Town fall to a 2-1 defeat away at Burton Albion.
Burton: Bradley Collins, John Brayford, Jamie Allen, Kyle McFadzean (Jake Buxton, 56), Scott Fraser, Jake Hesketh (Marcus Harness, 72), Lucas Akins, Will Miller (Ben Turner, 62), Reece Hutchinson, Stephen Quinn, Liam Boyce.
Subs: Stephen Bywater, Jake Buxton, Ben Turner, Joe Sbarra, Damien McCroy, Marcus Harness, Devante Cole.
Town: Steve Arnold, Mat Sadler, Omar Beckles, Greg Docherty (Alex Gilliead, 78), Fejiri Okenabirhie, James Bolton, Aaron Amadi-Holloway, Luke Waterfall, Josh Laurent (Shaun Whalley, 78), Ollie Norburn, Anthony Grant.
Subs: Joel Coleman, Josh Emmanuel, Shaun Whalley, Lenell John-Lewis, Alex Gilliead, Charlie Colkett, Ryan Sears.
Referee: Ben Toner
Assistants: Lisa Rashid and Peter Gooch
Fourth official: David Benton
Attendance: 3062
Shrewsbury Town were unable to get a win in the first league game of Sam Ricketts’ tenure.
Fejir Okenabirhie pulled a goal back for Town, but Liam Boyce and Scott Fraser were the two on hand to give the home side the goals that won the game.
Team News: Sam Ricketts went with a familiar starting line up for the game against the Brewers. Ricketts named the same team that Danny Coyne had named in the previous league fixture.
First Half:
A mistake early on in the game saw the home side take the lead in the third minute. Steve Arnold attempted a long ball forward, but unfortunately for the Town keeper Liam Boyce blocked the ball and saw it bounce over the line and into the net.
After the home side took the lead, they also took control of the game. The Brewers were pushing forward and pilling the pressure on Town, which created an uncomfortable first 20 minutes for Ricketts’ men.
Town were pushing back at the home side but the Brewers were proving hard to break down. Town had a half-chance in the 29th minute with a headed effort from James Bolton, but the defender couldn’t generate enough power on the ball to trouble Bradley Collins.
Fejiri Okenabirhie was the next player to have a slight chance at goal for Town. The forward received a neat through ball, but the angle was too tight for his strike to trouble the keeper.
The balance of the game was starting to swing in Town’s favour as the half was coming to an end. Town were pushing forward well and were looking the more threatening side with 10 minutes to go.
The home side went into the break with the one goal advantage. Liam Boyce latched onto Steve Arnold’s clearance and managed to bundle the ball into the net.
Second Half:
Anthony Grant was given a yellow card by referee Ben Toner for dissent shortly after the half had resumed.
The first 15 minutes of the half turned out to be quite even, with both teams looking to attack the opposition at any given chance. Greg Docherty looked busy in the midfield and was openings for his teammates.
Lucas Akins was also shown a yellow card for pulling back Okenabirhie as he looked to drive forward.
Town looked to be in on goal just before the 70-minute mark. Amadi-Holloway did well to play through Okenabirhie with a header, but the assistant referee flagged for offside.
Frustrations were growing for Burton and Jake Buxton was given a yellow card for pulling back Okenabirhie.
The home side managed to double their lead in the 81st minute through Scott Fraser. A poor clearance fell to the midfielder - he dinked to the side and lashed a wonderful effort across goal, which went in via the post.
Okenabirhie pulled a goal back for Town in injury time. Lenell John-Lewis neatly knocked the ball forward for the striker to hit and the ball flew into the corner of the goal - but it wouldn't be enough to get Town back into the game.
The game came to an end with the home side the victors. Liam Boyce and Scott Fraser were the two with the goals.