Shawbury's waiting game pays dividend

Shawbury United are celebrating back-to-back West Midlands League premier division victories - separated by 63 days.

Craig Rogers' side ran out 2-1 winners over Cradley at the Wem Bowen Sports Field in another weather-ravaged programme on Saturday.

And that represented Shawbury's first league outing since a 3-2 triumph at Lye on November 23.

"I think the lads were happy just to have a league game and it was a good performance," said delighted boss Rogers.

"We changed a few things around which worked and we were the side going forward throughout while they were trying to catch us on the break."

Shawbury's victory avenged an 8-2 defeat they suffered at Cradley earlier in the season, with Pat Ellis' 15th minute opener getting the ball rolling for the hosts.

Defender Ellis scored his first goal in more than 12 months when he rifled home a rebound after Dan Graham saw a header well saved following a short corner involving Lewis Sedgley and Rory Woods.

Cradley forged a way back into the game and levelled the scores before the first half was out, but Shawbury were not to be denied and earned a winner 15 minutes from time.

Sedgley broke into the box from the left and his low cross allowed Steve O'Reilly to tap in from close range at the back post.

Shawbury's was the only premier division encounter to be played on Saturday with Shifnal's home clash with Gornal amongst the games postponed because of a frozen pitch.

The division one programme was also affected by the cold temperatures with Hanwood's trip to Trysull, Wellington Amateurs game at Wyrley and Wem Town's clash at Wolverhampton United all falling by the wayside.

Bridgnorth Town Reserves' game did receive the go-ahead, but they remain rooted to the bottom of division one after a 2-1 home defeat to Stone Old Alleynians.

St Martins home clash with Mahal in division two was also called off.