Walking to Victory

By: Andrew Doherty
Date: 12/08/2025

IT'S been an interesting start to the season. A good win at home to Crawley was followed by a creditable draw after a fightback at Harrogate. After Saturday's game Head Coach David Artell rightly highlighted the positives but also commented that we were poor in transition.

I'm never quite sure what being in transition means, but if I understand it correctly whilst it could be argued that we were slow to respond to Harrogate's free kick for their first goal after a foul, it was taken from the wrong place and even the referee wasn't ready for the transition. This evening's English League Cup game at home to Shrewsbury gave us the opportunity to improve on this aspect. At the same time I was expecting Mr Artell to rotate the team and give those squad players who haven't started an opportunity. One distinctly encouraging sign on Saturday was the performance of the substitutes who slotted into the pattern and provided an injection of energy. Our opponents this evening were Shrewsbury, who were coming off a hammering at Tranmere.

Town's starting line-up was: Pym - Warren, Tharme, Lavelle, Staunton - Amaluzor, Walker, Turi, Khouri, Burns - Gardner. A concern has been the absence of Danny Rose through injury but as well as scoring two goals, his replacement Kabia has done well, scoring twice, providing a physical presence and making a nuisance of himself up front. Tonight however it was Cameron Gardner's chance to shine. In Toto Nsiala and George Lloyd has two names which were familiar to Town fans. Shrewsbury, wearing a striking magenta kit, kicked off in front of Blundell Park's empty spaces. Even with reduced prices and an offer, the crowd was a sparse 3,156 this evening with 134 Shrewsbury followers.

The game started in pedestrian fashion. On 8 minutes the lively-looking Amaluzor got round the defence and set up Khouri whose shot ballooned over the bar. Town started to take control. On 14 minutes as Shrewsbury looked to play the ball out, Turi leapt on a pass and burst forward, cutting back and supplying Amaluzor who slammed in a left-footed shot past Harrison. Town 1, Shrewsbury 0. Town continued to press and on 20 minutes a Burns shot was deflected to Turi who took his time and fired an accurate low shot which the unsighted Harrison did well to save. Walker almost broke through after an excellent pass through the middle before the same player went on a run. being pulled back by Anderson who was booked. Staunton sent in his cross. Clucas cleared. The ball fell to Burns whose shot was handled by Perry - penalty to Town. Walker stepped up but mishit his penalty kick which Harrison saved easily to his left. On 32 minutes Walker caught Clucas napping but was pushed wide as Town continued to provide a threat. Shrewsbury did win a corner on 34 minutes. This led to a short spell in Town's half, which ended when Khouri and Amaluzor launched a counterattack. Shrewsbury won a free kick when Warren clattered Stewart. Sang's curled free kick was gathered by Pym.

The crowd was quiet. Shrewsbury were coming back into the game but neither side was putting together any dangerous moves. Town had an attack at the end of the half. Staunton worked forward. His cross found Walker who turned but sent his shot wide. The half ended with Town leading 1 - 0. Although Town had gone off the boil, they deserved their lead.

Rodgers came on for Lavelle at half time. Town broke away on 46 minutes. Khouri ran up the left but Clucas cynically dragged him back and received a yellow card. Town won a free kick on the right which Staunton took. Warren got a good head on it. Harrison hesitated but tipped it over. Town attacked again. More good work by Staunton led to Burns receiving the ball and laying it off to Warren whose excellent low pass into the box was met by Gardner who clipped the ball home. It was fantastic to see Gardner get off the mark after injuries and honest performances. Town 2, Shrewsbury 0. Tactically Town had the measure of the visitors who seemed intent on playing the ball out slowly from the back. Town were closing down well. On 55 minutes Town won a succession of corners. Great skill by Walker saw him waltz past Nurse but the move ended with an offside decision. The game stopped for injuries first to Walker and then to Sang. With 62 minutes gone, Hoole ran up the right and sent in a long cross. Benning did well to pull the ball back, allowing Sang to loop the ball over Pym and into the net. Town 2, Shrewsbury 1. Burns won a corner on 65 minutes and had a shot blocked as Town showed better movement and determination than their opponents. Clumsy defending led to another Town corner on 69 minutes as Khouri took advantage. Great work by Burns who saw and delivered a through ball to Khouri who won yet another corner. Town looked positive. The rain came down It was Khouri on 74 minutes who saw an opening on the left and sent Burns away as Town stretched the Shrewsbury defence again. With 77 minutes gone Green and Brown provided some fresh colour, replacing the industrious Walker and Burns. At the same time Kabia replaced Gardner. Green immediately went on a surging run, finding Brown whose cross evaded everyone. Hoole received a yellow card for shoulder barging Khouri on 81 minutes. Staunton's cross was punched away. Shrewsbury had a moment with a good through ball by Perry but Pym was alert and raced out to clear the threat. McDermott then found Benning whose far post cross was almost met by Scully who couldn't control his header. Right on 90 minutes Green made another good run up the middle, finding Warren whose shot was blocked. Warren picked up the rebound and was bowled over by Nurse - another penalty to Town. Kabia's penalty was drilled low into the left corner, giving Harrison no chance. Town 3, Shrewsbury 1. In the final seconds Pym made a great save from a Lloyd header, but 3 -1 wasthe final score.

At times this game represented a pre-season friendly, but Town, while not always impressive, showed greater teamwork, skill and endeavour. There was no dubt that Town were the better side. Walker's penalty was a bleak moment in Town's performance but otherwise Town's new signing was constantly busy and creative. So too we saw good performances from Staunton, Warren, Amaluzor, Khouri, Burns and Turi, plus we saw Gardner score his first goal for Town, so there was plenty of reason for satisfaction. Now we can look forward to the draw for the second round, but in the meantime we can be pleased with this workout and result.

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