Shrewsbury Town analysis: Salop timed to perfection
The only team trying to win the game on Saturday finally did in the end.
Those were the words of Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst after their 1-0 victory against Fleetwood Town.
Salop went into this clash in a buoyant mood after a 4-0 demolition of Bristol Rovers on Tuesday.
However, they were not able to run riot again at the Montgomery Waters Meadow because the Cod Army, as Hurst said, showed very little attacking intent.
From the outset, they were delaying throw-ins and set-pieces, trying to frustrate the hosts.
The only person who ended up getting flustered, however, was the away side’s boss Uwe Rosler, who seemed unhappy with almost every refereeing decision.
Town, showing just what a good side they are, held their nerve and their persistence paid off as Toto Nsiala headed home in the 89th minute.
Ironically, the visiting players and staff then complained as Town took their time to get the ball back in play during added-on time in the second half before the hosts claimed all three points.
The result means Hurst’s charges remain top of League One – two points clear of second-placed Wigan Athletic and 10 ahead of Bradford City in third.
Salop, unsurprisingly, made no changes to the side that began the trouncing of Rovers.
Heavy wind was whistling through the ground as the game got under way.
It was having an affect on the flight of the ball and Town looked to use that to their advantage as they floated in a couple of corners early on.
Fleetwood’s defence managed to clear both of Shaun Whalley’s deliveries before the winger had the home side’s first shot on target – his strike being easily gathered by the Cod Army’s Alex Cairns.
Both teams were enjoying plenty of possession in the middle of the park before things broke down in the final third.
Approaching the half-hour mark, Salop were getting a little more joy going forward. Fleetwood skipper Nathan Pond was caught out by the wind and Alex Rodman pounced, but his half-volley went high and wide.
The visitors’ approach of taking their time resulted in defender Baily Cargill picking up the first booking of the game in the 40th minute after taking too long to take a throw-in.
Lewie Coyle was booked after a similar incident later on.
Just before the break, Junior Brown tested the reflexes of Cairns with a long-range strike and a close-range header.
Town made a decent start to the second period as Whalley set up Carlton Morris, whose effort rolled into the hands of Cairns, before his strike was saved.
Whalley was the livewire for Salop and, just after the hour mark, his cross found Rodman at the back post but his shot was blocked though.
Hurst’s charges were dominating and very nearly made a breakthrough as Abu Ogogo’s volley went inches wide.
Town made an attacking switch bringing on top scorer Stefan Payne for right-back James Bolton.
They then made an enforced change as Brown went down clutching his leg after an attempted cross, with Omar Beckles coming on in his place before a final throw of the dice as Lenell John-Lewis replaced Morris.
And Salop got their goal as Nsiala rose highest after Whalley’s corner to head home over Cairns.
Remarkably, Town are yet to lose this season. The only other side in English football unbeaten this term are Manchester City.
The blue and amber faithful are daring to dream, and why not?
