A share of the points after a good Town performance away to Rotherham
Referee: Carl Boyeson
Assistants: M. Bristow & D. Ford
4th Official: C. Ward
Attendance: 8380 – 429 Town
Rotherham United: 1.Daniel Iverson, 2.Billy Jones, 3.Joe Mattock (c), 8. Ben Wiles, 10. Freddie Ladapo (66 OFF), 14. Carlton Morris, 15. Clark Robertson, 16. Jamie Lindsay, 17. Matt Crooks, 20. Michael Ihiekwe, 23. Jake Hastie (81 OFF)
Subs: 12. Lewis Price (GK), 4 Shaun MacDonald (81 ON), 6. Richard Wood, 11. Dan Barlaser, 24. Michael Smith (66 ON), 26. Julien Lamy, 33. Jake Cooper
Shrewsbury Town: 25. Max O'Leary, 5. Ro-Shaun Williams, 6. Omar Beckles, 7. Shaun Whalley (89 OFF), 8. Ollie Norburn (c), 9. Callum Lang (73 OFF), 11. Ryan Giles, 17. Donald Love, 22. Sean Goss, 24. Ethan Ebanks-Landell, 28. Josh Laurent (85 OFF)
Subs: 34. Sam Agius (GK), 3. Scott Golbourne, 4. Dave Edwards (85 ON), 15. Brad Walker (89 ON), 16. Romain Vincelot, 23. Daniel Udoh, 35. Jason Cummings (73 ON)
A point apiece at the AESSEAL New York Stadium as Town and Rotherham both hold out for a goalless draw.
Sam Ricketts made one change from Tuesday evenings team after Shaun Whalley came in to replace Jason Cummings. While on the bench, Scott Golbourne, Dave Edwards and Romain Vincelot all made their return in a Town shirt. 17-year-old goalkeeper Sam Agius made Town's bench after Joe Murphy didn't travel due to becoming a father. Defender Aaron Pierre was missing after picking up a mid-week knock during training.
With a goalless first half at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, both teams couldn't find an end product even though there were a handful of chances. The hosts came closest first after Freddie Ladapo leapt onto receive well-worked cross, but Ladapo was unlucky to not connect well with the ball. Ladapo watched his effort go wide of Max O'Leary's goal.
The Millers came close again minutes after due to Omar Beckles. Omar played a dangerous bouncing ball back to O'Leary, and he had to hit it first time as Ladapo was pressing the ball. O'Leary's ball hit Ladapo and forced the block, but Ladapo still had possession and found ex-Town man, Carlton Morris in the box but the shot was wide.
It was Town's turn after a changeover in possession. Josh Laurent dribbled past three Millers defenders and found Town's number 9, Callum Lang. Lang squared the ball to Shaun Whalley, but Whalley was unfortunate not to put the ball into the back of the net after The Millers blocked the effort sending it away for a Town corner.
Midfield maestro, Sean Goss, found himself covering at right-back. Goss played a world-class ball across field to the left-wing and found Ryan Giles. Giles ran the ball to the by-line and forced a corner for Town. Town played a short corner from Giles that found Whalley and set-up captain Ollie Norburn. Norburn sent a cross into the back-post attempting to find Laurent's head; however, the linesman already had the flag up for offside.
Rotherham had a great chance as Ladapo found himself free on the edge of the box and smashed a ball towards goal. O'Leary made sure it was his ball.
Town played some fantastic football in areas and looked to be on top of the game. After a short corner from Rotherham, The Millers found themselves in danger as Whalley won the short ball and began to break. Whalley found Lang down the right-wing, Lang was bought down, and the ball went out for a Town throw.
Jamie Lindsay played an excellent long ball over the top of Town's defence as it fell to Ladapo and Jake Hastie. Neither of them could find their feet and make something of it.
After the ref blew on the 25-minute mark for a quick drink break, Town produced some lovely football with a high press, keeping possession and were making their way into Rotherham's territory.
Town's closest chance came from Ryan Giles. After Lang worked back to win back possession, he played the ball into Laurent but lost it and won a Town throw. Giles took the throw and played it into Laurent's feet as they produced a one-two, Giles had the ball and weaved his way through Rotherham's midfield and defence. Giles cut in on his right foot, just inside of the 18-yard-box and fired a shot at Daniel Iverson who managed to put the ball over for a Town corner. Goss whipped in the corner as Ethan Ebanks-Landell came flying through the box, but Ebanks-Landell's header was just the wrong side of the post.
Town looked on top in certain areas of play, especially in midfield as Norburn produced a trick that sent two midfielders the wrong way. Norburn found Lang and won a free-kick after having his shirt pulled deep into The Millers' half. Goss crossed in a free-kick, but it was straight into Iverson's hands.
Half-time
Rotherham United 0 – 0 Shrewsbury Town
Rotherham began the second half looking strong and hungry for the first goal. Their first chance came after a cross from the right-wing was crossed into the back post where captain Joe Mattock was. Donald Love was there to clear and put it away for a corner.
Town had their first chance of the second half after a long throw-in from the left wing found Lang. Lang and Whalley played lovely football between them both as they worked their way through Rotherham's defence. Whalley hit the ball first time but ended up slicing it wide of Iverson's goal.
Captain fantastic Norburn had a class game in midfield. Norburn played a ball over the top to Giles down the left, Giles ran it to the by-line and put a low cross into the box. Rotherham's defence was close to putting it into the back of their own goal. Whalley's short corner was played to Goss on the edge of Rotherham's 18-yard-box, Goss set up Norburn who stroked the ball well, but it took a deflection on the way through. Whalley chased the ball down but was caught offside by the linesman.
O'Leary played a long ball over the top and found Lang. Lang held off two defenders while waiting for help from his teammates. Goss came to join in as he played a long, diagonal ball over to Giles, Giles ran towards the by-line and attempted a cut-back to Whalley. Michael Ihiekwe was there to cut out the ball.
Rotherham were eager for their first goal and created chances but were struggling to find an end product. Town's first change of the game came as the 75th minute approached. Lang was replaced by Jason Cummings.
Ex-Town man, Morris had a great chance for The Millers after a ball came flying in from Ben Wiles. Morris had time and space in Town's box, but he hit the volley wide of O'Leary's goal. Minutes later, Town came close as Whalley found himself through on goal but lost the ball in his own feet and Rotherham won back possession.
10 minutes before time, Omar Beckles received a yellow card after a collision with Morris. Jake Hastie chipped in a free-kick onto Ihiekwe's head that looked to be flying in. Safe hands O'Leary denied the chance with a superb dive and put it out for a corner. Town broke from the corner with Giles. Giles attempted the low cross and but was denied.
Town made their second change of the game with five minutes of play remaining. Josh Laurent was replaced by Dave Edwards. Edwards was unlucky after a ball was smashed towards him and he was on the end of a handball. Town won the ball back and broke with Donald Love down the right. Love and Whalley linked up well together but weren't lucky enough to find a goal.
Sam's last change came in the 89th minute as super Shaun Whalley was replaced by Brad Walker. With play being end to end and both teams wanting to break the deadlock of scoring, there were five minutes extra time.
Town play for a point and a clean sheet. An excellent performance from Town as they go home with a well-earned point and another clean sheet