First Team Squad
13
·
1.7K
·
almost 17 years
First Team Squad
13
·
1.7K
·
almost 17 years

i know there are a few Vale fans on here, so for your benifit....

Port Vale 0 Town 1

SHREWSBURY: Glynn Garner, Darren Moss, Kelvin Langmead, Darren Kempson (46), Darren Campian, Chris Humphrey (46), Stewart Drummond, Danny Hall (46), Marc Pugh, Andy Cooke (67), Michael Symes (46)

SUBS: Ben Herd (46), Colin Murdoch, (46), Steve Leslie (67), Dave Hibbert (46), Jimmy Ryan (46), Chris McKenzie

PORT VALE: Joe Anyon, Jason Talbot (60), George Pilkington, Keith Lowe, Mark McGregor (60), Paul Edwards, Danny Whitaker, Craig Rocastle (72), Shane Tudor (82), Akpo Sodje, Luke Rodgers (74).

 

<!-- Tag // Tag for network 512: Aura Ss Ltd // Website: FLI - Shrewsbury Town // Page: ROS // Placement: Shrewsbury Town ROS MPU 300x250 (1357238) // created at: 25-May-07 PM 04:55-->

SUBS: Lloyd Ramsone, Justin Miller (60), Colin Miles (60), Robin Hulbert, Paul Harsley (72), Joe Cardle (82), Danny Glover, Callum Willock (74).

 

Shrewsbury ended their pre-season campaign with a last gasp, confidence boosting win, a week before the opening League Two game at Lincoln. Dave Hibbert headed in the winner, in stoppage time, as Town rode their luck to claim a win at Vale Park.
Town made three changes, with trialist Darren Campion, who turned down a two year deal at Birmingham City, in for the injured Neil Ashton. Kelvin Langmead returned with Colin Murdoch dropping to the bench. Ben Herd was also named as a substitute, with Chris Humphrey back in the starting XI.

Vale started the brighter of the teams, and created the bulk of the early chances, with Garner pulling off three fine saves in the opening 20 minutes. Former Town striker Luke Rodgers nearly drew first blood, but his well struck volley was brilliantly parried away, with the ball looking destined for the bottom corner. Garner also twice denied Rodgers' strike partner Akpo Sodje, first from a blistering 25 yard drive, and then a header from point blank range. Danny Whittaker also tried his luck from 12 yards, but the shot lacked power and it was a comfortable stop for the Town keeper. At the other end, Town looked sluggish going forward and struggled to create clear cut chances. Michael Symes had the visitors' first effort on goal, but it was high and wide, and no trouble for Vale 'keeper Joe Anyon. Town's best chance fell to skipper Stewart Drummond, but he sent his header well over from eight yards after a corner. It was Vale who continued to call the tune after that, with the impressive and brave Garner denying Whittaker at his feet. And on the stroke of half time, the Welshman pulled off a fine double save, first blocking Jason Talbot's fierce shot, and then tipping over a header from the tricky Rodgers, who caused his former side's defence no end of problems.

Town made four changes at half time, with Michael Symes, Chris Humphrey, Danny Hall and Darren Kempson going off. Colin Murdoch, Ben Herd, Jimmy Ryan and Dave Hibbert came on. Vale brought on former Town midfielder Robin Hulbert for Paul Edwards. The changes seemed to do the trick early on as Town's tempo improved. Darren Campian had a decent claim for a penalty when he appeared to be sent tumbling in the area, but ref Woolmer waved away minimal protests from the Town players. Rodgers then nearly found the net, but the ball skimmed off his head, and sailed a yard over the bar.

Town looked livelier going forward and Herd's low ball in from the right found Cooke, who didn't connect cleanly with the ball from 12 yards and Vale cleared the danger. Vale still looked dangerous going forward, and Whittaker scooped a 25 yard effort towards goal, which sailed just over Garner's cross-bar. But it was Garner who once again came to the rescue midway through the second half with the dangerous Sodje denied by Garner's fingertips as Town's defence lived on the edge. Rodgers then missed a guilt edged chance, heading over unmarked from eight yards. Town could have stolen it with ten minutes remaining, but Drummond headed wastefully over after Steve Leslie swung in an inviting left wing cross. The same player then saw a header well saved by Anyon in Town's best chance of the game. Ryan's well struck 30 yard free kick was also well stopped, as Shrewsbury finished strongly. And that pressure finally paid off, as Ryan's cross from the right was headed in by former Vale striker Hibbert from six yards in stoppage time.

Town rode their luck at times and were thankful to some fine saves by Garner. The home team could and should have put Town out of sight in the first half. But Town improved after the break, and in a strong finish, Hibbert's goal was enough to secure a moral boosting win ahead of next week's opener at Lincoln.



things are looking up for the new season

gings2007-08-07 23:37:30
First Team Squad
5
·
1.1K
·
almost 17 years
Vale are pacing themselves this season. 
First Team Squad
13
·
1.7K
·
almost 17 years
so are the shrews...we paced ourselves against Man City (2 late goals cost us) and then, well...the results so far says it all 

You’ll need an account to join the conversation!

Sign in Sign up