Shrewsbury Town

Town: Wearing, Carpenter, Phillips (Smith 45), Holmes, Richards (Westray 76), Ryan, Jones (Evans 59), Gwilliams, Musslewhite, Easthope, Roberts. 

Subs not used: Burton, Stephenson.

Goals: Ryan 2, Gwilliams (pen) 1.

Our lively front three gave us the early threat and set the tempo of our play.  Jack Gwilliams grabbed the games first real chance with a well timed run to see him 1v1 with the keeper who saved well at Gwilliams feet. Then on the 17th minute Gwilliams again found himself in the area this time 1v1 with the defender who brought him down for a penalty which he placed into the corner of the net to give us an early lead. Numerous chances followed throughout the first half with Roberts missing two glorious ones which should have left us in a more comfortable position at half time.

Second half was much more untidy from our point of view as our awareness of space and attacking situations along with our care when passing became sloppy. Connor Wearing, Warren Holmes and Charlie Musslewhite kept our units organised and disciplined when we never had the ball, and this Fleetwood to very view chances.

We need that all important 2nd goal to settle us down and fortunately it came late on when we broke wide with Roberts who in turn found Evans who then deliver a terrific cross for Scott Ryan to head home from 8 yards out on the 87th minute.  This was followed closely on 90 minutes when Ryan again found himself 1v1 with the centre half who he easily went past to strike an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner to seal victory. 

Overall a good away win with a clean sheet after nearly three weeks without a game so we have to be pleased, but again the boys must focus mainly on the positives of their own game and learn again from where they must improve. 

Reduce the same mistakes you keep making, don’t complicate the game, think, see and play.

Pete Wilding