It was honours even for Shrewsbury against Fleetwood as both teams failed to score.
Manager Eric Ramsey made two changes to the side that were defeated by three goals to two against Preston North End last Wednesday. Jack Atkinson returned from injury and started in goal for the first time in three games; replacing Cameron Gregory who was called up for the first team for their match against Portsmouth. The other change saw Lewis Redding make way for Jack Leask.
Despite the wet and windy weather conditions, both teams got off to a quick start. An early interception by Jay Matete denied Shrewsbury from going on the attack in the opening minutes, but his interruption didn’t help Fleetwood in their hopes of finding the first goal of the game. It was Shrewsbury who found themselves in front of goal in the moments that followed, but Lifumpa Mwandwe was unable to find anyone with his header, and Fleetwood soon replied by earning the first corner of the game. Atkinson was called into action from the resulting corner and made his first save of the day when Matete found James Hill who headed straight at the Shrewsbury goalkeeper.
The away team had a great opportunity to beat Fleetwood’s goalkeeper Alex Clayton when Jamaine Turner found himself through on goal, but his attempt was well saved and the rebound fell to Mwandwe who shot wide. Things started to pick up again ten minutes later, when Shrewsbury had another chance to open the scoring when Zac Hartley’s cross into the box was unable to find a teammate and Clayton easily gathered. Roles were soon reversed though when Hill found Mateste’s cross but saw his header go just over, but a magnificent save from Atkinson denied Makepeace’s effort on goal by tapping the ball onto the post to deny the hosts. That was the closest chance by either team in the first half, with more chances following in the remaining minutes of the half but none of them proved pivotal.
The second half started with Fleetwood earning themselves a corner, but Atkinson was alert and prevented Shayden Morris’ effort. They were unlucky again when Cian Hayes dribbled past two Shrewsbury defenders and struck the ball wide across the goal, and the ball went wide again two minutes later when Mateste attempted to score from a distance.
All the chances seemed to fall to Fleetwood but Shrewsbury’s defensive line remained strong throughout. Matete managed to find Makepeace who looked to line up a strike, but Dan Walker recovered well and denied the home team yet again. The Blues soon found themselves back on the attack when Archie Elmore created a brilliant solo run and managed to win a corner in the 89th minute of the game, but Clayton punched away to ensure they remain unbeaten.
It was a tale of many chances, but saves from the goalkeeper, Atkinson and Clayton proved important in the end and ensured that both teams were able to pick up a point.
Team:
Atkinson, Hartley, Walker, Rowland (c), Ward, T.Davies, Turner (Elmore 58), Taylor, Grosvenor, Leask (Redding 58), Mwandwe.
Unused Subs:
Aguis, R.Davies, Corfield.