Lewis Poole reflects on the 2017/18 Sky Bet League One season
The final big month for Town had soon came around, April would be a vital month for the club as it would decide whether Town would gain an automatic Play-Off spot or automatic promotion.
Hurst’s men got off on the right path with the visit of Oxford United. The game was a tight affair with both teams battling hard for the three points. Town edged it on the score line three goals to two. Shaun Whalley notched two and Jon Nolan popped up with another goal from midfield. This result put town back into an automatic promotion spot to the delight of the fans.
Town had an opportunity to shake of the Wembley blues shortly after the defeat with a trip to Bradford City’s Valley Parade. The team ensured the club didn’t face another loss and took home a point. However the two favourites, Wigan and Blackburn showed no sign of dropping points and the result put Town back into a Play-Off spot.
The next game was back at The Montgomery Waters Meadow. The Shrews welcomed the visit of Charlton Athletic. This game was key in deciding whether Town would be challenging the top two or facing a run in the Play-Off’s. Unfortunately Town fell under the pressure and Charlton left Shropshire with the points. Jason Pearce and Josh Magennis both fired home goals to inflict a 2-0 defeat on Hurst’s men.
Due to the defeat against Charlton, it was all but confirmed that Town would be battling away in the Play-Offs. It seemed Hurst used the remaining games before the competition to try out new styles and tactics to take into the Play-Offs. The first game of this strange period was Bury at home. Young Abo Eisa got a goal for Town, which earned a point for The Shrews. The winger gave a good account of him self and would have given Hurst something to think about over the next games.
The next game was against Peterborough United as The Posh travelled to Shropshire with hopes of gaining a Play-Off spot. Town were in great form that day and surpassed the game with relative ease. The final score at the whistle was 3-1 to Town. Omar Beckles, Stefan Payne and Lenell John-Lewis all got on the score sheet as Town were ramping up momentum going into the final games.
The penultimate game of the month was another game against Bury. This time it was a trip to Gigg Lane. Town were unable to end the month on the strongest foot but didn’t leave empty handed. Another experimental player got the goal in this game for Town; it was Sam Jones who hadn’t featured much over the season. The attacker got the goal that earned his side a 1-1- draw.