fbpx
Connect with us

Morecambe

Dramatic scenes as Morecambe score 98th minute winner in their first game since takeover

There were dramatic scenes at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium as Morecambe score a 98th minute winner in their first game since their takeover.

The Shrimps kicked off their first fixture of the 2025/26 season witha a 2-1 victory over Altrincham, the first under new owners Panjab Warriors and manager Ashvir Singh Johal (the first Sikh to manage a British professional club).

After a turbulent week involving a club saving takeover, Derek Adams’ dismissal, and 12 new signings, it was Ben Tollitt opened the scoring in the 8th minute.

Altrincham’s Jimmy Knowles levelled the scoreline on 35 minutes, but following a tense second half, substitute Daniel Ogwuru, who signed the day before the game, produced a low finish in the 8th minute of stoppage time, to spark wild celebrations.

Morecambe: Mair, Hendrie, Conte (Ogwuru, 77′), Francillette, Edwards, Panayiotou, Cain, Williams (Campbell, 67′), Lewis, Tollitt, Songo’o

Subs not used: Scales, Dobson, Fairclough

Goals: Tollitt (6′), Ogwuru (90+8′)

Bookings: Edwards, Williams

Red cards:

Altrincham: Hutchinson, Banks (C), Marriott (Osborne, 67′), Ward (Kosylo, 75′), Knowles, Reddin, Crawford, Golden, Barnes, Sassi, Kirk (Gale, 67′)

Subs not used: Reed, Raymond, Weaver, Fallon

Goals: Knowles (34′)

Bookings: Kirk

Red cards:

Attendance: 3,408 (208 away)

Pat Stoyles, chair of fans’ group The Shrimps’ Trust said in BBC Sport’s report: “We thought we were gone, dead and buried.

“We just wanted to not be humiliated today. Now it’s turned into a fairytale hasn’t it?

“The atmosphere all day has been electric. It was perfect.”

Another fan called Zoe, who has attended Morecambe games with her Dad for the last 19 years, said: “Today has been all about bringing the club back together.

“For so long we have wanted to come out with our friends and family and get all the Shrimps as one again. It’s just a great feeling. The whole town has been raring to go.”

A supporter named Josh said: “For the first few weeks of the season, while we’ve not been playing, I haven’t known what to do with myself. You lose your routine and the people you go with. I really thought we were going to be liquidated.

“I’ve been coming since I was five. My grandad first took me, and he’s passed away now. Having the club back means we keep that family, generational link going.”

Video Credit – BBC Sport Lancashire

After the game, Morecambe boss Ashvir Singh Johal said: “I have a clear process. Becoming a manager has been my aim for four or five years now. I’ve had a lot of good experiences, so my job is to ignore everything on the outside and make sure the recruitment is right and that there is a good gameplan.

“On Thursday and Friday, the players were on the pitch. Because they haven’t trained together before, we had to limit their exposure to the outside and focus on fitness.

“The sessions were about 45 minutes long and we talked about the principles of how we want to play. We were very clear on the style.

“The players have been amazing. They have supported me a lot. I think it’s going to be an exciting journey.”

Here’s how fans reacted following dramatic scenes as Morecambe score a 98th minute winner in their first game since their takeover…

@MorecambeFCFeed: We’ll never forget this day, what’s just happened 😂😂😂😂

@RedCollectiveUK: That result should be dedicated to every single player, staff member, supporter and volunteer of the club, who have been exemplary throughout this recent sorry saga. You’ve all been an absolute credit to not only your team but the game itself. Onwards and upwards for The Shrimps!

@Jordan09A: This will go down in our history. What a moment and what a feeling 😍🦐

@gm888__: We are so fucking back. What a performance, every single one of them. ASH JOHAL’S BARMY ARMY

@TheStig1997825: the most unanimously this league will ever celebrate a scoreline

@ajmerk: What a game and what a story. Credit to Ashvir Johal for bringing the club back in 3 days and taking all 3 points!!!! 1st game in senior management, what a way to announce yourself 🔥🔥

@Phillips10Alec: Want football is all about

@Caprani14:
We can hear him crying in Essex
He said Morecambe belonged to him
One chat with Rod Taylor and he said Ciao
Fuck off Jason we’ve got Panjab now

@JackFieldhous12: How great for morecambe, a few weeks ago they thought they wouldn’t have a club to support, bet some of those fans have never celebrated a goal so hard

@AdamBat92308251: Proves that when everyone is pushing in the same direction positive results can be achieved against the odds. Well done all. Keep working.

@MFC_jordan: you couldn’t fucking write it, unreal that was wow. went from being 48 hours away from folding, got bought, built a squad in the space of a few days and then scored a 98th minute winner right infront of the halo. morecambe fc will never die 👏🏻👏🏻

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Morecambe