Tividale 3 Shrewsbury DC 1
Report by Paul Rock
Today we welcomed Shrewsbury DC on an overcast morning. The drizzle in the air made the surface slick and with no wind it was perfect conditions for football.
Tividale kicked off and both teams battled hard to get on top but it was the home team that created the first real chance on 4 minutes when Samuel Okoka shot wide after a good through ball from Kiernan Ferry. Shrewsbury were finding it difficult to break down an organised Tividale and Elliot Farley, Ethan Mundon and Eddie Whatmore were giving nothing away at the back. Samuel again went close on 10 minutes after another good pass from Kiernan and on 15 minutes Eddie wasn’t far away when his free kick just cleared the crossbar. Tividale looked the most likely to score and on 17 minutes a mix up between a Shrewsbury defender and the goalkeeper was pounced on by Samuel and he kept his nerve to finish and give Tividale a deserved lead.
Tividale’s first real scare came on 25 minutes when a defensive error let in the DC striker but he pulled his shot wide. Alex Johnson in particular was causing Shrewsbury problems down the right and after a couple of half chances he put Tividale 2-0 up on 29 minutes. The hard working Jack Mills gained possession just inside the half and played a great pass into Alex who showed good pace and skill before smashing his shot past the helpless Shrewsbury keeper. We expected to go into the break with a 2 goal lead but like last week we once again conceded straight after kick-off. A defensive mix up let in the Shrewsbury striker who finished well to put them back in the game.
H-T: Tividale 2-1 Shrewsbury DC.
Tividale started the 2nd half well and Alex went close after yet another strong run but the keeper showed great bravery and got down well to save at his feet. The game was tight and evenly balanced now and Shane Willets made a fantastic save on 48 minutes to deny DC a leveller. With both teams playing good football you always felt the next goal would be crucial and thankfully that goal went to Tividale on 54 minutes. An out-swinging corner from Kiernan was met by Ashley Rock who rose highest to powerfully header home and guarantee the 3 points.
Tividale are unbeaten and find themselves joint top of the league after 3 games played. Well done boys!
