Shrewsbury 2 Carlisle 3
Callum McKenzie made four changes to the team that narrowly beat Bury last Saturday. Jamie Valler, Elliot Tibbs and Lifumpa Mwandwe all had a place in the starting line-up, replacing Jamaine Turner, Jack Leask and Dan Walker respectively. Another notable change for Salop is that Sam Agius started in goal for the suspended Jack Atkinson, who was shown a red card last week. The points were shared the last time these two sides met which was all the way back on the first day of the season in August after a 2-2 draw.
Carlisle had the opening chance of the game when a neat passage of play between Liam Brockbank and Kyle Soper found the feet of Belchior Papa, but Shrewsbury’s defence were able to clear. However, it was only able to fall to Josh Galloway with his initial shot being blocked by Liam Thomas, and Kian Taylor was then able to clear the ball out of his own half. The first opportunity for Town came two minutes later when captain James Rowland was able to set up a shot on goal, but his effort was blocked on the way through. The visitors urged midfielder Taylor Charters to shoot, but his shot was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Sam Agius.
Luke Ward looked to get Town back on the front foot and was able to find Lifumpa Mwandwe with a long-range pass from his own half, but Charlie Barnes was able to retake possession after finding himself in the right place at the right time. Mwandwe won the first free kick for Shrewsbury shortly afterwards which James Rowland stood over to take but Kian Taylor could only head wide of the post. The chances kept coming for the home team when Rowland created an individual solo run down the centre of the pitch but his final pass to Mwandwe was just behind him.
Elliot Tibbs was also the creator of a chance after he managed to win the ball back in his own half and went on to make ground towards Regan Ward’s goal, but his final effort was blocked. The ball fell to Kian Taylor but his attempt couldn’t quite find the intended target. The deadlock was broken a short time later and it went in Carlisle’s favour as Kyle Soper launched the ball past Sam Agius and into the back of the net. Shrewsbury then went on a desperate search for the equaliser, but not before they were required to defend a free-kick after Kian Taylor fouled Jamie Armstrong. Josh Galloway stood up to take the set piece but the wall did its job and the chance to double their lead was wasted.
Town found the all-important equaliser ten minutes later when Archie Elmore met the end of a great pass by Jamie Valler, and slotted the ball past Regan Ward. But just one minute before the end of the first half, Cieran Casson connected with the ball well and fired the visitors back in front.
The start of the second half saw chances for both teams. Sam Agius was forced into making a save just six minutes after the game restarted after a shot by Taylor Charters. Lifumpa Mwandwe went on the charge towards Carlisle’s goal with Archie Elmore in space to his left, but he decided to go it alone and was then intercepted. Mwandwe was involved in another move for Town a short time after when he attempted to play in substitute Nigel Aris but the pass was blocked by Carlisle. Kian Taylor lost possession in his own half, with Taylor Charters there to pick up the ball but his shot caused no concern for Sam Agius.
A foul on Archie Elmore by Jay Kelly was enough for referee Zeyad Ahmed to award Town with a free kick which captain James Rowland took. His cross managed to find Luke Ward who knocked the ball onto Kian Taylor who found the back of the net to level the score line once again. Archie Elmore had the chance to take Shrewsbury into the lead for the first time of the afternoon, but it was saved by the visiting goalkeeper. After finding the end of his captain’s pass, Nigel Aris was brought down in the penalty area but his soft appeals were denied by the officials.
Much to Salop’s dismay, Taylor Charters sent Carlisle into the lead for the third time in the game just seven minutes before the game concluded. A late pass across the box by Jamaine Turner reached no-one with the referee then blowing for full-time.
Town’s defeat against Carlisle is their first in four league games, but they will be looking to return to winning ways next Saturday when they play away at Morecambe.
Team: Sam Agius, Zac Hartley (Jamaine Turner 87), Elliot Tibbs, Jamie Valler (Ethan O’Toole 72), Tom Davies, Luke Ward, Liam Thomas (Nigel Aris 46), Kian Taylor, Archie Elmore, James Rowland (c), Lifumpa Mwandwe.
Unused sub: Ryan Grosvenor
Goals: Archie Elmore (40), Kian Taylor (65).