FANS ON THE ROAD
Shrewsbury made the trip down south to a Stevenage team who were performing well above expectations in league 2 this season, currently occupying a place just outside of the play offs. This was going to be a test of character for Town after the late heartbreak of Southampton the previous week, could they pick themselves up from it. Journey down was very interesting for me and my companions Kat, Emma and Sam. I used my I-Phone map to guide us to Stevenage; we did take a big detour through the countryside, through a place called Hitchen, had a fall out with a couple of rowdy cyclists, but got to the Lamex Stadium in good time. The ground had a non league feel to it, mind you the stand where we were in was the nicest in the whole ground. They had a decent little supporters bar behind the away end which was nice, served hot food but the beer was very flat! The food inside the ground was decent; I had a sausage and egg baguette, which was massive. The view from the stand behind the goal was good as well. The teams were announced with Graham Turner sticking with the same team that came so close to upsetting Southampton the week before. One thing I didn’t know was Matt Harrold had turned down Stevenage in the summer to join us, even though he was on the bench he was chomping at the bit to get on. Towns’ following was
a decent size; a final figure of 306 fans was an impressive amount considering Town had endured a couple of long distances beforehand. The game kicked off with Town shooting towards the home supporters. The pitch was very small and narrow and would be very difficult to play with wingers. Stevenage were right up for the game, and they were clearly giving Town some problems early on. Stevenage took an early lead from a free kick. The ball was drilled through the wall through to Neal who found it to hot to handle, and Chris Holroyd was there to tap it in to give Stevenage a deserved lead. Town were really struggling to get into the game, Stevenage were not giving Town any space at all. Town’s best chance from the first half came from Jake Robinson who ran through the defence to drill it low but well wide of the goal. The referee blew the whistle for half time with Town really struggling to get a hold of the game. Turner made two changes at half time with both
Benjamin Van Den Broek and Matt Harrold coming on for both Robinson and Obadeyi. And immediately Town were starting to get into the game with big Matt Harrold and the lively Van Den Broek putting themselves about a bit. And then the equalising goal came. Sean McAllister took the free kick quickly which sent McIntyre away who took it to the by-line; he squared it across goal for a tap in for Harrold. A huge sense of relief came from the away end, game on!! Town were trying to control the game second half, but in fairness to Stevenage, who are a very big team with players who should be gracing rugby union, they were more than a match for Salop. The last effort of the game came from Town with Mark Wright drilling his shot low and wide of Day’s far post. The ref blew the full time whistle, a big point for Town, which sent them up to third in the league 2 tables. Supporters will forget the game itself but will look back at this as a very big point earned. Tonight is a big game, a local derby, so make some noise for the boys!!!! Come on you Blues.
SEAN EVANS SHREWSBURY to LONDON - just £40 Return Travel 59
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