Goals from Gornell and Morgan but Wolves hit back in the second half
Town: Chris Weale, Jermaine Grandison, Rob Purdie, Luke Summerfield, Darren Jones, Michel Hector, Aron Wilding, Matt Richards, Terry Grrnell, Marvin Morgan, Paul Parry
SUBS: Connor Goldson, Reuban Hazell, Jon Taylor, Mark Wright, Ryan Doble, Asa Hall, Tom Bradshaw, Ryan Woods, Eliot Turner, Jon Anyon
Wolves: Dorius De Vires, Kevin Foley, Matt Doherty, Eggert Jonsson, Danny Batth, Christope Berra, Dave Edwards, Nenad Milijas, Bjorn Sigurdarson, Frank Nouble, Stephan Hunt
SUBS: Aaron McCarey, Ronald Zubar, Roger Johnson, Richard Stearman, Stephan Ward, David Davis, Karl Henry, Tongo Doumbia, Anthoney Forde, Kevin Doyle, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Adam Hammill
Shrewsbury got the game underway, playing in their brand new white away kit and attacking the away supporters in the North stand.
The visitors enjoyed much of the ball early on, but failed to cause any trouble for the Shrewsbury defence. Nenad Milijas pulled the strings for Wolves in the midfield area, looking composed linking up the play nicely. the forward line of Sigurdarson and Nouble however failed to make use of the possession.
Town had the best early chance though, on 7 minutes Luke Summerfield powered a shot from 22yards out that stung the palms of De Vries in the Wolves goal. The young midfielder was allowed time in Wolves’ final third and nearly punished them for backing off. Summerfield continue to cause a lot of trouble for Wolves, as they struggled to contain his intelligent runs on and off the ball.
The Shrews broke the dead lock to take a much deserved lead after 18 minutes. Jermaine Grandison powered down the wing and delivered a perfect cross at the feet of Terry Gornell on the edge of the six yard box. De Vries saved well from Gornell’s initial shot, but could not keep hold of the ball, leaving the Shrewsbury man to scramble it into the back of the net.
Grandison was imperious form in this period, dominating the right flank and getting forward at every opportunity, as he looked to expose more problems in the visitors defence. On 33 minutes Salop could have doubled their advantage, Grandison and Gornell again combined. Luckly for Wolves Gornell could not direct his header on target. The lead was doubled though just before half time, Marvin Morgan was given too much time on the ball and took full advantage. Morgan’s shot from just inside the 18 yard box, deflected off Wolves defender Danny Batth and past the helpless De Vries.
2-0 Town great first 45.
Second Half
Wolves got the second half under-way, after making 11 changes during the interval. Shrewsbury came out with an unchanged team. The visitors again started brightly and this time around they were able to take advantage of their possession. 5 minutes after the re-start Wolves pulled a goal back through Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. The Wolves forward let a shot fly from 25 yards, that took a deflection off the underside of Rob Purdie’s boot and into the net.
Graham Turner introduced Mark Wright and Asa Hall into the action just before the hour, Gornell and Richards made way for the substitutes. Wolves continued to pressurise, boxing Shrewsbury into their own half. However, to the home team’s credit they absorbed the danger and retained their shape while looking for an outlet, further up the field. Being patient nearly paid off and eventually Town managed to fashion a chance of their own from a corner. Michel Hector, up from defence, saw his header cleared off the line by Richard Stearman.
The introduction of a whole new team at half time rejuvenated Wolves as they took complete control of the game. Tongo Doumbia intercepted an uncharacteristic stray pass around the Shrewsbury penalty area and took full advantage of the mistake, firing the ball into the top corner. Wolves were back on level terms and proceeded to chase a winner, Kevin Doyle came close to getting one soon after. The Irish international flung himself at a cross from the right and his diving header narrowly missed the target.
Shrewsbury put in a competitive performance for much of the game; however the Wolves team in the second half was just too strong. Graham Turner will be pleased that his side challenged the Championship club and managed to dominate for long periods of the game. Wolves can count themselves lucky to get a draw out of the game as they really didn’t show up at all in the first half.
A fair result in the end as it finished all square.