Boys' 1st XI v Shrewsbury

Date: Saturday 5th December

Venue: Home. 2.15pm kick-off on The Square.

Team: Jones, Fearn, Golding, Sanderson, Evans, Rees-Jones, Byas, Graham, Duggan (C), Chilaka, Mullen

Subs: Gorman, Moxham

Result: Repton 2-2 Shrewsbury

Match Report:

Matches between Repton and Shrewsbury are usually hard fought affairs. So, in this particular year with both sides having reached the semi-final stage of the Boodles ISFA Cup the match was always going to be tighter than ever. The first fifteen minutes were relatively even with both sides quick to close down the opposition and the majority of the play in the middle third of the field. Both defences looked organised and solid, it quickly becoming clear that it would take a piece of quality (or an error) to breach the defences. The first piece of quality came from Repton. Chilaka broke down the flank to beat the onrushing goalkeeper to the ball. As he looked to lift the cross into the unguarded area the 'keeper handled outside of the box. This was a little galling, perhaps, as it would have resulted in a reasonable headed chance in a game which had, thus far, offered very few. However, the reward was to follow as a wonderfully flighted free-kick from Sam Graham found the head of Huw REES-JONES. From this point Shrewsbury took control of the half with their lively left winger coming more into the game. The resulting pressure on the Repton goal forced several corner kicks and a combination of an innovative kick and some sloppy defending saw them level. It was no more than they deserved and despite being 1-1 at half-time I had them slightly on top. That said, neither side had really peppered the opposition 'keeper.

The second half was equally well-contested, although I felt we slightly shaded it in terms of goal opportunities. Chilaka made two wonderful breaks, one resulting in a cross that Gorman just failed to tap in and the other in a wild shot when a pull-buck would have surely seen the score move to 2-1. However, it was Shrewsbury who took the lead after a penalty was awarded for what could have been construed as excellent defensive work. As ever, the only opinion that matters is that of the referee and he disagreed. On the positive side this really sparked Repton back into life and ushered in our best period of the game. Our work rate seemed to lift and the play was finding itself, quite regularly, in the Shrewsbury third. The pressure forced a corner with another superb delivery being met perfectly by Andy EVANS who powered home the equalizer. The drama wasn't finished as Luke Duggan cut inside and beat three players before hitting a wonderful dipping 25 yard shot; it didn't quite dip enough as it cannoned off the bar.

Overall, a classic Repton-Shrewsbury encounter with a draw being about right and certainly enough to send both sides home reasonably happy.