Livvo No Show!

By: Martin Copass
Date: 03/12/2001

STEVE LIVINGSTONE failed to appear for the reserves in their rescheduled match against Shrewsbury Town. However, there were four first team players on show, and Town did win to go top of the league.

It was a cold afternoon, and it was disappointing to see that Livingstone had failed to appear; the four first team players that did appear were Campbell, Raven, Smith and Burnett.

To be honest the game was a drab affair and real chances were few and far between. Both teams had shots at goal, but neither goalkeeper really had to do too much. Darren Mansaram had a chance after nine minutes, but shot straight at goalkeeper Hart, but he made no mistake after 25 minutes. A free kick just outside the eighteen-yard box came eventually to Darren Mansaram and he managed to put Town 1-0 up with a well-taken finish. Both defences seemed to be on top and the score remained 1-0 at half time.

It was to be hoped that the second half would improve; to be honest it wasn't much better. A cynic may say that the reserves worst performance comes at a time when more first team players are playing, but I suppose we have to use them to get them fit!

In a three-minute spell, Shrewsbury had three chances. In the 59th minute, Murphy missed a chance with only Croudson to beat, a minute later Courtney’s 20-yard effort flew over the bar, but a minute later Johnson made no mistake from close range to level the scores. It was no more then they deserved fro they were the better side in the first fifteen minutes of the second half.

Town replaced Morgan with Bolder, he went into midfield and Smith dropped to left back. This made no difference as the game was still mainly being played out in the midfield areas.

The score of 1-1 was looking like the final outcome, but then a fine pass by Burnett beat Shrewsbury’s offside trap and Darren Mansaram finished in fine style to score his and Town’s second.

That was basically it as the game petered out to the end with not too much more goalmouth action. Although it was a disappointing performance, the result was the right one and it took them to the top of the table as last weeks leaders were thrashed 4-0 last week. The first team players all seemed to get through the game ok, and that can only be good news for manager Lennie Lawrence.

Town: Croudson, Ward (Bolder 62), Morgan, Raven, Ford, Burnett, Hockless (Downes 88), Campbell, Mansaram, Thompson, Smith
Subs not used: Ermes, Busscher, Cass

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