Darlaston Ladies v Shrewsbury Town Women Match Report 

Shrewsbury Squad 

Phoebe Carter (GK) 

Leanne Rimmer 

Milly Potter 

Grace Layton 

Kelly Williams 

Vikki Owen (C) 

Paris Schofield 

Libby Veitch 

Milly Jay 

Maddie Jones 

Zoe Child 

Mia Pugh 

A 12 player Salop on the road to face Darlaston Ladies for the second time in two weeks. 

It was set out to be a big challenge for the undefeated league leaders as due to illness or unavailability, a much more limited pool of players available for the game. 

With just one substitute available it would be a test for most players having to hold out on their own for the whole game. 

Kick-Off 

It would be clear early in this game that the first goal would be key to how the game would play out, with the low numbers Town had an air of being unsettled to their play. The first 15 minutes of play didn’t see any strong chances at goal but instead attempted displays of control and attack from either side, but the defence and midfield of each team preventing either opposition from having a chance to break through onto goal. 

A strong attacking opportunity would come though, from a through pass down the left side playing striker Maddie Jones straight through one on one with the goalkeeper, the keeper closing down the distance allowing her to block the shot when it’s taken at goal.  

This would become a regular for Salop, with the speed of strikers Maddie and Zoe Child being an issue for Darlaston it was clear that playing the long balls to disrupt the defence was Town’s best chance at creating goalscoring opportunities. 

Zoe would have the next strong chance for Shrewsbury, but at an awkward angle when she takes her shot she’s clipped by a Darlaston defender for a Shrewsbury penalty. 

Youngster Paris Schofield stepping up to the spot as usual penalty taker Shannon McShane, being unavailable for the game.  

With composure and power Paris blasts the penalty to the right side of the goalkeeper, too quick for the Darlaston goalie to react for a save and giving Town the lead, they deserved. 

GOAL – 21′ Paris Schofield  

Darlaston 0-1 Shrewsbury 

With a one goal lead, Shrewsbury looking like they’ve settled into the game, with strong tackles winning them possession and wonderful build up play, keeping Darlaston on the back-foot having to defend constantly. 

Shrewsbury finding themselves having plenty of set-piece chances due to this constant barrage of attacks. One such set-piece being a free kick on the edge of the box, captain Vikki Owen set to take it and in such a good spot is certain to go for goal. 

She does just that and with a curling shot towards the near post it curls neatly into the goal well out of reach for the goalkeeper and doubling Town’s lead in impressive fashion. 

GOAL – 24′ Vikki Owen 

Darlaston 0-2 Shrewsbury 

These last 10 minutes being a barrage on Darlaston with chance after chance being created by Town. Before Darlaston can catch a break in the game, Town are on the offence again, collecting themselves another corner. It’s whipped into the box where after being missed by a Darlaston defender, the loose ball falls to Vikki Owen who easily scores at close range. A brace for the captain! 

GOAL – 28′ – Vikki Owen 

Darlaston 0-3 Shrewsbury 

Darlaston able to compose themselves again and go back to how the game began, preventing Town from breaking through and having any other strong chances at goal. 

A solid all-round performance for Town goalkeeper and defence in preventing any threats from the home side and playing a key role in the facilitating the attacking players that has led to the goals scored. 

HALF-TIME  

Darlaston 0-3 Shrewsbury 

The second half saw a similar playstyle to the game as the first, with either side taking control of possession but struggling to create any danger to either team’s goal. 

But it didn’t take too long for Town to get back in control and create some threats at the Darlaston goal. With another set-piece for Salop a short corner is played to Maddie Jones who gets in a good position before crossing into the near post where Vikki Owen finds herself attacking, with the near post clear Vikki easily re-directs the ball into the goal completing her hat-trick in an impressive set-piece display this match. 

GOAL – 54′ Vikki Owen 

Darlaston 0-4 Shrewsbury 

Town back in control of the game creating chance after chance through the defence of Darlaston. Zoe, Libby and Maddie working together as a dynamic trio in the game creating chance after chance for one another. 

Zoe Child having one such chance down the right side of the pitch, she goes for a shot at the near post but it’s just wide and rebound off the post, Maddie Jones though ready in the box, she easily finishes the rebounded shot collecting her first goal of the game 

GOAL – 61′ Maddie Jones 

Darlaston 0-5 Shrewsbury 

Zoe Child off for Mia Pugh 

The rest of the game saw more chances for Town but none converting into goals. Darlaston managing to hold off from the score line extending any further. 

FULL-TIME  

Darlaston 0-5 Shrewsbury 

Goal scorers: 

Paris Schofield x1 

Vikki Owen x3 

Maddie Jones x1