Shropshire County League
Premier Division
Friday 8th September 2023
Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.29
Shrewsbury Up & Comers 2 Church Stretton Town 1, attendance 115
6’ 1-0
13’ 2-0
61’ 2-1
@ Shrewsbury College of Arts & Technology Athletics Track Pitch
London Road
Shrewsbury
SY2 6PR
£1 Admission
No Programme.
I had seen games on two different grass pitches here at London Road, in totally separate sections of the sports ground, some twenty six years apart, the last of which was back in April, when I also saw a Shrewsbury Up & Comers home game, having seen Shrewsbury Town U18s first time round. With tonight’s game scheduled to take place on the pitch inside the running track, it was an opportunity for visit number three.
There is slightly raised grass banking on the entrance side, where the majority of the crowd watched from, with the pitch roped along this side. There were even some who watched from outside, viewing through the mesh fencing, rather than give the club a measly quid admission money. Refreshments were served from a table, selling cold drinks, sweets and crisps, whilst both teams substitutes/coaches occupied plastic bench seating on the far side.
The match was 3rd versus 9th in the league table, Shrewsbury having won five of their opening seven games, whilst Church Stretton had only played five, winning three and losing the other two. Shrewsbury took the lead after just six minutes, cutting in from the left before beating the ‘keeper at his near post. Seven minutes later they doubled their lead when an angled shot went in off the far post. It looked like it might turn into a real thrashing as they piled on the pressure, but Church Stretton finally settled into it. They did pull a goal back just after the hour mark, but never really had enough to get an equaliser.
It was very hot, so there was a drinks break in each half. The floodlights came on about five minutes before halftime and without them the game would have had no chance of finishing as it was dark well before the end. At least I’ve only got one pitch to complete the set here at London Road now. As it’s the 3G cage that’s left, it might never happen.
