Shrimps get the party started

THE Shrimps were in the pink as they got the play off party started with the most professional of displays at Kidderminster on Saturday.

The 1-0 win confirmed what everyone knew weeks ago - the simple fact that Morecambe are a real force in the Conference and have every opportunity to make the step up in the Football League.

No feet are being lifted off the ground at the moment, though. Boss Sammy McIlroy is fully aware that the job isn't done yet. It is a 'well done boys' time - but the manager knows the hard work starts now.

But the achievement of reaching the play-offs should not be under played, although McIlroy will not be happy unless his men play to their potential in the annual drama of those extra games.

Kidderminster, under their young and ambitious boss Mark Yates, have done well this season and reached the FA Trophy final. Saturday was their last home game of the season and it was party time - but Morecambe spoiled those festivities as they laid to rest the ghosts of the woeful show at Weymouth.

A wonderful turnout of travelling supporters raised the roof from the off and the players were in no mood to disappoint.

The recalled Craig Stanley was a real driving force while Ged Brannan - getting a rare start - also proved there is no substitute for experience on the football field.

Morecambe started well and Danny Carlton was not far off target with a cute 25-yard lob while the adventurous Stanley scorched a 30-yard volley just wide after Garry Thompson tricked and teased the Harriers defence.

In fact, the home side were no force until Iyesden Christie dived appallingly under a nothing' tackle from Brannan. Fortunately Neil Sorvel did his job in the wall and Jeff Kenna's free-kick was cleared.

Brannan then tried the most remarkable bits of skill as he juggled the ball before volleying from fully 30-yards. Sadly it was right at Bevan - but it was a moment of skill that brought smiles to faces.

Then Stanley's arcing ball was perfect for Carlton to run onto and the striker's first time volley was only just wide with Bevan struggling to make his ground.

Steven Drench had his only action on 36 minutes when he was quick out of his area to clear the danger as Kidderminster broke quickly, the keeper's speed of thought making sure he didn't come a cropper.

Then came the decisive moment as Brannan's through ball was perfect for Thompson to run onto. The flyer tore down on goal and rounded Bevan as though he was a training ground cone. Bevan, in desperation, hauled Thompson to the floor and the penalty and red card were inevitable.

Thompson had to wait almost three minutes before being allowed to take the spot kick - but nothing was going to put him off and he beat sub keeper Steve Taylor with inch-perfect precision.

There was a worry in stoppage time when Brannan and Jim Bentley collided and both went down holding their heads.

But Scousers are tough - and those two Scousers are made of granite, although Bentley resembled a new-born giraffe as he stumbled to his feet with bandy legs going in any direction for a second.

They were both okay to continue and the second half saw Morecambe in control as the fans cranked up the volume even higher.

The away end was a sea of colour and a wall of noise as the Shrimps surged forward in search of a second goal, which would have destroyed the Harriers.

Thompson volleyed over before going so close to the goal of the season, no mean feat given some of the quality strikes during this campaign.

Carlton was freed by the ever energetic Stanley and he gave the ball to Adam Yates. Yates pushed the ball into Thompson, lurking 20 yards out with his back to goal.

In one movement Thompson flicked the ball up and over his shoulder and hit an acrobatic volley which was destined for the top corner until Taylor, somehow, got a fingertip to it.

Unbelieveable save - and Thompson couldn't quite believe the stop.

Stanley's slide-rule pass put Thompson in and he won a corner which Bentley should have scored from with a free header before Michael Blackwood escaped a certain red card when he pulled Thompson back...the most dubious of offside decisions saved him - Thompson cannot have been offside as he ran through with the ball, although he was flagged.

Morecambe were in complete control and Carlton flashed a header wide before Kidderminster finally showed and Gavin Hurren blazed over two minutes from time when he should really have hit the target as the Shrimps only half cleared a corner.

An equaliser would have been harsh and the final whistle saw celebrations kick off - and the party ran all the way back up the M6.