Evans' Side Edge Closer To Promotion
SUBS: Hicks, S. Brown.
: Cleveley, Francis, Broome, Winton, Sewell, Owen (c), Bradshaw, Cox, J.Brown, Turner, Prior. SHREWSBURY TOWN LINE-UP
Town Ladies face Lichfield City next Sunday (17 May, 2pm Kick Off).
"It was a great response after a disappointing evening on Wednesday in the cup final.
"I think we all agreed that Wednesday was our best performance of the season and we just made it clear to the players that if we carried on with that kind of effort and performance then our overall goal for the season would be achieved.
"I believe we are a team with lots of goals in us and we once again showed this.
"After a first half of never looking 100 per cent comfortable we decided to switch it to 4-4-2 and took complete control of the game and never looked at risk of conceding.
"Great to see yet again another team performance. A massive well done to Nat Turner for breaking the 30-goal mark this season.
"It was also pleasing to see goals coming from all over the pitch. It was great performance by all and one I particularly enjoyed witnessing." Town assistant manager Tom Leather was delighted with the response of the team and said afterwards:
With two games left to play, Town are well on course to seal promotion.
The ref blew the full-time whistle and it was job done by Town, with some very good perfromances by all.
A goal Bradshaw really deserved for her excellent work rate.
After some brilliant work from Daisy, she slotted home at the near post with a left-footed drive.
Town completed their afternoon's work with Daisy Bradshaw completing the scoring by making it 8-1.
Town were well in control of proceedings and more was to follow with Nat Turner completing her hat-trick and taking her tally to a fantastic 31, an excellent return for Turner.
Then the sixth goal followed quickly after with a carbon copy of the fourth goal, after another attacking run by Prior who showed immense composure by going around the keeper confidently and slotting home.
The goal killed off any early threat posed by Leek. As the game wore on Town continued to lay siege on the Leek goal, and the fifth goal for Town came from a well-taken finish into the top of the net from Penny Owen for her second of the game.
Town quickly took control of proceedings and goal four followed with Prior taking it around the 'keeper and slotting into an empty net.
In the second half Town switched to a 4-4-2 formation with Jess Hicks coming on for Jess Brown.
After good build-up play, Prior followed the ball and headed it to an unmarked Turner who slotted, home making it 3-1 to Town.
The miss galvanised the away side back into life. Town made life more comfortable for themselves just before half time with Nat Turner getting her 30th goal of the season after great work from strike partner Prior.
With the chance to equalise, the penalty was blazed over the bar, a let off for Town.
The goal gave the home side some confidence and after a ball into the box the referee awarded a penalty to Leek after Winton tugged the players shirt.
Leek then gave themselves a lifeline with a well taken goal, firing past Beth Cleveley to make it 1-2.
Leek didnt have time to settle with Town quickly doubling their lead shortly after, top scorer Nat Turner firing home to make it 2-0, taking her tally to 29 for the season.
Town's dominance paid off with Captain Penny Owen leading by example, cooly slotting the ball past the keeper to give the promotion chasers the lead.
They broke a few times with their fast-paced forwards but nothing came from it with the Town rearguard standing firm.
Leek were sitting deep and trying to hit Town on the counter attack.
Town, starting with a 3-5-2 formation, were trying to dominate the game in midfield and were doing so.
The game started brightly for Town with plenty of attacking play, but not many clear cut chances were falling for the away side.
Left back Caitlin Arrowsmith missed the game through a hamstring problem, but Town welcomed back Tania Prior after her head injury sustained last week at Stone.
With three games in seven days, there were a few tired bodies that travelled to Leek.
Shrewsbury Town Ladies returned to league action after their heroic display in the league cup final on Wednesday, looking to get the three points that would edge them closer to promotion.