MROCT

Shawbury were out of league action on Saturday & played Wem Town in the first round of the Shropshire County Challenge Cup.

Shawbury always knew this was going to be a tricky tie as Wem who groundshare with Shawbury are currently riding high in their respective
league the Shropshire County Premier Division.

Shawbury made most of the early running and dominated early on but Wem stood firm and limited Shawbury to a few chances with some tame
shots. But midway through the first half Tom Rogers broke down the right and then cut the ball back across goal for Andy Reeve to score from
close range.

Shawbury should of extended the lead through Tom Rogers & Andy Reeve but the Wem keeper made a couple of fine saves to keep the score
down. Wem could of levelled just before half time but Shawbury keeper Colin Smith pulled off an excellent save to deny the Wem forward who
should of scored with his point blank header a couple of yards out.

The second half was much the same as Shawbury dominated play but just could'nt add to the one goal advantage from the first half. But as the
game came close to full time a penalty was awarded to Shawbury when a Wem defender seemed to punched the ball in the penalty box, Steve
Handley converted the penalty to put the tie out of reach of Wem who gave a good account of themselves & put Shawbury into the next round.

Shawbury are back to 2nd in the league after a 1-0 win away to Brierley & Hagley Alliance at the sports ground.

With a much changed side due to several key players unavailable Shawbury started brightly and carved out a few openings as both Jez
Harman & Steve Giles both went close with Harman unlucky with a lob over the keeper and a Giles firing just wide of the post.

Giles then with just the keeper to beat decided to pull the ball back across goal for Harman to tap in but somehow

fired the ball into the side netting, 0-0 half time.

Shawbury never looked like losing and could of stepped it up another gear if required were then awarded a penalty early in the second half after
Giles headed the ball back to Harman who was then upended in the box by a Brierley defender

Dave Timms stepped up and converted the spot kick with ease which concluded to be the winning goal 1-0.

Shawbury United cruised into the semi-final of the Powell Charity Cup Competition as they swept aside Ellesmere Rangers who now play in
the West Midland league division 2.

Shawbury straight from the kick took the game to Ellesmere who quickly found out that the pace of the game was a bit much for some of
them as Rogers & Leonard dragged the Ellesmere defence everywhere.

Shawbury took the lead midway through the first half as Tom Rogers layed the ball across goal to Tom Ward who then turned his marker
and rifled the ball into the net.

Craig Sanders was the provider of the next goal when his cross from the right was met powerfully by the head of Darren Leonard to make it
2-0 giving the keeper no chance.

Ellesmere had little to offer & could not cope with the aerial presence of Ward & Leonard who did not lose a ball in the air all game and were
lucky to keep the score line down as Rogers & Humphries both went close several times only for the visiting keeper to pull off some fine
saves.

Shawbury now face Shropshire County Premier opposition Meole Brace in the semi final to be played 04/04/05.

Shawbury's game against Wednesfield was always going to be a tough test even though they are in the lower reaches of the league table.

Wednesfield battled hard to try and stop Shawbury playing the usual type of football that they are now used to, and with the poor weather
conditions of rain and fog the game became a bit dour with chances few and far between.

Shawbury started the second half brightly and a Tom Ward shot early on was deflected to the feet of Steve Giles who tapped in from close range.
Wednesfield worked hard but never tested the Shawbury keeper in the game but they got an equaliser when Steve Handley got his toe to the ball
which was driven at Colin Smith at pace in goal, only for it to deflect off his chest & into the back of the net to make it 1-1.

Tom Rogers then got in on the act as he came on as sub and scored the winner with around 10 minutes remaining after Steve Giles put a
Wednesfield defender under pressure who then passed back to his keeper but Rogers nipped in and scored from close range to make the final
score 2-1.

Shawbury close the gap on leaders Tipton Town to just 5 points and are now handily placed in second position of the West Midland Regional Premier
League.

Shawbury put in a good solid team performance when they travelled away to Dudley Town on Tuesday evening.

Darren Leonard opened the scoring with a bullet header from an Andy Reeve corner early in the first half . And chances continued to come with Tom
Rogers going close with a couple of snap shots, but he kept his cool as Steve Giles set up Rogers with a through ball who with just the keeper to
beat slid the ball home to double the lead.

Rogers completed his brace when he fired home from the edge of the box midway through the second half to coplete a fine night for Shawbury.

The back four defended really well and kept Dudley at bay giving Colin Smith in goal plenty of cover and the team was

pleased to keep a clean sheet.

Shawbury's eagerly awaited local derby against Market Drayton Town proved to be a very disappointing afternoon as
Shawbury produced an extremely poor performance against our fellow league high fliers.

Market Drayton took the lead midway through the first half when a looping shot from Mark Evans went straight over the head
of Shawbury keeper Colin Smith into the back of the net. Shawbury levelled soon after as Steve Giles was brought down in
the box and Steve Handley scored from the spot kick.

But straight from the kick off Market Drayton were awarded a freekick, the ball was put in the box and converted with ease
from close range.

Market Drayton added to Shawbury's misery in the second half as they were unable to clear another freekick which was
headed home from close range.

Hopefully Shawbury can put this poor display as a one off and push on from here.