Town unlucky to draw in EFL Youth Alliance Cup
Town: Cameron Gregory, Jake Kerins, Callum Roberts, George Hughes, Joel Bonner, Jacob Rammell (Fumpa Mwandawe 72), Ryan Barnett, Chris Gallagher, Tyrone Ofori (Charley Higgs 67), John McAtee, Matt Jones (Aaron Gilpin 85)Unused Subs: Cameron Esien, Jack Atkinson,
Mansfield: Sam Wilson, Aiden Walker (Ashante Price 45), Kane Smith, Kane Baldwin, Kieron Harrison, Nile Blake, Cameron Healy (Keaton Ward 80), Zane Hakeen (Harry Bircumshaw 75), Syrafel Behailu (Devonte Reittieb 75), Tom Marriott
Unused Subs: Xavier Sundby,
Team News:
Ian Dawes makes one change from the side which drew 3-all with Burnley last week as Matt Jones replaces Aaron Gilpin. Jones moves over to the left wing back position with Ryan Barnett swapping to right wing back.
First Half:
Town started brightly and could have taken the lead within the first 30 second when some good work between Jones and Chris Gallagher down the Town left fed John McAtee but his shot was wild from the edge of the box.
A minute later and McAtee played in Ryan Barnett down the right channel, but his shot was well saved by Wilson in the Mansfield goal.
Town opened the scoring on the 20 minute mark when Ryan Barnett found himself in space down the right and delivered a pinpoint delivery onto the head of an unmarked Tyrone Ofori.
Mansfield almost hit back straight away when Syrafel Behailu's header went just wide from a free kick.
But, it was Town who doubled their advantage on 23 minutes when a Chris Gallagher free kick caused chaos in the Mansfield box and Joel Bonner rose highest to head the ball down for Matt Jones who struck it sweetly from 15 yards.
Mansfield came close to getting one back minutes later when Behailu got away from his marker and his header at the front post looked to be heading in until Jake Kerins got a block in to deflect it wide.
Shrewsbury almost made it three before half time when John McAtee ran through the Mansfield defence, but his shot was tame when one-on-one.
Mansfield pulled one back just before half time from the penalty spot. Callum Roberts tripped Kieron Harrison in the box and Tom Marriott stepped up to send Cameron Gregory the wrong way.
Half Time: 2-1
Second Half:
A mad opening to the second half saw Town almost increase their lead as first Ofori and then Gallagher failed to test the ‘keeper with good chances.
Town then had the ball in the back of the net, but McAtee’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Mansfield then threatened when substitute Ashante Price’s shot tested Cameron Gregory in the Town goal, but the big ‘keeper got down well to make the save.
But, it was Price who would find the equaliser when he scored with a stunning effort from 25 yards which looped over the head of Gregory and into the back of the net.
Town made two substitutions as they looked to find a winner, with Charley Higgs replacing Tyrone Ofori and under 16 Fumpa Mwandawe replacing Jacob Rammell.
But, it was Callum Roberts who came closest to breaking the deadlock when his free kick thundered off the bar.
Mwandawe then could have made a name for himself when he ran 40 yards with the ball, but he pulled his shot wide.
In an end to end game Mansfield had their chances with Tom Marriott coming closest with two efforts which went over the bar.
Town then had appeals for a penalty waved away when John McAtee fell in the box after a good run, but the referee felt the defender had won the ball.
Ashante Price continued to cause problems for the Town defence and he had his sides’ best chance of the final 10 minutes when his turn and shot was saved by Gregory.
McAtee was then booked late on for a dive as Town threw everything they could at Mansfield, but the away side hung on for the draw.
Full Time: 2-2