Club News
Match Report | Shrewsbury 0-2 Cheltenham
Shrewsbury Town fell to a 2-0 home defeat to Cheltenham Town.
A cagey first half ended goalless with Tommy McDermott and Iwan Morgan both coming close to breaking the deadlock.
However, second half goals from Jordan Thomas and Sam Sherring condemned Town to a loss at the Croud Meadow.
Team news:
Head coach Gavin Cowan kept to the 3-4-3 system that brought the three points back from Chesterfield last Saturday.
February’s Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month opted to make one change to the starting line-up as Taylor Perry replaced Nick Freeman, who dropped to the bench.
The only other change came in the form of Will Gray coming onto the substitutes bench in place of Isaac England.
Visiting boss Steve Cotterill altered his formation following their most recent draw – moving to a 4-1-4-1.
Sherring came into the line-up for Arkell Jude-Boyd at right-back, with the away side sporting an unchanged side otherwise.
Report:
McDermott created a golden chance for himself in the opening three minutes.
He won a 50/50 challenge against James Wilson before curling the ball agonisingly wide of the post.
The away side immediately responded with an attempt of their own; Isaac Hutchinson’s half-volley was easily caught by Matthew Cox.
Shrewsbury were awarded a free-kick in a good position in the 17th minute after McDermott was brought down 25-yards from goal.
Morgan stood over the set-piece and fired an effort that cannoned off the woodwork and out for a goal kick.
Robbie Cundy and Luke Young found themselves in the referee’s book either side of the free-kick with Perry receiving Salop’s only yellow card of the first half.
Both sides struggled to test either goalkeeper with the defences coming out on top in the opening 45 minutes.
The last chance before the break fell to Hutchinson with his shot from the edge of the area rising over the crossbar.
From the re-start, the hosts began with the better tempo.
Kevin Berkoe and Will Boyle had early half chances but failed to trouble Joe Day in the Cheltenham goal.
On the hour mark, Shrewsbury made the first change of the game as Mal Benning replaced Tom Anderson.
Two minutes later, the visitors took the lead through Thomas.
The ball fell for the winger on the edge of the area, and he swept his effort into the far corner from the edge of the box.
Cheltenham added a second goal in the 70th minute when Young’s corner was diverted into the back of the net by Sherring.
Substitute Nick Freeman came close to pulling a goal back in added time with a volley that whistled inches wide of the post.
It is a quick turnaround for Shrewsbury as they travel to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.
Shrewsbury Town: Cox (GK), Anderson (Benning 60), Stubbs, Boyle ©, Kabia, Sang, Perry (Freeman 77), Berkoe, McDermott (Lloyd 64), Ogunsuyi, Morgan (Scully 77).
Subs not used: Brook, Lee, Gray.
Cheltenham Town: Day (GK), Sherring, Cundy, Wilson ©, Tomkinson, Stevenson (Ashfield 77), Thomas (Jude-Boyd 80), Young, Hutchinson (Deeming 84), Bickerstaff (Broom 84), Davison (Miller 83).
Subs not used: Nurse, Diallo.
Attendance: 5,786 (415 away)
