Fans step in with match reports

Fans responded to the request for reports from last night's 2-2 draw in the Town's League Two home clash with Barnet after the Star's James Garrison was banned from the Prostar Stadium.

The Shropshire Star has today decided to print several reports from the match, as well as publishing the full versions below.

Supporters were asked to send in their verdicts from the game after James, who has been covering Shrewsbury Town home and away for the past four seasons, was banned from the ground along with senior reporter Russell Roberts following a meeting with the club's managing director Rob Bickerton and general manager Jon Harris.

Mr Bickerton requested the meeting after a story headlined "Club bosses reveal more fans ejected from ground" appeared in Friday's Shropshire Star.

Readers have also used this website to comment.

See also: Star man banned from Prostar nextpage

By Kelly Dales at the Prostar Stadium

Approaching the Prostar Stadium for the first time in two months, I was apprehensive.

I have been an avid fan of 'Salop' for many years, but business commitments have stopped me going to the majority of games.

However, it being half-term, my step son cajoled me into getting tickets for him and his friend.

And based on the recent Town performances, reported in the Shropshire Star by James Garrison, I thought: 'What the heck, I'll treat me and my husband to a ticket too."

Having been down to Underhill when Town played Barnet in the Conference play-off semi-final, I was aware of just how realistic three points for Barnet could be.

But having just sat down with a Cornish Pasty and a cuppa it was rudely forced upon me when after only four minutes John O'Flynn's shot defeated Garner, and the 5,100 Salop fans and myself were left wondering if this was not meant to be our night.

The Bees appeared very much the home side for much of the first 30 minutes, with Town struggling for control of midfield.

Barnet had done their homework and crowded Salop out, chasing everything and being far quicker on the break against a Town defence lacking the pace of Kelvin Langmead or Darren Moss.

After a penalty appeal when Ben Davies fell in the box, Barnet made the cold conditions seem positively freezing when an error by the Town defence allowed O'Flynn to pull the ball around Glyn Garner, and into the net from such a tight angle that even Town fans applauded.

Town were 2-0 down - a score line that even the most pessimistic fans could not have predicted.

Murmurs were "I could be at home tucked up on the sofa on a night like this" and, "If they score one more I'm off".

And then almost out of nowhere, just one minute after going 2-0 down, up popped the prolific Holt to head McIntyre's cross over the line.

It was never going to be goal of the season, but he was in the right place at the right time – something Town strikers have failed to do for several seasons.

At this point my step-son's friend turned to me and said: "They've scored seven twice this season, maybe they can do it again!"

And just as I was replying "don't get your hopes up sweetheart", Town were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area.

People started to sit up in their seats. This is Davies territory, they said.

And true to form, up he stepped to curl a free kick straight into the back of the net. Suddenly, gloves and hats are off – scoring seven may possibly be on the cards.

Barnet did have one chance just before half time, with a header going high over the bar, but Paul Simpson must surely be happy that his side had pulled themselves back from a 2-0 deficit.

Half time came and went, and with it a double substitution for Shrewsbury – Chris Humphrey and Paul Murray coming on in place of Shane Cansdell-Sherriff and Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Town started the second half far better than the first and the fresh legs of Humphrey bought a good save out of the Barnet keeper soon after.

Ben Davies forced the keeper into another good save after his free kick towards the top corner made Harrison concede the corner.

Town were in control of the midfield for the first time in the game, and controlling play with some fine passes in the way fans have become accustomed to in the last few weeks.

The final ball was missing however, apart from an almost fantastic own goal by Barnet's Albert Adomah, who nearly smashed the ball into the back of his own net to put the town ahead for the first time in the game.

Shrewsbury continued to be in control for much of the second half without either team really making any effort on goal – the second 45 minutes not measuring up to the scoring of the first half.

With neither side really looking like going ahead until the final quarter, Barnet nearly swung it after a slow town defence left Neil Bishop open, only to register a fine save from Garner.

Town responded on 84 minutes with the outside of Holt's right foot - the shot went wide, but the appreciation of the effort was clear on at least three sides of the Prostar Stadium.

Stoppage time came, and the stadium was starting to empty, when after a flurry at the goal mouth Symes, a substitute for Richard Walker in the last third of the game, put the ball in the back of the net, only for it to be disallowed for a reason known only to the referee.

A score draw for the Town that after the opening 30 minutes could so easily have been a lot worse.

And, although not a classic performance that will be remembered in years to come, it is surely a sign that Shrewsbury can come from behind and do have the ability to claw back results when things do not always go their way – something that in years gone by was totally beyond them.nextpage

By SIMON WILDERSPIN

Town Manager Paul Simpson will be wondering how his side managed to drop two more points as the Blues failed to complete a great comeback at the Prostar Stadium.

Two goals inside the first half hour had stunned the home fans on a freezing cold evening before Town warmed them up with a three minute double to rescue a point.

Once level, Town pressured the Barnet goal but could not find a way through a stubborn defence and, despite seeing a late Michael Symes goal harshly disallowed, had to settle for their second draw in four days.

Despite the warning signs of Barnet's attempts to get an early goal, Town failed to get a grip of the game and duly fell behind after four minutes.

After good build up play, a deep cross by Gillet was headed back across goal to John O'Flynn who skilfully hooked a right foot shot past the helpless Garner.

Town attempted to battle back into the game but a quick turn and shot by Davies couldn't force Lee Harrison in the Bees goal into action, as his 18-yard effort blazed over.

Barnet continued to take the game to their opponents, who were sluggish and lacked any kind of invention to get themselves back into the game.

The home side's half hearted penalty appeals were more of desperation than sheer belief, when Davies tumbled over an innocuous tackle.

And within minutes, Town found themselves in even more trouble as the Bees stung their opponents with a goal out of nothing.

A high ball from defence caught out the usually reliable Mike Jackson, who failed to deal with the ball amid pressure from O'Flynn, who shrugged the big man off, before rounding Garner and slotting into an empty net from an acute angle.

But within minutes, Town halved the deficit when a McIntyre cross was diverted across goal to an unmarked Holt, who headed home with the simplest of ease. It was a goal that lifted the fans and the players themselves.

And that new sense of belief paid off when the scores were level after 34 minutes. The determined Davies curled home a beautiful free kick from 20 yards to give the freezing fans something to keep their mind off the cold.

Despite conceding two goals in three minutes, Barnet kept their heads and battled the half out. Town's only other goal threat was that of a Coughlan chance from a corner, but the former Rotherham man saw his header rise over the crossbar and with it, the half time whistle was blown.

The second half saw Town start it with a double substitution, with Humphrey and Murray replacing Sigurdssen and Cansdell-Sherriff respectively.

And the change seemed to catch Barnet off guard as Town's weekend goal scorer Humphrey flew down the right wing on goal, only to see the keeper save the winger's tame drive.

Salop continued their impressive start to the second half, with Davies forcing Harrison into a smart tip over the bar.

With the Salop fans finding their voices, the players responded with wave after wave of attacks.

Tierney caused havoc in the Barnet penalty area, as his teasing cross was spilled by Harrison, with Holt a fraction away from punishing him.

The tireless Walker was doing his best to get himself into the game. Firstly meeting Holt's chest down with a left foot volley that was deflected wide before shooting low with a left foot strike which Harrison could only parry into the path of Holt, whose cross was cleared by the onrushing Adomah. It was to be Walker's last main contribution as he made way for Symes.

For all the home side's pressure, Barnet still posed a threat on the counter, and almost stole the show with ten minutes remaining. With only two defenders back, Barnet hit Town on the break, and after the defence was carved open, Glynn Garner came to the rescue as he dived bravely at the feet of the striking Neal Bishop.

Town continued to press in the latter stages as the crowd sensed an exciting finish. With five minutes remaining, Holt managed to hold off his marker before delicately placing a curling shot with the outside of his right foot towards the top corner. But the impressive Harrison was to have the last laugh as his fingertips forced the ball wide of the goal. The bees' number one then dived at the feet of McIntyre before the Salop player could finish.

With seconds on the clock, and with a majority of fans rushing to their car heaters, Town had what they thought was the winner three minutes into injury time. A deep cross managed to find its way to the back post where the onrushing Symes powered in a header, only for the Ref to rule it out for a controversial push by Grant Holt.

In the end, Town had to settle for a point against a side they really would have envisaged taking three points off.

But after the battling performance Simpson's men gave at Brentford, the gaffer will take heart from his side's new found never say die attitude.nextpage

By STEVE FLETCHER

It was a night of mixed emotions at the Prostar as a superb fight back and rousing second half display only narrowly failed to bring Paul Simpson's Shrewsbury Town three vital points to continue their push for promotion from League 2.

And had Michael Symes' injury time header been allowed to stand, Shrewsbury would have recorded a first win in three games, having failed to claim three points from either of their previous two outings at Accrington and Brentford.

As it was Barnet began the game in the ascendency, forcing a couple of corners in the opening minutes before a throw in down the left led to the opening goal from striker John O'Flynn.

Nicky Nicolau's deep cross was headed back across goal by Adomoah for O'Flynn to volley home from 12 yards.

It was no more than the visitors deserved and although Michael Jackson saw a header fly over the bar and Ben Davies fired over from the edge of the box following a smart turn, it was Barnet who were playing the more incisive football, belying their 18th place in the table, as Town struggled to retain possession on what was becoming an increasingly slippery surface.

Cansdell-Sheriff's close range shot on the turn was blocked by a defender inside the six yard box but all too often Town's approach play relied on high ball into the area rather than the cultured passing game Town fans have become accustomed to this season.

It therefore came as no real surprise when Barnet doubled their lead after 29 minutes – Jackson misjudged a high bouncing ball allowing O'Flynn to nip in behind him and round the keeper before slotting the ball home from the tightest of angles – much to the delight of the 68 travelling fans.

Shrewsbury's response was swift. Kevin McIntyre sent a free kick to the far post for Graham Coughlan to head back across the six yard area where Grant Holt was waiting to nod home his tenth goal of the season.

And within two minutes Town were level. Holt was again instrumental as he tangled with Yakubu on the edge of the area, earning a free kick 20 yards from goal, and up stepped Ben Davies to plant a perfectly placed shot over the wall and into the top corner of Lee Harrison's net.

Two-all and only 33 minutes on the clock. Plenty of time it would seem for Town to add to their already impressive tally of goals this season.

However, Barnet steadied the ship and Town continued to look vulnerable at the back forcing manager Paul Simpson to ring the changes at half time.

Paul Murray, returning from injury, replaced Gylfi Sigurdsson but it was Chris Humphrey, on for Cansdell-Sheriff, who made an immediate impact, racing into the area before firing straight at Harrison in the Barnet goal.

The former West Bromwich Albion youngster, buoyed by his first ever senior goal last Saturday, produced a string of good crosses from which Holt, Walker and Davies all narrowly failed to profit.

Davies saw another free kick, this time from 30 yards, tipped over the bar by the impressive Harrison and the Barnet keeper came to his side's rescue again, palming Holt's 68th minute drive for a corner.

With 20 minutes remaining, Michael Symes replaced Richard Walker as Town signalled their intention to push forward at every opportunity.

However in doing so they left gaps at the back and Garner had to be on his toes when Neal Bishop ran on to a clever through ball and looked to have only the keeper to beat, but the Town keeper stood his ground.

Play swung from end to end as both sides sensed victory was a possibility. Garner punched clear and in doing so set up a counter attack which saw Holt's swerving shot with the outside of his right foot well saved by Harrison who was undoubtedly Barnet's best player on the night.

Having made his mark with two goals in the first period, John O'Flynn gave way to Alan Birchall as Barnet manager Paul Fairclough made his first change with just two minutes remaining.

However, it was another substitute, Michael Symes who almost snatched the headlines when he bundled the ball over the line with virtually the last touch of the game after good hold-up play in the area from Grant Holt who steered Ben Herd's cross towards the advancing Symes.

However referee Andy Penn cut short the Shrewsbury celebrations, awarding Barnet a free kick having adjudged Holt to be guilty of pushing.

In the end both managers will have been disappointed with just a solitary point from what was an absorbing encounter and Town will look forward to getting back to winning ways when Luton Town are the visitors to the Prostar on Saturday. nextpage

By Robin Poulson

On a day when Shropshire experienced an early glimpse of snow, Shrewsbury were left ruing being caught cold by two early John O'Flynn goals as Paul Simpson's men had to battle from behind to draw 2-2 at home to Barnet.

With weather conditions in the county positively festive, Barnet must have thought that Christmas had come early, taking advantage of some dire Town defending in racing to a two-goal lead inside half an hour.

The first came after just four minutes as Salop went missing inside their own box following a deluge of corners, John O'Flynn pouncing on a knockdown from an unmarked teammate.

It got worse on 28 minutes as O'Flynn capitalised on a mistake by Mike Jackson before rounding keeper Glyn Garner and slotting home.

An open half saw chances at both ends, with neither shaky-looking defence aided by a slippery surface.

Three minutes later and Town were back in the game. A left-wing cross from Ben Davies was eventually nodded home by the excellent Grant Holt.

It took only two further minutes for Town to draw level. Davies was brought down on the edge of the box before picking himself up to drill an unstoppable drive past the Barnet keeper.

The second half was a lacklustre affair, Simpson changing shape by introducing Paul Murray for a welcome return from injury in the middle of the park and the unpredictable Chris Humphrey on the right.

Humphrey had a good chance to put Town ahead immediately after the break but shot straight at the Barnet keeper.

Town continued to huff and puff throughout the second half but to little avail, despite late sub Michael Symes having a last minute effort correctly ruled out for a foul by Holt.

All in all, most Town fans would have been happy to take a point after half an hour's play, but really this must be viewed as two points dropped in the grand scheme of the season.

Town will need to start converting recent draws into victories if they wish to consider themselves genuine play-off, let alone promotion, contenders.nextpage

By Kerin Jones

On a Prostar-ctic evening more evocative of mid January than the mists and mellow fruitfulness of autumn, Shrewsbury Town took too long to defrost and found that their guests had twice gorged themselves on the offerings of a profligate defence by the time the hosts sat down to dine.

True, the Barnet finishing was of the highest order, but the portents were not good as Town gifted three corners in quick succession before the Bees opened their account.

O'Flynn was permitted too much space to neatly volley the first on five minutes, and his second just before the half hour resulted from Jackson's decision to let a high ball bounce.

From that moment he was helpless as the striker embraced the gift and rolled the ball home from the tightest of angles to give Shrewsbury, for the second time in eight days, a two goal glacier to climb.

Full credit to the hosts for a response that was as exhilarating as it was instantaneous. Grant Holt's soaring header to meet a left wing cross gave Town the lift they needed and provided yet more evidence that he is a marksman of true quality. Once again, through his tireless and selfless all-round link up play he strove hard for ninety minutes to create chances and bring in his strike partners. For me he was a worthy man of the match.

The superb second, from what is becoming a hallmark Ben Davies free kick, arrived just two minutes later and brought high hopes of a complete and convincing turnaround.

Sadly, the Town just could not convert possession into control and hence into goals; a very late header from Symes was ruled out because of the FA's determination to remove all physical contact from the game.

Maybe it was the falling temperature and glistening surface that afflicted the home side tonight – when an Icelander is unable to appear for the second half you know it's time to put your coat on – but the arguments about blades or studs on footwear are erroneous.

In truth, as in the Port Vale game, Town struggled to deal with a five man midfield.

The expectations of Chris Humphrey are excessive.

His strength is in running at a full back, not jockeying for an opening. Had his early chance in the second half been tucked away it may have given him the confidence to help town to a win that seemed theirs for the taking, but one win and six points from the last half dozen games is not the performance of a team in form, and the abundant confidence that we had in spades a few weeks ago is in danger of evaporating.

One consolation is that we are not alone in our inconsistency. This season will surely go to the wire. nextpage

By David Williams

Pint half-full or half empty!

Ask the 5,100 Shrews fans after last night's game against Barnet and you would probably get a 50/50 split.

Shrews 2-0 down after 25 minutes but coming back to 2-2 at half time, and then second half creating the majority of chances only to see blocked efforts, shots wide, and a disallowed last minute goal.

So a point won or two dropped?

Barnet came out of the blocks at the start of the game much quicker than Shrewsbury, and in the first few minutes put the Town defence under pressure with two or three crosses.

Barnet playing a 4 –5-1 formation dominated the midfield area, and were quick to break forward, passing crisply through to their forwards, and turning both Herd and Tierney with balls knocked into the areas behind them

The first goal for Barnet came on four minutes, when a slip by Herd allowed the Barnet full back Devera to cross a ball to the back post, where it was headed back into the path of O'Flynn who finished superbly with a waist high volley, giving Garner no chance in the Shrewsbury goal

And things didn't get much better after that. The midfield of Town were getting overrun and the usually solid defence of Coughlan, Jackson and Cansdell-Sherrif was looking decidedly uncertain.

On 28 minutes a long ball from Barnet sailed over the Town defence, and whereas Michael Jackson would normally opt for safety and Row Q of the West Stand, this time he tried to control it, only to slip on the ever worsening icy surface, allowing O'Flynn to sprint clear, round Garner and slot the ball home.

So was this to be the second home defeat of the season, following the Port Vale game earlier this month?

Town came straight back from the kick off and a good control from Ben Davies, resulted in him going down under a challenge from Townsend the Barnet defender.

Most people sat in the East Stand where I was saw it as another slip on the icy surface, but the free kick given was welcomed.

Davies took the free kick with a long ball to the back post, where Coughlan "muscled" Yakubu to win the header and knocked it back into the middle of goal, where Grant Holt had a free header from four yards.

Suddenly the deep gloom that was beginning to overshadow the Prostar lightened, and the crowd responded with good vocal support.

From the kick off Town surged forward and once again it was Holt who earned a foul this time on the edge of the box just to the left of the goals.

For Beckham v Greece in 2002 read Ben Davies v Barnet in 2008.

A sublime free kick from Ben straight into the top left hand corner giving Harrison in the Barnet goal absolutely no chance at all.

So 2-2 at half time, but the Town did were not looking that comfortable.

Town made two substitutions at the start of the second half, Murray coming on for Sigurdsson (who apparently had felt unwell before the game), and Humphries for Cansdell–Sherrif who must be relieved to be sitting out Saturday's game due to suspension.

From the start Shrewsbury looked much more positive and within the first minute a ball down the right hand side saw Humphries skin the defender and have a clear run at goal.

Surely after his first goal of the season at Brentford on Saturday he would double his count, but no, his shot was straight at Harrison and the keeper made a good save.

Town continued to push forward during long periods of the second half, but wasted shots, poor crosses and good defending from Barnet saw the game petering out towards the draw.

Symes replaced Walker on 70 minutes, and he showed good determination and a partnership with Holt that was more effective than Holt with Walker

With time ticking away, a last long cross in by Herd was bundled back across goal by Holt for Symes to tap in, but the celebrations were short lived as the referee Mr Tenn had already given a foul against Holt for pushing.

So a 2-2 draw in the end that sees Town remain in the top 6 four points off the lead. It's Luton at home Saturday, and after this result nothing less than three pooints will keep the expectant Town fans happy!nextpage

By Daz Davies, on his first visit to the Prostar Stadium

A cold evening for Shrewsbury to welcome the visit of Barnet, with the Shrews hoping to pick up three points after a tough draw away last Saturday to Brentford.

The away supporters, all 40 of them, trying to make some noise. The game gets under way and the Shrews kicking from left to right in this first half, it's apparent from the first few opening minutes that Barnet have a game plan to boss the midfield and as the half wears on the evidence of this comes more to light.

It's a bright start from the visitors who break the deadlock after just four minutes, a cross from the left isn't dealt with properly in the box and Bishop heads the ball into the path of unmarked O'Flynn, who on the half volley doesn't miss from 10 yards.

The Shrews seem to have no penetration and are pumping long balls down the middle to Holt and Walker, but Town seem to be creating very little and there's a distinct absense of wide play.

Town are getting over-run in midfield and at times Barnet look like they are playing with an extra man.

It's Barnet that are being more adventurous and on the 28th minute they make Shrewsbury pay for some silly mistakes and sloppy play.

A long ball played down the right should be dealt with by Tierney, but he is under pressure from O'Flynn who beats him to the ball and finds himself one on one with Garner.

O'Flynn cooly side steps the goalkeeper and slides the ball into the empty net, and Shrewsbury are now 2-0 down. Shrewsbury need to get a hold on things, otherwise you can see Barnet running away with the game.

Shrewsbury's response, however, is swift – straight from kick-off they win a corner.

The corner is taken long to the back post where Graham Coughlan heads back across goal and there's Grant Holt to head home from close range for his 10th of the season.

Shrewsbury seem to be in the groove and are starting to play the ball around a bit better, then in 33rd minute Shrewsbury win a free kick on edge of box.

Ben Davies, the man for the job, steps up and hits an unstoppable shot over the wall and into the top corner.

Shrewsbury end the half slightly better than when they started it but they know they must change things at half time.

Second-half Simpson decides to change things. Chris Humphrey and Paul Murray are brought on to replace Cansdell Sherriff and Sigurdsson.

The Shrews start the second half with more about them, Simpson perhaps wanting more from them, the subs seem to make an affect early on as Humphrey makes a run down the right beats his man and puts in a cross but the Shrews are unable to capitalise.

The second half sees Shrews dominating Barnet with a more controlled performance; however, the final ball seems to be missing, Ben Davies again has a free kick a little further out than the first half goal but doesn't stop him from having a crack and forces the Barnet keeper to tip the ball over the bar.

Symes comes on for last 15 minutes for Walker and Barnet are offering very little of a threat going forward.

The Shrews, searching for a goal to go in front, try spreading the play but Humphreys is disappointing after a promising start to the second half.

The Shrews seem to be having more joy down the left with the tireless work of Davies and Holt. Five minutes from the end Holt finds himself clear on his own with little support and is denied his second of the game as his attempted curler is smartly tipped round post.

Then right at the death, a Shrewsbury corner is swung in, Barnet don't deal with it and it looks like Symes has won it for Shrewsbury by bundling the ball home at far post, only for the referee to deny Shrewsbury three points by claiming Symes pushed the Barnet defender.

The full time whistle goes shortly after that and the points are shared, a fair result perhaps, but Shrewsbury need a bit more pace to their game and almost certainly need a midfielder whom can boss the midfield.nextpage

By Michael Wilkinson

My first visit was on Tuesday to watch to Shrewsbury vs Barnet.

Both sides played well and tried their best right to the final whistle and there was no crowd trouble of any sort.

Now it's many years since I've watched a pro football match, in fact the last time was at Fratton Park in Portsmouth with my dad and one of the visiting team members was a gent called Stanley Matthews, when all the players wore brown leather boots with knock in studs and the ball was made of leather.

A comparison is interesting.

Touch judges now seem to only look for the offside and don't indicate where the ball went out.

The players now throw the ball in at up to 20 yards from where it went out rather than where it actually went out of play (try that at a rugby match!).

Players actually man-handle each other and push their opponents out of the way whilst the ref watches and does nothing.

Contact between players used to be allowed only from elbow to shoulder.

Players argue with the ref – why?

Finally, and I find this quite fascinating, each side has a box outlined beside the pitch where a man jumps up and down whistling, shouting and gesticulating telling his players what to do, I thought that was the captain's job!

The ball seems to spend an amazing amount of time in the air as players head it in seemingly random directions to the point where I thought he game should be renamed head ball.

When we played with leather balls it took a brave man to head a wet ball and not risk brain damage.

The seating was good for viewing as dad used to have to send me down to the front of the terraces to watch, in those days it was what all the dads did for their children who were always looked after by the crowd.

A good evening's entertainment nevertheless!