Callum McKenzie reflects on Town’s 3-2 victory over Accrington Stanley
Shrewsbury U18’s picked up their third win in a row in all competitions on Saturday after defeating Accrington Stanley by three goals to two.
Two first half goals by James Rowland and Luke Ward and a second half goal courtesy of Jamaine Turner was enough to give Town all three points and Callum McKenzie is ‘pleased to get another win.’
He said: “It was a different game to Tuesday. We had more control on the ball which is what we expected.
“We prepared really well for the game. Tactically we set up to try and break their block which I thought we did really well in the first five to ten minutes and then I thought we got a little bit sloppy in the middle block of the first half.
“We put ourselves under a bit of pressure on the counter attacks that they were putting in and maybe got lucky once or twice where we could’ve conceded a goal but I thought we got another foothold in the game, certainly after the first goal and then played some good stuff again.
“We scored an excellent third goal but didn’t really put enough of those types of moves together today but maybe that’s to be expected after Tuesday. The exertion they put into the game on Tuesday was superb.
“It was pleasing to get another win.”
Their victory over Stanley was their second Youth Alliance League win in a row, after beating Rochdale on Tuesday and McKenzie has spoken about what he thinks contributed to these wins.
“It’s difficult to put your finger on because we’ve played far better this year and lost and drawn games.
“I think it’s just become a little bit of a habit as we’ve drawn far too many games this season. I think the group at the moment seem to be in a good place; there is a lot of togetherness and the mentality is improving week upon week.
“Players who maybe were in and out of form and who were injured, and not quite 100% seem to be finding form at the right time of the season you should say.
“So I think there is a contribution of a few things. I think it’s just that we’re rolling our sleeves up and managing games a little bit better.
After Town scored the third goal, a celebration routine erupted between Jamaine Turner, who scored the goal and Lifumpa Mwandwe who assisted the goal. But Callum McKenzie admits that he didn’t see the routine which put smiles on the faces of all the Shrewsbury spectators in the stand.
“I didn’t see it to be honest with you”, he laughed.
“If it was Lifumpa and Jamaine involved, I can imagine it was a bit sloppy but I’m not sure.
“I’ll have to watch it back but I did hear about it. I’ll maybe have to have a word with them about that.”