Shrewsbury Town

Lewis Poole looks back on the 2017/18 Sky Bet League One season

Town went into the next month of the season high on confidence. Paul Hurst’s men were unbeaten in the Sky Bet League One after four games. Town’s schedule was packed in September, filled with seven games, including three trips away from home.

The first trip was down south in Kent, to face Gillingham. Two first half goals were enough to get past The Gills and earn another massive three points for Shrewsbury. A late goal from Josh Parker rocked the ship but Town saw the game through and Paul Hurst’s men were sat in an unexpected second place, below Peterborough. United on the league table.

Many football fans were waiting for Town’s form to dip but this wouldn’t be the case against promotion favourites Wigan Athletic. Top goal scorer Stefan Payne once again struck home a winner for Shrewsbury at The Montgomery Waters Meadow. His goal that came in the first half gave his side the shock three points against a strong Wigan side and put Town top of the pile in first place.

With confidence sky high, Town were beginning to prepare for the visit of Southend United. The game would be Town’s third game in ten days but there would be no let up in intensity. Hurst’s men got another three points through Jon Nolan’s 23rd minute goal, which kept Town in pole position in the league.

The good form didn’t stop there. Another three points were captured for the Salopian’s away from home. Nolan’s brilliance once again shone through as he added to Stefan Payne’s earlier goal to cancel out Craig Davies 33rd minute equaliser at Boundary Park against Oldham Athletic. Shrewsbury remained top of the pile with 22 points.

Despite the team already playing four games in the month of September, three games remained. The next clash was against the promotion favourites Blackburn Rovers. Town were unable to get the maximum points but defied the odds once again and got a draw from a strong Rovers side. The unlikely scorer was defender Aristote Nsiala who scored in the 57th minute.

Despite not getting the win last time out, Town went into the next game looking to put another three points on the table and solidify the first place position. The game at the Keepmoat Stadium was looking likely to end in a 1-1 draw until new signing Arthur Gnahoua notched home a 94th minute winner and snatched all three points away from Doncaster Rovers.

The last game of September soon arrived and Town could have been forgiven for having a rest bite after a long month of football but this wasn’t to be the case. Town’s strong will earned another three points back at The Montgomery Waters Meadow against promotion hopefuls Scunthorpe United. Both strikers were on goal scoring form that day as Carlton Morris and Stefan Payne both tucked home valuable goals.