Shrews prove too strong for youthful Imps

After going behind on 15 minutes, goals from Kern Miller and Sam Mullarkey saw the Imps take a 2-1 lead.

A penalty for Shrewsbury on the stroke of half-time and three more in the last fifteen minutes gave all the points to Shrewsbury Reserves in the Central League Central Division opener this evening. 


Match Report From Sincil Bank

City's second string, captained by Danny Hone, began their Central League Central Division campaign against a more experienced Shrewsbury outfit.

It was a scrappy opening quarter of an hour with the first incident of note coming in the 14th minute as full back Neil Ashton was able to run half the length of the pitch before squaring to Darren Moss on the edge of the area who's shot was deflected over by Danny Hone.

Shrewsbury broke the deadlock with a goal a minute later as Darren Moss again found space on the edge of the area, before firing into the corner of the net past Ayden Duffy.

The goal sparked City into life as Gary King won the Imps first corner of the game and three minutes later, City had another corner. Martin Pembleton's centre fell perfectly for the onrushing Kern Miller who jumped above his man and powerfully headed home into the top corner.

City carried on pressing forward as Gary King fired over from 8 yards out after good work from youngster Coleman-Carr on the left flank.

In the 25th minute Pembleton swung yet another quality delivery into the box which caused panic in the Shrewsbury penalty area. Danny Hone powerfully volleyed goalwards but was denied by 'keeper Glyn Garner. The ball fell to Sam Mullarkey who remained composed under pressure and fired the ball home from 8 yards out.

The Imps continued to put pressure on Shrewsbury with chances from Graham, Pembleton and Graham again all going close.

City conceded at just the wrong time as Neil Ashton burst into the City box and with Kern Miller committed Ashton went down and gave the referee no choice but to give the penalty which Michael Symes calmly slotted past Ayden Duffy

After a fairly even first half, the two sides went in even at the break

Half Time
Imps Reserves 2 Shrewsbury Reserves 2

Shrewsbury made two changes at the break with Guy Madjo and Aaron Gibson coming on and it wasn't long before the latter was involved in the action as his cross was deflected goalwards by City defender Kern Miller only for the post to save Miller's blushes.

On 53 minutes, City's David Graham went close with a well-hit volley as he followed up his free kick that had rebounded back off the wall.

Gary King then went close moments later after out pacing the Shrews full back, only to be denied by the 'keeper when he was through on goal.

Graham again went close as he beat the offside trap but he dragged his shot wide from a wide angle.

Shrewsbury started to dominate proceedings as the pace of Guy Madjo caused problems down the right flank as he went close twice only to be denied once by Duffy and once by the outside of the post.

Martin Pembleton's set pieces were dangerous throughout the evening and Mullarkey went close with a header from 12 yards out only for the 'keeper to gather.

In the 73rd minute Shrewsbury's dominance earned them the lead as good work down the right wing enabled Dave Hibbert to fire into the far corner of the net from 12 yards out.

City pushed forward for the equaliser but this left gaps at the back as on 82 minutes Chris Humphrey found time and space out wide where he was able to float the ball into Madjo who was unmarked and headed home from 8 yards.

With four minutes remaining the Shrews added number five as Humphrey skinned Coleman-Carr on the right wing before racing forward and picking out Symes who made no mistake from 8 yards with his header nestling in the top corner, once again leaving City 'keeper Ayden Duffy helpless to stop the ball going into the back of the net.

Full Time Score
City Reserves 2 Shrewsbury Reserves 5

Team line ups

City: Ayden Duffy, Marvin Hamilton, Luca Coleman-Carr, Kern Miller, Danny Hone, Martin Pembleton, Jack Roberts (Ryan Limb 74), Shane Clarke, Sam Mullarkey, David Graham, Gary King (James Cooper 62).

Subs not used: Chris Bond, Richard Bredice, Liam Bull.

Goals: Kern Miller 19, Sam Mullarkey 25

Booked: Danny Hone 22

Shrews: Glynn Garner, Darren Moss (Aaron Gibson 46), Neil Ashton, Stephen Hindmarch, Harry Hooman, James Meredith, Chris Humphrey, Steve Leslie, Dave Hibbert (Andre Gray 84), Michael Symes, Marc Pugh (Guy Madjo 46).

Subs not used: Jasbir Singh, Jan Coulson.

Goals: Darren Moss 15, Michael Symes 42 & 86, Dave Hibbert 73, Guy Madjo 82.

Booked: Dave Hibbert 22, Michael Symes 44
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