University challenge!

AN unforgettable own goal set Morecambe on their way to an impressive FA Cup victory over Conference rivals Forest Green.

The Shrimps now face Cambridge United of the second division in what is, effectively, the second part of their own university challenge after last season's narrow failure to overcome Oxford United at the same stage.

But they had defender Wayne Hatswell to thank for setting them on their way to this fine result and the chance of a windfall in two weeks' time.

Hatswell had plenty of time to clear the ball as it rolled harmlessly along the line after keeper Steve Perrin got a hand to a John Norman shot.

Hatswell could easily have turned and blasted the ball under the stand. He could even have written his name on the ball. Instead, for reasons best known to himself, he chose to fire a powerful shot into the top right hand corner of the net.

The amazed Morecambe players celebrated wildly and took the 1-0 lead which, despite the manner of the goal they fully deserved, into half time.

Forest Green, boasting former Premiership stars in Jason Drysdale, Frankie Bennett and former England cap Tony Daley, attempted to rally as the second half commenced.

But it was Morecambe who doubled the advantage and, once again, it was young gun Ryan-Zico Black who was the creative force behind it.

John Norman, who also missed a first half penalty, got on the end of the teenager's 64th minute cross and hit the ball past Perrin to secure passage to the second round.

Another youngster to have impressed in recent weeks is Gary Thompson, and he made the game secure nine minutes from time, with Norman again pivotal.

The wideman found space in the area and his powerful shot produced what was (in pure football terms) the best goal of the game.

His goal also signalled the end for Forest Green boss frank Gregan, sacked on Monday after seven years in charge.

Cambridge United visit Christie Park on Saturday, December 9. Get your tickets early for what is surely Morecambe best chance in years to mix it with the big boys in the third round of the FA Cup. nMORECAMBE also face league opposition in the first round of the LDV Vans Trophy. They travel to Lincoln City in the former Auto Windscreens cup competition, with the tie due to be played in the week beginning December 4. nDAVID Ginola did play for Aston Villa reserves as Blackburn Rovers' second string began their winter residence at Christie Park. The game finished 1-1 and attracted a crowd of over 1,000.

Off the Ball We'd have all forgotten about this soon... won't we?

PICTURE the scene.

You are Forest Green Rovers defender Wayne Hatswell. You've just had a successful trial spell at Northampton Town and the world is at your feet.

You're playing in the FA Cup against Morecambe in front of TV's Match of the Day cameras. You know that you could boost your value even further with a steady performance. In fact, play well and you could even have Alan Hansen drooling over your performance and hailing you as the defensive prospect in British football.

Then you see Morecambe striker John Norman beat two defenders and shoot. Your keeper Steve Perrin saves and the ball bounces slowly toward the line.

But don't worry, you're there. Super Wayne Hatswell will sort it. You're under no pressure, you've got time to sit on the ball, sign it, write the complete works of Shakespeare on it if that takes your fancy. But let's just give it a whack and get it out of here...

The manager is screaming at you. The players are shaking their heads in disbelief. The manager is going mental. The Morecambe players are running around like they've just won the FA Cup.

Gary Lineker is having a good giggle on Match of the Day, Alan Hansen mutters something about 'terrible defending.' That glittering career is disappearing before your very eyes.

Two days later, your manager is out of work. That move to Northampton? Looks a bit less certain now doesn't it. People avoid you in the street. The only time anyone ever notices you is when they buy a 'football horrors' type video for Christmas.

Keep your chin up Wayne. Just because you've scored a spectacular own goal doesn't mean you are a bad player. Pretty soon everyone will have forgotten about it - maybe.

Or maybe, like the former Lancaster City striker Peter Devine, it will dominate an otherwise perfectly respectable journey around the world of football.

Devine, for the uninitiated, is a mainstay on the comic football moments circuit. He was about to strike the penalty which would have put City on level terms in the 1991 Northern Premier League first division cup final. He missed. Badly. In fact, as he stumbled toward the ball, he didn't so much kick it as let it hit him. The ball barely moved.

Devine is generally acknowledged to have been fine player at Giant Axe. But still, it's that penalty which the supporters talk about, and even devote a section of their very fine website to.

Football is a perfectly simple game. It must be, even David Beckham understands it. But that doesn't mean it all goes wrong.

And for Wayne Hatswell, one moment of madness will live with him for the rest of his natural life.