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          2017-18 English FA Cup, Round 1
          Morecambe Morecambe MOR
          3
          FT
          0
          Hartlepool United Hartlepool United HART
          • Kevin Ellison (4')
          • Andrew Fleming (67')
          • Scott Loach (85' OG)

          Shrimps ease through with win against Hartlepool

          Nov 4, 2017
          • PA Sport

          Struggling Morecambe put their poor league form behind them to earn a place in the second round of the FA Cup with a 3-0 win over Hartlepool.
          After scoring a confidence-boosting early goal through Kevin Ellison, the Shrimps added two more after the break to overcome tough National League opponents.
          Morecambe started the game superbly and forced Hartlepool goalkeeper Scott Loach into a brilliant save after just 30 seconds when he tipped a dipping Adam McGurk shot over the crossbar at full-stretch.
          Loach did well to save at the feet of Steve Old as the ball bounced around the box from the resulting corner, but he was beaten after four minutes.
          Aaron Wildig's initial shot was blocked but Ellison reacted sharply to slot home the loose ball with a left-foot shot from 10 yards.
          The pressure continued from the home side with Wildig volleying over before Hartlepool finally began to get a foothold in the game.
          The National League side started the second half on the front foot with Jonathan Franks seeing a near-post volley superbly saved by Barry Roche.
          Kenton Richardson also went close when he raced in at the far post to head into the side-netting.
          But as Pools pushed bodies forward they were undone on the break by the Shrimps. Substitute Vadaine Oliver made an immediate impression with a neat through pass for midfielder Andy Fleming who ran in on goal and slotted the ball under the advancing Loach.
          The home side added a third three minutes from time with an unfortunate Loach own goal. Adam Campbell hit the foot of a post but the ball came out and hit the keeper on the back of the head and ended up in the back of the net.