Miraculous defending secured Shrewsbury Town a point away at Adams Park on Tuesday night.
Wycombe boasted control of the opening minutes and were causing Town trouble with their set pieces, but they couldn’t find a way past Shrewsbury’s defence. Matthew Pennington put in the first goal-saving challenge when he turned a low ball over the crossbar in the 12th minute. Sam Vokes poked his effort from the resulting corner over the target from a couple of yards out.
The next golden opportunity for Wycombe came just before the half-hour mark but once again, Salop’s defence were equal to it. Garath McCleary sent a cross towards the back post where Jason McCarthy put the ball back across the goal and it was met by the onrushing Chris Forino however, he could only chest the ball goalward and Marko Marosi got down smartly to collect the ball on the goal line.
Wycombe went close again shortly before half-time as McCleary found himself on the penalty spot and with just Marosi to beat. The Jamaican’s shot looked destined for the bottom corner, but George Nurse came sliding in with a terrific challenge and hooked the ball onto the post all in one swift motion to send the sides into the break on level terms.
Things carried on in much the same way after the second half got underway, with Wycombe pushing hard to take the lead but failing to get the ball over the line. Their next good chance came just after the hour mark when Brandon Hanlan found himself one-on-one with Marosi but the Slovakian 'keeper made himself big and kept the shot out.
Town’s first effort at goal came in the 66th minute when an Elliott Bennett free-kick was headed back across goal by Pennington and Vela sent a powerful header goalward, but it was cleared by a Wanderers defender.
Marosi was called into action yet again when, in the 78th minute, Sullay Kaikai struck a curling effort from 20-yards that forced the Salop ‘keeper to get down low and palm the shot away. Shrewsbury’s shot-stopper was involved again minutes later as he was asked to claim Adebayo Akinfenwa’s left-footed strike from the edge of the box – which he did comfortably.
One need only look at the match stats to know Shrewsbury were up against it throughout the game, however, with goal-saving blocks from Pennington and Nurse’s somewhat miraculous challenge, and not to mention Marosi’s fantastic goalkeeping throughout, a point seemed a fair reward for Town who now look ahead to their trip to Plymouth Argyle this weekend.
Teams:
Wycombe Wanderers: David Stockdale, Jack Grimmer, Joe Jacobson (C), Curtis Thompson, Sam Vokes (Adebayo Akinfenwa, 81), Lewis Wing (Anis Mehmeti, 81), Garath McCleary, Brandon Hanlan (Sullay Kaikai,72), Jordan Obita, Jason McCarthy, Chris Forino
Subs Not Used: Adam Pryzybek, Anthony Stewart, David Wheeler, Daryl Horgan
Salop: Marko Marosi (GK), Aaron Pierre, Ethan Ebanks-Landell (C), Matthew Pennington, Tyrese Fornah, Josh Vela, David Davis, Elliott Bennett, Tom Bloxham (Ryan Bowman, 62), George Nurse, Saikou Janneh (Daniel Udoh, 62)
Subs Not Used: Harry Burgoyne (GK), Matty Bondswell, Charlie Caton, Joshua Daniels
Officials:
Referee: Sam Purkiss
Assistant Referees: Adam Ricketts and Marc Wilson
Fourth Official: Will Finnie
Bookings:
Elliott Bennett picked up the first yellow card of the game for a foul in the 34th minute. He got the ball but the reasoning for the booking appeared to be that he came from behind the player.
Marko Marosi was booked for timewasting in the second half and Matthew Pennington also went in the referee’s book for a foul not long after.
Joe Jacobson was booked for a foul on Elliott Bennett late on.
