Shez blasts lack of killer instinct

NEAL EARDLEY sees his penalty saved in the shoot-out.

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JOHN SHERIDAN blasted Athletic’s woeful finishing after they tripped over at the first hurdle in this season’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Sheridan’s men ultimately lost an eventful penalty shoot-out involving seven kicks per side, but the game should have been over within 90 minutes.

They blew a series of chances against League Two strugglers Morecambe, who cancelled out Danny Whitaker’s goal but also rode their luck and were indebted to the excellence of ‘keeper Barry Roche.

And while Athletic won’t be too concerned about exiting their least important competition, Sheridan accused them of lacking killer instinct.

The manager said: “I know I made a few changes to my team, but the players I put out were more than good enough to win.

“We had the opportunities to bury Morecambe in the first half-hour. We could have been 3-0 up so I’m very frustrated.

“If we had been more ruthless the game would have been out of sight, so we’ve got to make sure we take our chances better.

“Credit to Morecambe because they came back into it and won on penalties, but I need my players to show killer instinct.

“I’m not feeling too negative because we played some excellent football in the first half and zipped it around well, but I’m sick of saying we need to take care of the ball.

“Danny Whitaker did that – he was the best player on the pitch by a mile – but I don’t know how many times I shouted the same things. Some of the lads have got to listen more.”

After Athletic had proved so wasteful during an open game, it was Morecambe who did their best to throw it away in the shoot-out.

Whitaker, Kevin Maher and Craig Davies scored for Athletic, but Neal Eardley was denied by a brilliant save and Chris O’Grady hit the bar, giving Morecambe two bites at the cherry to go through.

Both were squandered as one kick almost cleared the Rochdale Road End and Greg Fleming saved the next, so at 3-3 we went into sudden death.

Kelvin Lomax was successful but Lewis Alessandra missed the target. Finally, Morecambe’s Andy Parrish had the honour of sealing victory.

Earlier, Lee Hughes was the first culprit in front of goal after being presented with a clear opening in the eighth minute.

Hughes was gifted the ball in acres of space, only to fail in his one-on-one against Roche by driving at the woodwork from 10 yards.

Roche, however, was soon made to earn his corn, pulling off a terrific stop at point-blank range after Deane Smalley connected with Eardley’s cross.

Stefan Stam had to clear off the line when Stewart Drummond’s corner almost flew straight in, but otherwise it was all Athletic.

Midfield man Whitaker went close from distance before both he and Alessandra – on for the injured Hughes – were denied by Roche.

For a time the visiting ‘keeper fought a one-man battle, but Fleming added some heroics at the other end as he sprinted off his line to block Diarmuid O’Carroll.

Alessandra looked guaranteed to score before the break, only for Parrish, the Morecambe right-back, to react quicker and get the crucial last touch three yards out.

And yet another chance went begging after 52 minutes as the lively Craig Davies was unable to steer his effort on target with Roche caught in No Man’s Land.

Athletic finally broke through after a neat move down the right which was started by Mark Allott and continued by Davies.

The Wales international striker passed inside to Whitaker, who hit a crisp first-time shot from 16 yards for his second goal of the season.

The most likely scenario was now for Athletic to ease into round two, yet they had a rude awakening as Morecambe stormed back on to level terms within nine minutes.

Jim Bentley had already headed against the woodwork when O’Carroll crossed from the right and Drummond took advantage of space at the far post to volley home.

Sheridan’s side – flying high and with plenty of goals to their name in Coca-Cola League One – went decidedly downhill, although both ‘keepers made useful saves before the tie reached its conclusion from the spot.

Disappointment for Athletic, but a positive result in Saturday’s match at Tranmere would provide ample compensation.