Corsham Print
Wiltshire Senior League
Shrewton open with a win as Ludgershall  make them work hard for the 3 points

Ludgershall Sports before tonight's game against Shrewton United

Shrewton United started their season on Tuesday night when they hosted a Ludgershall Sports side looking to bounce back from a heavy opening day defeat at Wroughton. Both sides created half chances early on and the deadlock was broken after just 10 minutes when Jake Watson fired in a powerful low shot from outside the box to beat Ludgershall keeper Jeff Bannister. Ludgershall then went close themselves when Stuart Evans took on a couple of Shrewton defenders but his shot at the end of his run went just past the far post. Whilst that one went wide of the post Ludgershall were back on level terms before the half hour mark, James Massiah set up Ryan Howard who beat Shrewton keeper Dave Cardus with a powerful shot from just inside the area to make it 1-1.
Shrewton went close to regaining the lead when Ben Jenks fired in a shot, but Bannister did well to save and steer the ball away from goal. However, Shrewton did restore their lead four minutes before the interval when Jake Watson headed in unchallenged from a corner for his second of the game and give Shrewton a 2-1 lead. Ludgershall almost struck back immediately, Nathan Strong did well down the right hand side getting behind the Shrewton defence but instead of squaring to an unmarked team mate on the edge of the six yard box for a simple tap in he fired in a shot at the near post which Cardus to saved with his feet and the chance to get back on level terms was lost. There was still time for another chance for the visitors a ball from the left fell to Kiefer Roper, but his shot sailed over the bar and it remained 2-1 to Shrewton at the break.

It remained a tight contest for the first ten minutes of the second half with the best chance falling to Jake Watson who went close to getting his hat-trick for Shrewton with another header which appeared to be goal bound until striking one of his team mates allowing Ludgershall to clear. Shrewton were not to be denied for long though as a couple of minutes later they went 3-1 in front with a solo goal from Ben Jenks who went on a run through the midfield from just inside his own half and then fired in a powerful shot from outside the box which gave Bannister no chance. Ludgershall continued to battle away but just could not open up the Shrewton defence which was well marshalled by Watson and Marcus Roper. The game was finally put beyond Ludgershall on 72 minutes, a mix up in the Ludgershall defence saw Tyren Harrington punish the Ludgershall defenders when they failed to clear the ball from the edge of their six-yard box, Harrington reacted quickly as the defenders hesitated firing in a powerful shot past Bannister in the Ludgershall goal. The ball could and should have been cleared and at 4-1 to the home side it was game over. That was not the end of the scoring though as ten minutes from time Harrington got his second of the game firing in a low shot into the far bottom right corner to make the final score 5-1 to Shrewton on the night and no doubt stand-in managers Geoff Jenks and Craig Lewis were very pleased with the nights effort from their side.

On a final note the three officials in charge of the game were excellent on a night when the new improved lights at Shrewton shone brightly for the home side, who once again look like they will be a force this season. 

Premier Division Results

Tuesday 8 September

Shrewton United 5 Ludgershall Sports 1

8 September 2020
Share by: