocheted to Lacey at the back post who made no mistake in finding the net.
Now ahead, Yeovil pushed to put game beyond doubt and did so in similar fashion on 72 minutes, as Whitfield’s corner was headed home emphatically by Mugabi for his first league goal for the Glovers.
Keen to avoid a nervy closing quarter of an hour, Way’s side adopted the adage of attack being the best form of defence and peppered Morecambe’s goal in search of a fourth.
Dolan saw a 35-yard drive cannon off the post with Zoko somehow firing over on the rebound, whilst Liam Shephard had a rasping effort pushed away by the busy Roche.
Whitfield, who deserved a goal, dragged an effort just wide in the final 10 minutes whilst Eaves pulled a shot just wide as the Shrimps shrivelled due to the pressure applied by Town.
Despite four minutes of added time the Green and Whites held firm to notch an impressive three points on the road, ending a run of four games without a goal and moving 11 points clear of the drop to keep eyes firmly looking up.
Morecambe: Roche; Edwards, Winnard, Whitmore; Duckworth, Evans (Turner 78’), Murphy, Molyneux; Wildig; Ellison (Jordan 78’), Mullin.
Bookings:
Subs not used: Nizic, Wakefield, McGowan, Conlan, Fleming.
Yeovil Town: Krysiak; Shephard, Mugabi, Lacey, Dickson; Dawson, Lawless (Butcher 43’), Dolan; Whitfield, Eaves, Zoko.
Bookings: Butcher 83’
Subs not used: Maddison, James, Goodship, Harrison, Akpa Akpro, Sowunmi.