Town rest players in Wrexham draw
Town: Atkinson, Kerins, Sears (Bonner 62), Esien; Gilpin, Lovett, Rammell (McAtee 68), Jones (Roberts 68); Higgs (Ofori 62); Hassall, MwandweUnused sub: Taylor
Wrexham: Rigby, Griffiths (Spelman 66), Barrett, Stephans, Tharm, Burrows, McHarry (Sergent 32), Thorn, Harry, Creamer, Freeman
Unused subs: Jones, Swindel
Team News:
Ian Dawes made several changes from the Youth Alliance Cup defeat to Burton Albion. Out went Joel Bonner, Callum Roberts, Ryan Barnett, John McAtee and Tyrone Ofori, and in came Jake Kerins, Cameron Esien, Harri Lovett, Charley Higgs and Fumpa Mwandwe.
Shrewsbury Town U18s were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal as they hit the woodwork three times on their way to a 2-2 draw away at 10-man Wrexham.
After a goalless first half, Town took the initative after the break as Ryan Sears gave his side the lead, before Carl Spelman drew the home side level.
Wrexham were reduced to 10 men with just over 10 minutes remaining and Town had looked to take advantage when Tyrone Ofori slammed home just moments later.
But they couldn’t hold their lead as the right-back Spelman completed his brace with a header at the back post.
The theme of the game was set early on with both sides lining up with a three-man backline, and both Town and their opponents made efforts to try to expose the space in behind the opposing wing backs.
A couple of deliveries from Jacob Rammell provided opportunities to create a chance but the came to nothing, whilst at the other end Jack Atkinson comfortably dealt with a couple of weak efforts.
The first clear cut chance came after half an hour with Rammell’s corner delivery reaching Sears but despite being free, the centre half couldn’t direct his header on target.
Town were starting to assert themselves and they came agonizingly close just three minutes later as Charley Higgs’ thunderous effort bounced off the crossbar.
Wrexham had their best chance just before the break, with Niall Freeman’s curling effort forcing an exceptional save by Atkinson to keep Town level going into the break.
Half Time: Wrexham 0-0 Shrewsbury Town
Despite the scare just before half time, Town came out well on top in the second half, and Wrexham needed a huge slice of luck to stay on terms.
Aaron Gilpin found a run into the channel by Higgs’ who put a low cross into the area, and Wrexham defender Doug Tharm smashed the ball off his own crossbar whilst attempting to clear.
Town were now well in charge, defending high up the pitch and the back three dealing with any balls that came their way.
They got their rewards just after the hour mark, with Rammell’s wide delivery causing problems and the ball fell for Sears to finish low past the keeper and put his side in front.
Following the goal Sears was substituted along with Higgs, and Joel Bonner and Tyrone Ofori replaced them.
Soon after, Wrexham were level totally against the run of play, with a corner finding the head of the substitute Spelman who headed home his first of the afternoon.
Five minutes later the home side were reduced to 10, with Ben Barrett being given his marching orders after cynically hauling down Ofori just inside his own half.
Town looked like they had made the man advantage count for three points as they took the lead just two minutes after the red card.
George Hassall produced a perfect cut back for the sub Ofori, and the striker had the time to take a touch and fire high into the net beyond the keeper.
Ofori made a real difference after coming on and he was so unfortunate not to put his side out of sight as he was played through after some beautiful one touch football, but for the third time, Town saw an effort come back off the bar.
And Town were made to pay just three minutes later as they again failed to deal with Spelman at the back post with the wing back sealing his brace to secure a point for Wrexham.
They could have had all three in added time but Atkinson made his second fantastic save of the afternoon to make sure Town returned home with a point.
Full Time: Wrexham 2-2 Shrewsbury Town