| Match Report |
Official result - Wlakover subject to league confirmation.
Knowing the points were already in the bag for the 5ths meant that the games against Shrewsbury was a time to experiment and reinforce the key fundamentals which have led to the successes achieved so far this season.
Fielding a young side with a core of experienced players, the Shrewsbury team proved a different type of opposition to those previously encountered within the league thus far. Consequently, this gave Telford a sharp shock in the opening exchange, as the visitors found themselves on the back foot. Resolute defending coupled with a strong determination to keep up the momentum of previous performances meant that Telford kept themselves level throughout. Solid performances from an experienced back four gave solid foundations from which to build their attacking prowess. Vital interceptions and tackles from Jerry Cresswell and Alan Bain kept the sprightly, albeit naive Shrewsbury attack. This quick thinking, alongside Alex Ward's rapid reflexes in goal, frustrated the hosts.
Once firmly finding their footing in the game, Telford were able to string a series of well worked passes together, where Seth Higginson, Ewan de Vere and George Pittinson combined perfectly to result in the game's first penalty corner. With 5 goals in 3 games for Telford, new recuit Adam Wheeler stepped up to put a well placed drag flick in past the left post man for his 6 goal of the season and 5th Penalty Corner goal.
It would be fair to say that Shrewsbury's well patterned opening salvo was now broken, and what once was a team manifested into individual performances whilst Telford's team spirit and teamwork grew ever stronger.
However, with five minutes left in the first half, disaster struck. The Shrew's right half found himself on the baseline of the circle with little options ahead of him. A happy-go-lucky cross-come-shot deceived keeper Ward and trickled mercilessly into the back of the net. Confusion reigned as Shrewsbury started to set up for a Penalty Corner, whilst the umpire signalled a goal and the visitors looked somewhat forlorn at the events which had just unfolded. Nevertheless, it meant that the display which saw the visitors take a stranglehold on the game was erased - for the time being.
As the second half begun, neat interchanges from Alan Brannen and John Higginson in the centre of the pitch ensure that Telford were playing concisely around the opposition, giving them no opportunity for them to try and regain any foothold within the game. Abraham Bello, who had a recent stint with the 4th XI, showed off his capabilities - ghosting past players with relative ease, resulting in a slew of poor challenges and free hits given to break up play and ensure Telford's advantage within the game.
As cheeky as Shrewsbury's equaliser was in the first half, it was nothing compared to the audacity of Seth Higginson's effort from the left hand side of the circle - again from the baseline. Sam Titley combined with Harvey de Vere to feed the goalkeeper-turned-striker, as he flick a reverse stick shot past an onrushing goalkeeper to hammer home Telford's scoring prowess.
You would be forgiven I thinking that Telford completely overran Shrewsbury and dominated them in every area of the park. You would be mistaken, that's just good old bias journalism. Shrewsbury presented an ever present danger with the experience of a wiley centre midfielders distribution being Telford's undoing at times. If not for the lower torso/upper leg of Alan Brannen, Shrewsbury would have found an equaliser. Giving away a penalty stroke is forgivable over giving away a goal.
With the dominant Alex Ward in between the sticks, the young striker stepped up for it to be saved by Ward's left boot. Routine, you may say, but needed to be saved nevertheless. However, this was not the end of Ward's heroics - as the stand in umpire found an infringement whilst the stroke was being taken, and the retake ensued. The man mountain once again stood firm, stuck out a left boot and once again saved the retake, preserving Telford's fragile lead.
As the game neared its conclusion, cracks within the Shrewsbury back line began to show. Inexperience played a part in what would come next. A 40 yard Wheeler aerial from the left side of the attacking baseline to an unmarked Jim Tranter on the right hand side of the 23 proved deadly, as the England Masters man found the ever present Ewan de Vere in the circle, who cooly slotted home for an unassailable lead going into the closing stages of the game.
Telford were given something to think about in the closing minutes, as Shrewsbury's gun-ho attacked Telford's complacency resulting in a well-worked opportunity being taken by the outnumbering hosts.
Recent weeks have shown that a strong team spirit, good understanding of play and a determination to work for one another saw Telford through the final few minutes, staving off one final wave of blue as it looked to push for an equaliser.
Each week, the team grows that little bit stronger; develops new and improved understandings in gameplay, tactics and coherency; and shows that through hard work and determination results can be achieved. Although the game's results will go down as a walkover due to league rules. The performance of this Telford side and the competitive nature of the game was anything but.
The final game of 2021 sees the 5ths face a tricky home game against North Stafford 4ths.
It must be mentioned that a special thanks be extended to Chris Evans, who sacrificed his playing time today in order to ensure the game went ahead by umpiring. Without him, and all other umpires throughout our leagues, we would not have any games to play.
Shrewsbury 2 - Telford 3
A. Wheeler (PC)
S. Higginson (FG)
E. de Vere (FG)
Man of the Match: Alex Ward
Match report: Adam Wheeler
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