Post by Mark on Mar 14, 2006 20:04:02 GMT
Well what a week it has been, 3 games over 800 miles and 7 points, I’m sure we all would have taken that this time last week as Peterborough’s penalty hit the back of the net last week. In that game we showed a lot of determination and fight, traits that have been hallmarks of Shrewsbury Town sides over the years. In recent times this determination and togetherness has been lacking, but since the arrival of GP we have seen a new dawn and if the last 7 days are anything to go by then the future does look good for us.
The two away trips during the last week have been unforgettable and respect to the Town fans that made either, or both like myself and TMS partner Skally. Meeting in the Crown for a pre-coach beer on Valentines Day we chatted about our hopes for the two games. Could we pull off the unexpected and get two away wins? Neither of us really thought that we would get six points from the two games, but we came mighty close!
After arriving in Carlisle we were greeted with the news that Town secretary John Howarth would be giving us some complimentary tickets. This was confirmed to me on wed night by Richard Hope that they were in fact tickets for the player’s family and friends that the team had given to the fans. Did they not fancy the long trip or what lads?!
The Town side had a rather unfamiliar feel to it with GP sticking his neck out by playing Steve Hogg alongside the beardless Neil Sorvel in midfield and naming two scholars in the 16. It was soon ‘game on’ and what a night it proved to be. Driving rain on an away terrace with no roof, the Glasgow Shrews who looked to have had a few bevies to say the least, a red card, a penalty save this game really did have the lot. After celebrating Town’s second goal by bumping into the ‘hot kittys’ dad and watching Skally drop his keys and his pack of playing cards on the floor I really thought we could hold out for the win. In the end a poor refereeing decision cost us the services of Ben Heard and the lads were really up against it with ten men. Richard Hope lead the shattered troops over to the wet but jubilant away end at the end where we applauded their total commitment, I for one was still gutted for the lads though as we deserved to win. Speaking of Hopey, what a legend this man is turning into. A deserved captain, he marshalled the team from start to finish and if he continues to develop alongside Burton we should have a solid defence come next season.
Four days later and another early start saw us back on the coach for the trip to Darlington’s impressive but rather empty version of Middlesbrough’s ‘Riverside’. Again we managed to get a bargain after spotting an article on Shrewsweb regarding ‘early bird’ tickets; I subsequently rang and after a few problems with the language barrier managed to get us some tickets to pick up on arrival!
After a few pre-match pints we set about finding a seat and with about 3,000 to choose from we did not have much of a problem! Almost as soon as the match had kicked off the stewards we on at us, “sit down now lads”, “feet of the chairs”, I remember they were exactly the same last year, relax lads the ability to wear a fluorescent jacket does not give you the instant authority to be a ‘hard nut’
The game itself was not as exciting as the Carlisle one but Town went about their duty defending from the front and Joe Hart catching everything that was thrown at him. Many will vote him MOTM for his last gasp save which gave Town the 3 points, but each and every player deserved credit out there, none more so than Mark Stallard. Stallers has had a fair bit of stick thrown at him during his time here but this man was superb on Saturday, and for those of you who were not there I suggest you get a copy of the game before you think about slating him again. He held the ball up well, brought the midfield into the game and linked up with McMenamin and Langmead with some super balls. I was gutted for him that his shot hit the bar as his performance deserved a goal, but at least he can claim an assist as McMenamin scored from the rebound.
Life is never easily following the Town on the road and we escaped some nervous moments towards the end but we hung on for a deserved victory. The sight at the end was tremendous, Town fans going mental and the players lapping it up.
We desperately need to build on this fantastic week, I think its too early to talk about the play-off’s and I would certainly be happy with a top half finish and then look to build again next season. We need to hit the 50 point mark that GP talks about as soon as possible and then we can really see where this season may take us.
It’s been a long and exciting week being a Town fan, more of the same please lads!
Enjoy the game,
Up the Town!
Mark Fielden
www.themightyshrew.co.uk
The two away trips during the last week have been unforgettable and respect to the Town fans that made either, or both like myself and TMS partner Skally. Meeting in the Crown for a pre-coach beer on Valentines Day we chatted about our hopes for the two games. Could we pull off the unexpected and get two away wins? Neither of us really thought that we would get six points from the two games, but we came mighty close!
After arriving in Carlisle we were greeted with the news that Town secretary John Howarth would be giving us some complimentary tickets. This was confirmed to me on wed night by Richard Hope that they were in fact tickets for the player’s family and friends that the team had given to the fans. Did they not fancy the long trip or what lads?!
The Town side had a rather unfamiliar feel to it with GP sticking his neck out by playing Steve Hogg alongside the beardless Neil Sorvel in midfield and naming two scholars in the 16. It was soon ‘game on’ and what a night it proved to be. Driving rain on an away terrace with no roof, the Glasgow Shrews who looked to have had a few bevies to say the least, a red card, a penalty save this game really did have the lot. After celebrating Town’s second goal by bumping into the ‘hot kittys’ dad and watching Skally drop his keys and his pack of playing cards on the floor I really thought we could hold out for the win. In the end a poor refereeing decision cost us the services of Ben Heard and the lads were really up against it with ten men. Richard Hope lead the shattered troops over to the wet but jubilant away end at the end where we applauded their total commitment, I for one was still gutted for the lads though as we deserved to win. Speaking of Hopey, what a legend this man is turning into. A deserved captain, he marshalled the team from start to finish and if he continues to develop alongside Burton we should have a solid defence come next season.
Four days later and another early start saw us back on the coach for the trip to Darlington’s impressive but rather empty version of Middlesbrough’s ‘Riverside’. Again we managed to get a bargain after spotting an article on Shrewsweb regarding ‘early bird’ tickets; I subsequently rang and after a few problems with the language barrier managed to get us some tickets to pick up on arrival!
After a few pre-match pints we set about finding a seat and with about 3,000 to choose from we did not have much of a problem! Almost as soon as the match had kicked off the stewards we on at us, “sit down now lads”, “feet of the chairs”, I remember they were exactly the same last year, relax lads the ability to wear a fluorescent jacket does not give you the instant authority to be a ‘hard nut’
The game itself was not as exciting as the Carlisle one but Town went about their duty defending from the front and Joe Hart catching everything that was thrown at him. Many will vote him MOTM for his last gasp save which gave Town the 3 points, but each and every player deserved credit out there, none more so than Mark Stallard. Stallers has had a fair bit of stick thrown at him during his time here but this man was superb on Saturday, and for those of you who were not there I suggest you get a copy of the game before you think about slating him again. He held the ball up well, brought the midfield into the game and linked up with McMenamin and Langmead with some super balls. I was gutted for him that his shot hit the bar as his performance deserved a goal, but at least he can claim an assist as McMenamin scored from the rebound.
Life is never easily following the Town on the road and we escaped some nervous moments towards the end but we hung on for a deserved victory. The sight at the end was tremendous, Town fans going mental and the players lapping it up.
We desperately need to build on this fantastic week, I think its too early to talk about the play-off’s and I would certainly be happy with a top half finish and then look to build again next season. We need to hit the 50 point mark that GP talks about as soon as possible and then we can really see where this season may take us.
It’s been a long and exciting week being a Town fan, more of the same please lads!
Enjoy the game,
Up the Town!
Mark Fielden
www.themightyshrew.co.uk