Town off to a winning start thanks to a battling display and a wonder strike from Ryan Giles
Shrewsbury Town vs Portsmouth
Saturday 3rd August 2019 – 15:00
Town 1 – 0 Pompy
Ryan Giles hit home a screamer for Town which secured all three points which made it a great win for the opening game of the season.
A quick-thinking free-kick from Shaun Whalley that set Giles to smash home a 30-yard screamer into Craig MacGillivray’s net. Portsmouth’s Ross McCrorie bought down Whalley just outside the centre circle which led to Giles’ goal.
Ross McCrorie received his second yellow card of the game after a late challenge on Donald Love. Town looked to expose and dominate the game for the last 10 minutes of play.
A goalless first half at Montgomery Waters Meadow, although the second half was full of excitement. Both teams started their 2019/20 season campaign strong and yet to concede within the first 45 minutes of play, however with 25 minutes to go for the final whistle, Giles’ screamer secured all three points for Town.
With nine new signings starting the opening game of the season, Town looked strong. After being on the end of six corners in the first half, the backline did not want to be the first team to concede this game.
The second half bought us, yellow cards, a red card, end to end play and a world-class goal from left wing-back Giles.
Max O’Leary was used many times within the first half after Town being slightly dominated by the press and counter attacks from Portsmouth.
Giles gave Town a very good opportunity of scoring in the first 45, as he whipped a left-footed cross over to MacGillivray’s back post where Aaron Pierre was there just to head the ball wide of the net.
Steve Morison gave Town more hope in the first 45 minutes after he sweetly smashed a half-volley inches over MacGillivray’s net.
Portsmouth looked to end the first half strong, maintaining possession with a shot by John Marquis that was blocked on the edge of the box by Ro-Shaun Williams. Portsmouth started their second half strong just as they ended their first half, however, it just wasn’t enough to get something from the game.
Portsmouth made the first two subs of the game, shortly followed by two subs for Town. The impact from Josh Laurent and Whalley gave Town the push that they needed.
Portsmouth had a goal cleared from a John Marquis shot that looked like it was heading in. Fantastic defending from Aaron Pierre to put it out for a corner.
For the last 25 minutes of the game, Town looked in control and dominated as they were a player up, but also a goal up. Even centre-half Pierre joined in on the action as he turns away and through two of Pompy’s defence.
With six minutes added on after the 90, Portsmouth had a last-ditch minute corner, which fell to Portsmouth on the half-volley and smashed it way over O’Leary’s goal and into the away stand.
Three points on the board for the opening game of the season and a positive mentality that Town can take into next week’s game away at MK Dons. The crowd and support have been fantastic with a grand total of 7880 here at Montgomery Waters Meadow.