Derek Adams saluted his “outstanding” Morecambe side after JJ McKiernan’s hat-trick secured them a deserved 3-1 win at Colchester, despite playing for more than an hour with 10 men.
McKiernan headed home Adam Mayor’s 21st-minute corner to give Morecambe the lead but the visitors had James Connolly sent off in the 36th minute after the defender appeared to leave a boot in on Samson Tovide.
McKiernan stabbed home from close range in the 53rd minute after Yann Songo’o had helped on Mayor’s corner and completed his hat-trick in the 61st minute when he collected Donald Love’s pass and ran almost the length of the Colchester half before firing past Owen Goodman.
Adams said: “The performance was outstanding and we opened up Colchester so many times and had so many opportunities on goal.
“The way we passed it, the way we pressed them, the way we allowed their goalkeeper to come to 30 yards out and not affect us and the way we picked them off.
“We hit the post, we made their goalkeeper make saves, we missed chances and then there was the sending off.
“We were already 1-0 up at that time and we had to make two substitutions and take (Jordan) Slew and (Tom) Bloxham off, two of our best players.
“So it was a big shuffle up at that stage and we then got into half-time and kicked on in the second half.
“The goals that JJ scored today to get a hat-trick were excellent.
“He has really found form and found a position that really suits him in the side.”
Colchester bagged a consolation from Cameron McGeehan’s 73rd-minute header following Brad Ihionvien’s assist and Noah Chilvers blazed a stoppage-time penalty over for the hosts, after Songo’o had handled Ihionvien’s shot in the area.
Colchester boss Ben Garner said: “It wasn’t good enough, frankly. Right from the start of the game, we were second best.
“We weren’t competitive, we weren’t intense, people not doing their jobs, people not doing their jobs off a set-piece cost us a goal.
“They then get the red card and we finish the first half well and then in the second half, we don’t do what we spoke about doing at half-time.
“The players want to go and do their own thing and so the team shape goes and we let two really poor goals in and gave ourselves a mountain to climb.
“I apologise to the supporters as it was nowhere near good enough. It’s a million miles away from where it should be but we’ve all seen how good it can be and how good it has been.
“It’s very frustrating that there’s no level of consistency or minimum standard.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Messi now 4 Lords vs EPL Milos Kerkez the Driller but why? LOL Debate = over Thoughts? CRAZY Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Former Chelsea star Abraham set to join BesiktasPer Fabrizio Romano, Turkish giants Besiktas have reached verbal agreement with Serie A side AS Roma to sign Tammy Abraham on a permanent deal this summer. Besiktas have submitted an offer worth €20 million and the ex-Chelsea forward has reportedly accepted the offer to join the club.Staggering salary Bayern have offered Woltemade revealedNick ...
Liverpool are reportedly ready offer young winger Ben Doak to Crystal Palace as they step up their pursuit of centre-back Marc Guehi.The Premier League champions are looking to sign a new central defender following the imminent sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen.According to The Sun, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Doak, 19, following an impressive loan at Middlesbrough.As it happ...
Arsenal have reportedly reached a full agreement on personal terms with Valencia star Cristhian Mosquera. A new bid is said to be being prepared, with the Gunners believing they can conclude a deal with the La Liga side at just over £17million.Valencia are widely reported to have turned down a £12m offer from Arsenal earlier this month. Mikel Arteta, Andrea Berta and Co. remained undette...
Chelsea have agreed a deal worth a total of £60 million ($82m) for Brighton striker Joao Pedro, sources have told ESPN.The 23-year-old had attracted interest from Newcastle but preferred a move to Stamford Bridge and talks with Chelsea developed quickly this week.Sources have told ESPN that Pedro has agreed terms on a seven-year contract in a deal that includes a £55m initial fee with &#...
Sporting CP president Varandas: Gyokeres knows price he can leave forSporting CP president Frederico Varandas says he knows the price he wants to sell Viktor Gyokeres for. However, he insists he won't make the Swede's valuation public.Arsenal and Juventus are the latest clubs in talks with Gyokeres and his agents.Varandas said, "I'm not going to say what the price tag is, the player knows what the...
Frustrated Arsenal turn to Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike Arsenal have jumped into the battle for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.The France U21 star is wanted by Europe's biggest clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool.Fussball Transfers says Arsenal have joined the race for Ekitike.The Gunners are turning to Ekitike after being frustrated in talks for Viktor Gyoke...
Tottenham prepare offer for Genoa defender De WinterTottenham are interested in Genoa defender Koni De Winter.Il Corriere dello Sport says Spurs are preparing a bid for the Holland international.De Winter could arrive as cover - or as a replacement - for senior centre-half Cristian Romero.The North London club has already reached an agreement with Kawasaki Frontal to sign defender Kota Takai. But ...
Jurgen Klopp reveals why he may never return to managementFormer Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp has opened up on his future and revealed why he may never return to management.The 58-year-old ended his nine-year spell at Liverpool after the 2023-24 season, becoming Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer months later.In his recent interview with German outlet Welt, he has suggested t...
Jarell Quansah edges closer to Bayer Leverkusen after medical bookedLiverpool defender Jarell Quansah is one step closer to making the switch to German giants Bayer Leverkusen with the club booking his medical.The two clubs have agreed a fee that could rise to 335 million for the 22-year-old although Liverpool are understood to have a 360 million buy-back clause in the deal.According to Fabrizio R...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World Cup
- 3 Club World Cup 2025: Benfica v Chelsea predictions, best bets and odds
- 4 Mystery blonde who had night out with Kieran Trippier
- 5 Liverpool willing to make swap proposal to Palace for Guehi
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Arsenal interested in signing Cristhian Mosquera
- 8 Salzburg vs Real Madrid Prediction 27 June 2025
- 9 Wayne Rooney gets Erling Haaland ponytail in shock new look
- 10 Arsenal have little chance of Liverpool target