STOURPORT SWIFTS 0 SHIFNAL TOWN 1
Midland Football League, Premier Division
Tuesday 4 October 2022
A much-improved performance by Shifnal against the side sitting second in the league before this game saw them move up to third place, thanks to a late winner. Most of the first 45 minutes was played in the middle part of the field, with neither keeper having a shot to save. Joe Thompson came the closest to breaking the deadlock for the visitors after 23 minutes, when he picked up a clearance, then beat two defenders before firing into the side-netting from an angle. Moments before the half-time whistle, Swifts were awarded a free-kick wide on the right, and Martin Slevin almost surprised Sheridan Martinez as he whipped the ball goalwards, but the keeper was able to punch clear.
The second period was quite even, with play swinging from end to end, but there was much more goalmouth action. Jim Hanson for the hosts curled a 25-yard shot a yard wide in the 54th minute, and a minute later at the other end, Keanu Cooper headed the ball down for Tom Hill, whose 20-yard effort was too close to Josh Bishop. A minute further on, Swifts should have taken the lead when a good move left Jack Bailey in space, but he shot wide from just outside the penalty area. Tyrone Ofori cut in from the Town right after 62 minutes, but former Shifnal player Ben Jevons made a fine last-ditch tackle to prevent a goal. Jim Hanson had a chance for the home side 3 minutes later, when a Town throw-in fell to him, but he shot wide from 20 yards. Bishop made his first save of the night on 69 minutes following a quick break. Hill crossed the ball from the right for Ofori, whose first pass was blocked, but Jeremy Abbey’s 20-yard effort was well saved by the keeper. At the other end, Martinez was beaten by a fierce 25-yard shot by Carl Martin, but fortunately for the visitors, the ball came back off the inside of the far post. Swifts again looked dangerous in the 84th minute when Ben Tilbury played the ball inside for Cain Smith, who swivelled and shot narrowly wide from 15 yards. The only goal of the game came on 88 minutes, and was a goal worthy of winning any game! Substitute Lewis Jarman laid the ball off for HILL, who turned inside and let fly a low left-footed shot from 20 yards which nestled inside the far post out of Bishop’s reach.
SWIFTS: Josh Bishop, Ethan Hanson (Carl Martin H-T), Matty Jackson, Jim Hanson, Ben Jevons, Aaron Birch, Nathan Binner (Ronan Sheehan H-T), Martin Slevin, Johnny Johnstone (Jack Bailey H-T), Ben Tilbury, Cain Smith.
Subs not used: Joe Hanson; Mark Danks.
Caution: Birch (71mins).
SHIFNAL: Sheridan Martinez, Josh Green, Kane Lewis, Ashley Brown, Jack Kelly, Emem Jones, Keanu Cooper (Sean Jones 90mins), Joe Thompson (Lewis Jarman 82mins), Tom Hill, Tyrone Ofori (Max Chimenes 85mins), Jeremy Abbey.
Subs not used: Harvey Lewis; Mikey Nelson.
Caution: Kane Lewis (37mins).
Attendance: 118.
Referee: Owen Moreton.
Assistant referees: Rosie Johns.
Darren Smith.
Shifnal Star Man: Emem Jones.
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