“It was only the woodwork (twice) and Shrewsbury’s keeper who kept them in the game.”

Views from Merthyr Imp following Saturday’s 1-1 draw away at Shrewsbury Town in League One: “Got home at 9pm (earlier than usual), had fish & chips, watched Match of the Day, now here’s some rubbish from me without yet reading any match reports or other comments.

The first half from us was moderate at best as Shrewsbury looked much more ‘up for it’ than we did, playing a very physical game which was aided by the referee, who by the end of the match I think had upset both sets of supporters. Hesketh especially, and John-Jules were far too lightweight to compete with them and Grant could hardly get into the game.

No surprise to see Hesketh go off (whether he was injured or not) or John-Jules. In the second half after the equalising penalty it was only the woodwork (twice) and Shrewsbury’s keeper who kept them in the game – he must have been their man of the match. Throughout the whole game, I can’t remember Vickers having a serious save to make. I thought Shrewsbury were a bit similar to the way we’ve been playing in that they tended to over-elaborate instead of getting in a shot at goal.

We did well defensively – apart from Bolger almost letting them in just before the end – and in midfield, Coventry looked by far the best of the new(ish) players and was a good partner for Morrell. Was a bit disappointed in Elbouzedi, although he did better than Hesketh, and I thought we missed Anderson a lot.

Overall, happy with a point although we deserved to win.”

More views from the Match Thread:

PerthImp: “A good point and probably a fair result overall. Think the conditions dictated the play a little with mainly Shrewsbury first half and mainly us in the second. The new signings didn’t let themselves down although they need to gel with their teammates, get a bit sharper and get used to the level of the game. Shrewsbury are one of those teams that pull the opposition‘s shirts too much (largely unpunished) and go to ground far too easily (getting unjustified FKs at times). I really don’t like watching them!”

Woodis: “Satisfied with a draw but really should have won, unlucky to hit the bar twice – their keeper MOM says it all.

The referee was shocking. Hesketh was done by a two-footed tackle. Red card all day long but didn’t even give a foul – put Hesketh out the game. Gave us little all game so can only assume our pen was a stonewaller – opposite end to us.”

sedgleyimp: “Back home after a windswept match. Really pleasing result today but also with performances across the board which were good to a man. Would have won on another day without their keeper who was excellent I thought and was their man of the match.

The two new lads did fine though you could clearly see that John-Jules was running on empty for his substitution. The first sight of Elbouzadi also and he looks promising though I suspect many comments on him will be he needs to make a better decision in the last third similar to what is oft said about Harry A. Bags of pace though.

Overall a very good point today in windy conditions.”

Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!

"It was only the woodwork (twice) and Shrewsbury's keeper who kept them in the game."https://t.co/3pna2qHB0S#SALOP #ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps

— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) January 13, 2020

https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/2656336061069289

Shrewsbury Town				Lincoln City
Norburn 36' (pen)				Walker 48' (pen)
O'Leary				Vickers
Williams				Eardley
Ebanks-Landell				Bolger
Pierre			20'	Shackell
Sears				Toffolo
Laurent				Hesketh			44'
Edwards			75'	Coventry
Norburn				Morrell
Golbourne				Grant
Whalley				Walker
Lang			67'	John-Jules			65'
Substitutes
Murphy				Chapman
Beckles			20'	Smith
Giles				Lewis
Walker				Melbourne
Love				Elbouzedi			44'
Udoh			67'	Akinde			65'
Cummings			75'	Edun

Game Statistics
10	Goal attempts	10
2	On Target	5
5	Corners	6
11	Fouls	14
2	Yellow Cards	0
0	Red Cards	0
53	%	47