Shrewsbury Town begin their EFL Trophy campaign with defeat as their league rivals Crewe notch a late winner.
A drab contest played out in front a sparse Montgomery Waters Meadow. Neither side got to full grips with the contest, although Crewe were slightly on top.
It appeared that the match would be heading for a bore draw but Manchester City loanee Ben Knight popped up with the winning goal in stoppage time.
Steve Cotterill made nine changes from the side that recorded a first win of the season against Gillingham. Harry Burgoyne and David Davis were available as their suspensions do not count for EFL Trophy campaign.
Steve Cotterill took a watching brief from the stands on transfer deadline day. Perhaps he was working on some deals, but during the game it was revealed that former Town loanee Harry Chapman had headed on loan to Burton – a mighty blow for Shrewsbury fan who understandably remember his spell at the club fondly.
The game was a slower burner, although Crewe did look the most threatening early on. Oliver Finney put a dangerous ball into the box and whilst Griffiths managed to make contact it was insufficient to trouble Harry Burgoyne.
Then, the ball broke kindly for Lowrey outside the box – his fierce strike was clawed to safety by Harry Burgoyne. Crewe started to stamp their authority – McFadzean fizzed a cross/shot across the danger area which took a vital nick with Griffiths lurking inside the box. The resulting corner was powered over by Donavan Daniels.
Town were extremely poor during an insipid first half. Nathanael Ogbeta did cut the ball back for Charlie Caton, but Donavan Daniels produced a vital block to deny the youngster.
Crewe almost took the lead in bizarre circumstances. McFadzean’s mis-hit cross appeared to be heading for the top corner, but it drifted wide at the last moment.
The visitors started the second period brightly as Harry Burgoyne was called into action, whilst Griffiths’ header found the roof of the net.
Shrewsbury finally woke up from their attacking slumber. Shaun Whalley fed Ryan Bowman who laid off Josh Daniels. The Northern Irishman slipped at the vital moment and skewed his shot wide. Dave Richards was largely a spectator in the Crewe goal, but he was eventually worked. Leicester loanee Leshebela fed Ogbeta – he whipped a strike goalward and Richards palmed to safety. The resulting corner was met by Ethan Ebanks-Landell – Dave Richards unconvincingly dealt with the danger.
The Crewe goalkeeper’s blushes were spared when Richards struggled to deal with another set piece – the referee spotted a foul in the build up and Crewe escaped.
Despite a better second half period, it was Crewe who got a dramatic winner which was deserved on the balance of play. A raking pass was nodded down by Chris Porter and latched onto by Ben Knight – the youngster smashed the ball home from inside the box, much to the appreciation of the Crewe bench.
Shrewsbury visit Accrington in the league at the weekend, whilst Crewe’s next match is actually a repeat of this one on the 11th of September.
Attendance: 1,680
Line Ups
Shrewsbury Town
13. Burgoyne, 22. Daniels, 5. Pennington, 4. Ebanks-Landell, 14. Ogbeta, 24. Leshabela (88), 16. Davis, 15. Pyke (29), 19. Caton (84), 7. Whalley, 12. Bowman
Subs: 1. Marosi, 3. Leahy (84), 9. Cosgrove, 11. Udoh, 17. Bennett (88), 18. Bloxham, 23. Nurse (29)
Subs Not Used: 1. Marosi, 9. Cosgrove, 11. Udoh, 18. Bloxham
Crewe
31. Richards, 2. Ramsay, 21. Daniels, 23. Johnson, 11. Ainley, 35. Robertson, 8. Lowrey, 15. McFadzean, 18. Griffiths (82), 14. Finney (61), 9. Porter
Subs: 10. Knight (61), 12. Mandron (82), 20. Lundstrum, 24. Onyeka, 26. Robbins, 27. Booth, 29. O’Riordan
Subs Not Used: 20. Lundstrum, 24. Onyeka, 26. Robbins, 27. Boot
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