O'Kelly's men denied late on in thrilling draw...
SHREWSBURY TOWN held the Saddlers to a thrilling 3-3 draw despite Richard O’Kelly’s men taking the lead three times in the Final Third Development League's West Division fixture.
A Reece Flanagan strike sandwiched between a Jordan Cook brace weren’t enough as the Shrews managed to hit back late on to earn a point.
The Saddlers raced out the traps with Jordan Cook firing wide of the post having been played through early on.
Minutes later, Reece Flanagan’s miscued effort nearly found a way past Mark Halstead in the Shrews goal, only to see the Goalkeeper back-peddle quick enough to turn the ball over the bar.
Our early pressure was rewarded after a quarter of an hour. James Baxendale scuttled into the penalty area and was tripped by Roberts to earn Richard O’Kelly’s men a penalty.
Cook dispatched with aplomb, firing low into the bottom corner to give the Saddlers the breakthrough. The lead didn’t last long though as Whalley volleyed up and over Craig MacGillivray five minutes later to draw the hosts level.
The game produced chances for both sides with Baxendale blazing over whilst McAlinden’s effort was cleared off the line after Whalley raced clear of the Saddlers defence.
Youngster Korey Roberts was having some success down the right and it was the teenagers cut back that lead to our second of the afternoon.
Five minutes before the break, Roberts drilled a ball across goal which eventually fell to Reece Flanagan who’s cultured finish found the top corner.
It was very nearly three moments later. Murphy’s fierce effort tipped away by Halstead on the stroke of half time.
HALF-TIME: Shrewsbury Town 1-2 Walsall
O’Kelly’s men started the second period as they did the first. Chances falling to Jordan Murphy who saw his low drive turned away and Matt Preston who should have converted a Liam Kinsella set piece.
The visitors were made to pay for our missed chances when on the hour mark, conceding a scruffy goal.
Vernon’s headed crashed off the upright, rebounding back off the attacker and crossing the line after some deliberation from the referee.
The Saddlers responded well and with just 15 minutes left to play Cook helped himself to his second of the game. Halstead denied a fantastic effort from Anthony Forde but Cook was on hand to tap home from close range.
minute Shrewsbury evened the score line for the third time in the game.thIt looked as if we had seen the last of the action but in the 90
Caton was put through on goal and despite a fine save from Craig MacGillivray, the rebound fell straight into the path of the Shrews forward who rolled the ball into the unguarded goal.
FULL-TIME: Shrewsbury Town 3-3 Walsall
WALSALL LINE-UP: Craig MacGillivray (GK); Korey Roberts (Callum Cockerill-Mollet, 81), Lee Naylor, Liam Kinsella, Matt Preston, Raekwon Smith, Anthony Forde, Reece Flanagan (Jordan Sangha, 62), Jordan Cook, James Baxendale, Jordan Murphy (Mazir Kouhyar, 67).
UNUSED SUBS: Liam Roberts (GK).