Under-18s Held To Draw In Penultimate Friendly
ASSISTANTS: Harry Warren & Jordan Davies
REFEREE: Rob Cuff
SUBS: Rufus, Chea, N’Guessan, Robinson.
: Sims (GK), Badu, Richards, Wilson, Williams, Roscoe, Gregory, Njie, Pond, Doyle, Flynn. BLACKPOOL LINE-UP
Subs: Ryan Sears, Matthew Jones, John McAtee, Ethan Jones.
: Harry Lewis (GK) (c); Harri Lovett, Nathan Millis, Callum Roberts, Joel Bonner, Jacob Rammell, Joe Kenton, Christopher Gallagher, George Hassall, Ryan Barnett, Tom King. SHREWSBURY TOWN LINE-UP
FULL-TIME: Shrewsbury Town 1-1 Blackpool
Town will feel unlucky not to have won the game, having had the better chances in the game, but they can be pleased with their efforts and the fact that they have had another good pre-season test ahead of the league kick off.
As the game was entering the final couple of minutes, Shrewsbury came close to taking the lead when the ball was played forward to John McAtee who rounded the goalkeeper on the edge of the six-yard box but was unable to pull the ball back to a team mate due to the attacker losing his footing.
Both teams made substitutions in order to try and give their side the extra edge with Joel Bonner being replaced by Ryan Sears and Ryan Barnett coming back on to replace goal-scorer King for the home side.
The goal appeared to give the Town players more confidence but Blackpool defended well with the game becoming quite even with very few clear cut chances for either team as the clock continued to run down.
The penalty was duly despatched by midfielder King as he slotted the ball into the bottom left corner with aplomb.
It was in the 66th minute that the home side got their chance to equalise from the penalty spot when striker Jones was hauled back in the box by Blackpool defender Denzel Williams.
Shrewsbury started to play in a more attacking style following the changes and they were starting to create more chances and put pressure on Blackpool who responded by making two attacking changes of their own.
The increased pressure from Blackpool lead to Dawes making two changes with Matty Jones and John McAtee coming on for Ryan Barnett and Jacob Rammell.
The visitors nearly doubled the lead not long after the restart when a lashed shot was met cleverly by Harry Lewis who put out a strong arm to deflect the ball out for a corner.
However, the Tangerines took the lead on 48 minutes when Town lost possession and Alieu Njie fired the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Blackpool started the second half in a very attacking manor, firing a dangerous shot at young Harry Lewis within the first minute but the Town goalkeeper saved expertly.
However, Town’s head of academy coaching Ian Dawes decided against making any changes at the break.
Blackpool made two substitutions at the start of the second half with the impressive number two, Ben Badu, and number 11, Alwyn Flynn, making way for Christian N’Guessan and Liam Robinson.
HALF-TIME: Shrewsbury Town 0-0 Blackpool
The best chance for the Shrews came when Ryan Barnett fired a shot at the Blackpool keeper who parried the ball into the path of Ethan Jones at the back post, but the substitute was unable to get enough power on the shot allowing the Blackpool defender to make a last ditch clearance and deny Jones.
Town made a change in the 32nd minute when striker George Hassall, returning to full fitness following a minor injury, made way for Ethan Jones.
Shrewsbury seemed to grow into the game as the half went on and they were starting to look more confident, with both Jacob Rammell and Nathan Millis particularly impressing.
Striker George Hassall had Town’s first real chance of the game when he struck a low, driven shot following an excellent through ball by right back Harri Lovett, but the Blackpool stopper was equal to the effort.
The home side started to try and take control of the game by keeping possession and the midfield were creating some good moves to try and get the ball up to the attackers.
At the start of the game, both sides were battling to try and get a foothold in the game but it was the Seasiders who had the better chances with the pick of them coming from their number 10, James Doyle, who struck a powerful shot against the post to give the hosts a scare within the first ten minutes.
FIRST HALF
The Seasiders took a second-half lead at Sundorne Castle Training Ground through Alieu Njie, but Town earned a share of the spoils as Tom King converted a penalty after Ethan Jones was pulled back inside the box.
Shrewsbury Town’s youth team came from behind to draw with Blackpool in their penultimate friendly of pre-season.