Match Report From Blue Echo
The stage was set to reward Jim Bentley "the gaffer" for his ten year service by awarding him a testimonial against the club he supported as a boy, so David Moyes promised to send up a strong eleven to the Globe Arena the home of the Shrimpers.
The pitch was in immaculate condition after a heavy day of rain the day before and the blue skies were a much welcomed sight for the supporters.
The teams came out side by side to the sound of Z cars as they greeted Jim Bentley to the green surface with a generous round of applause.
It was Jim Bentley who kicked the game off then returning to the dugout as Morecambe attacked the end where Everton fans had sold out their allocation of tickets.
Everton went in front on 7 minutes after being awarded a corner which was taken by Sam Kelly who was signed from Norwich City last season. The corner was partly cleared but Francisco Junior was waiting for the ball to conveniently land at his feet and drive home from thirty yards giving keeper Roache only a glance as he was well beaten.
Shortly after the goal Victor Anichebe split the home defence with a fine pass to team mate Vellios who should have done better with the final touch but Roache denied the Greek U21 with a save.
16 minutes had passed before the Shrimpers engaged their first threat with a lovely run down the left by much travelled Kevin Ellison, his cross was pin point to the head of Alessandre but debutant Mateusz Taudul was equal to it with a fine save.
This pre season game was no different to any from previous years with fitness being more important than the result as the game was played at a steady pace. Morecambe were very limited with their attacks with Ellison being their main instigator with some fine deliveries from the left.
Anyone who had not seen "Cisko" Junior must have been impressed with what they had witnessed and the man came close after Osman in acres of space fed Coleman on the overlap then found Junior who couldn't find that final touch albeit being a good Everton move.
On 37 minutes Junior had a hand in the second goal with captain for the afternoon Osman assisting Vellios to tuck the ball away nicely.
3 minutes later Osman again was at hand to feed Rodwell to secure a third goal and give the blues plenty of breathing space.
HALF TIME MORECAMBE 0 EVERTON 3
Tony Hibbert in his testimonial year and Conor McAleny came on at the break for Sam Kelly and Leon Osman respectively.
McAleny was looking in a lively mood in the second half involved in Everton's first attack finding Vellios in a healthy position but the finish was not of a good standard leaving him very annoyed with himself.
Rodwell attacked strongly on the right, playing to Coleman who had moved to the right side of midfield sending a decent cross to McAleny at the back stick to be thwarted and gaining a corner from it.
Roache did very well to claw out a looping header from that man Junior again on the hour as Everton were seeking to add to their tally.
The attendance was announced with 4,223 the total with Everton making up the numbers with 2,060 travelling up the M6.
Hibbert took the captain's armband after Osman in the second period went into the centre half position on 64 minutes at the expense of Distin who was replaced by Browning who went to right back..
The tempo had slowed down slightly as the damage from the visitors had been inflicted in the first half but 22 minutes from time Victor Anichebe found the net with a crisply taken goal with Vellios assisting him.
Jim Bentley made an appearance with 5 minutes left. The Evertonians were urging the Morecambe legend to score to make his day an unforgettable one on a personal point with a goal.
The moment came in the very last minute as the Everton defence offered their generosity by making the opportunity easier for him to bag one in front of the home fans.
FULL TIME MORECAMBE 1 EVERTON 4
Morecambe: Roach, Parrish, Threlfall, McGhee, Bentley (McCready) Haining (C), Fleming, Wright, Alessandre, Redshaw, Ellison. Subs: Woodhaed (GK), Burrow, Parkinson, Reid, McDonald, Williams, Mwasilie, Lacy, Carlton, Doyle, Short, Curtis
Everton: Taudul, Coleman, Bidwell, Duffy, Distin, (Browning 63)Osman (C) McAleny(45), Rodwell, Junior, Kelly Hibbert (45), Vellios (Vellios 71), Anichebe. , Unused Sub Neville
Match Officials:Ref Mr Jeremy Simpson, Assistants Mr Paul Kettlewell and Mr Lee Metcalfe.
4th Official Mr Ian Gittens
