Shifnal v Shrewsbury match report 

Shrewsbury XI: 

Phoebe Carter 

Grace Layton 

Vikki Owen 

Brogan Cook 

Leanne Rimmer 

Abbie Mcshane 

Jess Walley 

Lily Mcshane 

Libby Veitch  

Shannon Mcshane 

Maddie Jones 

Shrewsbury Subs: 

Jessica Williams 

Lottie Etterley 

Zoe Child 

Paris Schofield 

Olivia Minshall 

Kick-Off 

Shrewsbury’s away game saw both top of the league teams battle it out to claim their spot at the top of the league. 

Town playing in the extreme cold against an overly physical opposition, the team were faced with challenges that they’ve never had to deal with so far this season. 

Town found themselves on the back-foot early into the first half, a mistake from the back playing a pass out short that was intercepted by the quick number 7 of Shifnal, she quickly shoots after gaining possession and slots its past Phoebe in goal. Giving Shifnal the lead within the first ten minutes of the game. 

Shifnal 1-0 Shrewsbury 

Shrewsbury having to work extra hard now as Shifnal take a more defensive holding style after going a goal up, not taking any risks to lose the ball. When Shrewsbury do have possession Shifnal not allowing them any time to breathe before they come challenging in rough into a tackle, free-kicks being given out constantly, with players getting warnings for their tackles. 

Maddie Jones utilising her speed in another game to create the chances for Town, with through balls playing her through Shifnal’s defenders having to clear the chances before Maddie has the chance to go for goal. 

Around the thirtieth minutes one of the chances is again created for Maddie, with space to run down the left side, she cuts in to get herself into the box before being taken down poorly in the box, the referee blows his whistle for a penalty for Town. 

Shannon Mcshane steps up, Towns usual penalty taker. The penalty is placed low and to the left of the keeper who does well to get down to save the shot, but before she has time to react, Shannon has run over to finish the second attempt and equalising the game. 

Shifnal 1-1 Shrewsbury, Shannon Mcshane 

Shifnal now unable to continue their defensive style of play and having to go back to an offensive style of play, because of this Town are able to create themselves more opportunities at goal. Maddie Jones breaking down their defence creating space with her agile runs. 

Abbie Mcshane in the midfield playing a key role in the game, as one of Towns more physical players who’s helped regain possession in the midfield throughout the first half. She finds herself with the ball down the right side, she finds Maddie with a perfectly weighted pass, with the keeper closing down Maddie she has to shoot and with a tidy finish puts Town in the lead for the first time of the game. 

Shifnal 1-2 Shrewsbury, Maddie Jones 

Town looking to hold off now and defend against aggressors in Shifnal, for most of the second half Town managing to hold off defending well and stopping any chances at goal, with outstanding defensive performances from all four Town defenders (Grace, Vikki, Brogan and Leanne), it looks like Town will be able to hold out for the rest of the game. 

But an unfortunate handball in the box gives Shifnal a penalty which sees them equalising the game again. With the time running out in the game, Shrewsbury’s opportunity to score a winner keeps looking more and more out of reach, with Shifnal getting multiple booking and even a red card for their challenges, Town have been put through the ringer in the game. With Shifnal trying to hold out the game to take the point, they’re able to prevent Town from scoring another before the final whistle is blown and the points are shared. 

Full Time Shifnal 2-2 Shrewsbury 

Special recognition to goalkeeper Phoebe Carter who played the whole game even with an ankle injury from the warm up and after receiving a nasty head bump mid-way through the match.