Ged Garner stars as Morecambe beat Crawley

By Sports Desk February 03, 2024

Striker Ged Garner scored twice as League Two play-off chasers Morecambe came from behind to beat Crawley 2-1.

Harry Forster gave the hosts an ideal start with an early lead, but Garner replied before the break and later won the match with a cool finish in the 86th minute.

This was the Shrimps’ sixth away league win, leaving them four points off the top seven, while Crawley have now lost four of their last five home league games.

Crawley boss Scott Lindsey went into the clash admitting his young side were “on track” to achieve the “in house targets” they have set themselves.

Former Bromley winger Forster gave the Reds an early boost by firing into the bottom corner to the left of keeper Archie Mair for his first Crawley league goal from an assist by ex-Morecambe forward Adam Campbell in the 17th minute.

Crawley keeper Corey Addai came to his side’s rescue by denying Garner in a one-on-one situation before Forster and Nick Tsaroulla both had shots saved at the other end.

Morecambe levelled 10 minutes before the break when Garner, on loan from Barrow, cleverly turned in a first time close-range shot after being set up by David Tutonda.

Crawley had a let off shortly after the break when debutant Julian Larsson crossed for Garner and his close-range effort was kept out by Addai.

Mair kept Morecambe level by producing saves from Campbell and Liam Kelly in quick succession.

Garner popped up to win it for Morecambe six minutes from time, scoring with a low finish from a tight angle.

Related items

  • Spain must 'stick to football' at Euro 2024 - De la Fuente Spain must 'stick to football' at Euro 2024 - De la Fuente

    Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has urged the national side to concentrate on their football at Euro 2024 and block out the noise surrounding the RFEF.

    Former RFEF president Luis Rubiales was dismissed following his unsolicited kiss on Jenni Hermoso during the Women's World Cup trophy ceremony in 2023 and was then arrested in early April as part of a corruption investigation.

    Pedro Rocha, who was initially named as Rubiales’ replacement, is also under investigation amid the corruption probe.

    The RFEF then created a special committee at the end of April, led by former Spain manager Vicente del Bosque, to oversee the federation until there is an official election for their next president.

    However, De la Fuente told Reuters that he wants his squad’s full attention on the tournament itself. 

    He said: "We have to concern ourselves with purely, strictly sporting matters - which we have enough of.

    "We have to focus on what we can control. This is very, very basic, but it's very real. Stick to football.

    "I'm concerned about how the facilities are going to be, the training camp, the pitches, the travel. And on the pitch, because the players know that we are going to be judged for what we do on the pitch.

    "Everything else, all the media noise that exists around us, is not going to help us. So then we have to be totally and absolutely focused on what is, for us, the most important thing: the competition."

    Spain will begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Croatia in Group B on June 15. Their pool also includes Italy and Albania.

  • Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women

    Tottenham Women manager Robert Vilahamn believes his side will use their FA Cup final defeat to start something special, rather than ending their good work.

    Spurs were hammered 4-0 by Manchester United Women in Sunday's Wembley Stadium showpiece as Ella Toone and Rachel Williams were on target before Lucia Garcia's second-half double.

    Vilahamn's side failed to manage a shot on target but the Spurs boss suggested his team will catch up to the women's elite clubs.

    "The main thing I said was this is not the end, it is the beginning," Vilahamn said.

    "We still have a gap between us and the top teams but that's normal. We are closing the gap but we haven't closed the gap yet."

    Tottenham finished sixth in the Women's Super League as well as reaching this final, their first FA Cup showpiece appearance in their short history.

    Vilahamn wants his Spurs players to use this defeat as motivation going forward.

    "If you take away the feelings right now, you need to look at these players doing some incredible things this year," he said.

    "We are at Wembley playing in front of our fans and they are actually enjoying it and staying, and supporting us after.

    "We got a good experience today and we are learning how to play at Wembley more times. We need to look at it that way because the players are amazing."

  • Erik ten Hag: Man United fans are understanding of situation Erik ten Hag: Man United fans are understanding of situation

    Erik ten Hag is confident he still has the understanding of supporters after Manchester United's poor run of form continued with defeat to Arsenal.

    United were beaten 1-0 by Premier League title chasers Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday in a game that saw them create little.

    While United did well to restrict Arsenal's chances, they had just two shots on target themselves - long-rangers from Casemiro and Antony.

    The Red Devils have had to contend with a number of injury problems this season, not least against Arsenal with a makeshift defence fielded.

    And for that reason, Ten Hag - whose job beyond this season has been called into question - believes the fanbase remain supportive.

    "They understand where we are and where this club is," he told Sky Sports. "We have so many injuries in key areas.

    "The fans don't get what they deserve, but they understand this and that is why they are behind the team.

    "I think that is why they are with us we are united. Hopefully we can pay them back in the future."

    Ten Hag pointed out that United were without seven possible starters, forcing him to field veteran Jonny Evans alongside Casemiro at centre-back.

    Casemiro was at fault for Arsenal's goal as he was slow getting back up the field, meaning Havertz was onside before teeing up Trossard.

    Ten Hag, though, was not willing to point the finger of blame at the underperforming midfielder.

    "In that situation he is a midfielder playing in that position and making a small mistake, but it has hard consequences," he said.

    "Before that, in possession we could have done better in others positions. It's details."

    Eighth-placed United have won just one of their past eight league matches in a run that includes a 4-0 thumping at Crystal Palace earlier in the week.

    The Red Devils have lost 19 games in all competitions this season, which is their most since 1977-78 when also losing 19.

    Asked if he believes he is the man to turn things around, Ten Hag said: "I have no doubt about this.

    "Mostly, this team has the right spirit and they execute the rules and principles of the game even if they have to adapt in their positions.

    "I can only be happy and it is a big compliment for this team that they executed all that they could and they were fighting."

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.