Stafford Town FC vs Shawbury United
5 - 1
12 December 2020 · North West Counties<br>South
Home friendly match played on 12 December 2020.
Kicked off at 3:00 PM
5-1
vs Shawbury United
Home friendly match
Town welcomed Shawbury United from the WMRL Premier Division for a friendly fixture that both sides needed in anticipation of their respective league campaign restarts in a weeks time.
Steve and Dom welcomed this opportunity to give recent signings Josh Wilson (yes we have two now) and Henry Smith some game time with the squad as well as trialist centre half Chris Anderson. All three were extremely impressive throughout and bring guile and quality to a steadily improving side.
It was Josh Wilson that opened the scoring in the eleventh minute arriving at the back post for a tap in from the squared pass of the industrious Kyle Ashman who'd driven in from the right wing with conviction.
Ten minutes later and Kyle Wainwright was in the right place to side foot home the second. The front two were changed on the half hour mark as well as joint manager Dom Heath coming on in midfield. The hosts enjoyed long spells of possession and showed patience in the build up with Shawbury remaining compact and organised. The visiting young goalkeeper turned in several top class saves to keep the hosts at bay until the 66th minute when the ageless Heath cut the ball back from the right hand touchline and fired into the far corner with his left foot for 3-0.
Fifteen minutes later and he was at it again this time with a simpler tap in for 4-0. Kyle Wainwright then matched the gaffer by banging his second, this time from the edge of the box. It was struck well but the keeper will be disappointed it went under him and found the back of the net for 5-0 on 83 mins.
Shawbury never stopped grafting and scored themselves in the 88th minute when Town lost concentration for the first and only time. A corner was swung in and initially dealt with but the tall no.6 wasn't tracked as the second ball was delivered and he side footed home to see the game end 5-1.
A very encouraging performance from a Town perspective who now host Sikh Hunters in a final friendly ahead of the anticipated league restart next Saturday 19th Dec. Spectators are permitted by prior arrangement.
The best of the action can be found on our YouTube channel here:
https://youtu.be/9p85bh6rDP4