Joe Romasiuk gives a fan’s view from the terraces…

Ten minutes after arriving at the ground I was sat watching the Shrewsbury and Accrington players arrive on the pitch – with the Shrews sporting luminous yellow training tops to show their support for the ‘Kick It Out’ campaign, a charity helping to get rid of racism and fan abuse in football at all levels.

Tom Bradshaw was given a presentation from the chairman, Roland Wycherley, for gaining his first Under-21 Wales cap before the teams entered the field to the sounds of ‘Catch Us If You Can’.

Shrewsbury Town chairman Roland Wycherley presents Tom Bradshaw with his Wales Under 21 Cap

The game started off at a high tempo with Shrewsbury dictating the early play and creating the first chance of the game after just two minutes.

Lionel Ainsworth put in a great cross for Marvin Morgan who couldn’t quite connect his head to it.

After this though very little happened until the 17th minute when a slip by Proctor allowed Marvin Morgan through one on one with Dunbavin, only for him to apply a poor finish and lob the ball well over the Accrington bar.

Then, just five minutes later a fantastic 40-yard cross field ball from Jacobson found Lionel Ainsworth perfectly. He skipped past McIntyre at left back and drove a low cross to the near post for Tom Bradshaw to tap in.

Just before half time, Jermaine Grandison made the first of his storming runs from right back. He played the ball in to the box for Morgan to set up Cansdell-Sheriff, forcing a fantastic last-ditch challenge from Accrington’s Barnett.

Nicky Wroe had a fantastic first half and was the reason that Shrewsbury went into the break 1-0 up.

Half time and Tony Kelly, the ex-Shrewsbury midfield legend, was the guest chosen to draw the golden ticket, and the 5,000 or so home fan greeted him with a welcoming cheer. The Town players were out on the pitch much earlier than the Accrington team and looked lively to start the second half.

When the Accrington players eventually returned the game started at a frantic pace.

Shrewsbury won a corner in the first minute, which was floated in by Marc Wright and nodded just over the bar by Cansdell-Sheriff.

Just two minutes later Accrington Stanley won a free kick 25 yards from goal after a late challenge from Nicky Wroe sent Hatfield tumbling.

The resulting free kick was driven in to the wall but some sustained pressure from Accrington paid off when they won another free kick after Cansdell-Sheriff put in a poor challenge on Hatfield again, the crowd greeted this with boos aimed at anyone listening.

The free kick was again wasted as it was blazed over the bar from 20 yards out and with this ended the only spell of Accrington pressure so far in the game.

Just before the hour Accrington tried to change the game in a big way by making three substitutions all in one, Hatfield, Amond and Proctor made way for Cold, Linfield and Dobie.

There was no profound impact from these three as Shrewsbury got back on to the front foot with another storming run from Grandison, which finally got the crowd going.

Before this there was a limited atmosphere, but this is to be expected when there are only, and yes I did count, 52 away fans to work off.

The remaining 20 minutes of the game continued to be dominated by Shrewsbury who made three substitutes themselves. Marc Wright came off for the talented John Taylor on 73 minutes and Marvin Morgan was replaced by Matthew Richards after suffering a slight injury to his ribs.

With five minutes to go Tom Bradshaw, who had been fantastic all game, was replaced by Connor Goldson for his well deserved standing ovation.

The game finished 1-0 but could have been so many more.

My personal man of the match for this game was Lionel Ainsworth who was at the heart of almost everything good that Shrewsbury did.

He ripped apart McIntyre at right back, setting up Bradshaw for his goal, and created multiple chances for whoever was in the box.

So, after a cold, dull start I could leave smiling in the knowledge that Shrewsbury gained three points and moved up to 3rd in the process.

That’s a good evening in my mind!