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The morning began on a sombre note with a minute's silence observed in memory of Alex MacDonald's mother. Some people on the touchline took the opportunity to remember Adam Blacklaw too following the poor method chosen by the club during the Stoke game.
The first chance of the game fell to the visitors and it took two of our outgoing 2nd years to thwart it. A clever ball through our back line saw the 10 break free but his attempts to hit home were blocked by a perfectly timed tackle from Jake McEneaney. The ball bobbled loose to the Shrewsbury 9 but his shot was tipped wide by the stretching Danny McDonald in goal.
The match was being played in the middle of the park with Shrewsbury giving no quarter and us unable to break down their organised set up. Our first chance fell to Joe Jackson on the half hour mark but his effort was saved at the near post by their keeper. We also put together a couple of good moves ending with tantalising crosses swinging into the box but no-one could capitalise.
The second half started slow and from a corner the visitors took the lead. A left wing corner was swung in and the rangy number 8 rose unmarked to thump a header home. We almost managed an instant reply as a free kick was won just under 30 yards from goal. Joe McKee lined it up and struck it beautifully. We were convinced it was going in but somehow the keeper got a hand to it and tipped it over.
We made a change with Ross Wilson coming on in place of T.Taylor and for the next ten minutes the Shrewsbury goal was under siege. King had a shot from the corner of the box beaten out by the keeper, a goalbound McKee shot hit Dom Knowles on the heel and Knowles himself had a header deflected over by a covering defender when the keeper was off his line. Knowles then saw another effort saved by the keeper who was having an inspired game.
Another substitution was made with James Taylor replacing Jackson and moving out wide, with Wilson shifting up top. It wasn't long before we got our reward. A Wilson cross to the far post was headed back by J.Taylor, taking the keeper out of play, and allowing McKee to ghost in and glance home a header.
We then had a penalty appeal turned down when King was chopped at the left corner of the box. We seemed to be guilty of trying to walk the ball in and just couldn't provide a final killer ball. In the end it was just a little too much for us and we ran out of time with the score at 1-1.
So it's that time of year again which is always bittersweet for regular watchers of the lads down Gawthorpe. It's not a time during which I envy anyone involved. For the two lads who have been offered deals, congratulations! I hope you make it to the 1st team and are successful for Burnley and beyond. For the four who missed out I seriously believe there is potential for professional footballers in you and I hope you manage to stay in the game.
Team:- Danny McDonald, Curtis Woods, Jake McEneaney, Tom Anderson, Neil Yadolahi, Dave Lynch, Joe McKee, Michael King, Tommy Taylor (Ross Wilson), Joe Jackson (James Taylor), Dom Knowles.
Subs not used:- J Thewlis, Steve Edwards, Dean Overson.
