Shropshire Star

Sunderland 1 Shrewsbury 1 - Report and pictures

Shrewsbury Town took a well-deserved point from Sunderland in front of the largest attendance to ever watch them play league football, writes Lewis Cox at the Stadium of Light.

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Sam Ricketts’ side upset the form guide as the league’s poorest away side claimed their share of the spoils after taking the lead through Luke Waterfall and defending manfully against the Black Cats, unbeaten at home.

A crowd of 33,288 watched Town’s workmanlike display, in which they never stopped pressing on the break for the most unlikely of victories.

That attendance breaks a 48-year record from Villa Park.

And the 697 Shrewsbury fans in the north east should be proud of every single player in blue and amber to step on to the field because it was the most committed display of the season.

Town players have seldom worked harder, particularly in the latter stages, as they kept Sunderland’s stars at bay, clearing every cross, every shot, overcoming surges of cramp to get away with their point.

Top scorer Josh Maja netted for the hosts just before half-time but, despite the number of late clearances, Shrewsbury’s Steve Arnold had precious little to do in the second period owing to the players in front of him.

A thrilling finale could have seen it go Salop’s way as a rebound somehow hit home keeper Jon McLaughlin rather than flying in, before the immovable Mat Sadler somehow cleared from under his crossbar.

It was a warrior performance from each and every one of them. Town just the fifth side to take a point from the Stadium of Light, where Sunderland remain unbeaten.

Analysis

Ricketts warned it was not going to be a day out, but it was difficult not to be taken in by the grand setting that hosted Town’s final match of 2018.

For the history books it was the biggest crowd Shrewsbury have ever played in front of in the Football League (excluding play-offs), for the boss it was billed as a game to win and three points to claim.

And Town were desperate to put to an end their poor form on the road. Boxing Day’s defeat at Accrington Stanley - where they conceded after 25 seconds - meant Shrews’ away record remained the worst in League One.

The latest chance to improve that was perhaps the toughest of all in the division as Sunderland, unbeaten from 11 home clashes (seven wins) were still riding the wave of a League One record attendance of 46,000 at their victory against Bradford over Christmas.

There was a surprising bit of team news from Ricketts, who benched 10-goal top scorer Fejiri Okenabirhie, while fellow striker Aaron Amadi-Holloway (ill) was missing.

In came forward Lenell John-Lewis for a first league start since October 13, while boyhood Newcastle fan Alex Gilliead - who joined from the Magpies in the summer - took his place in the XI.

Sunderland’s glittering array of options look out of place on a League One teamsheet but the hosts’ back-to-back relegations, portrayed in the recently-released Netflix documentary - means they are there to be shot at for clubs such as Shrewsbury.

Town’s set-up sprung another surprise. They were lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with recognised striker John-Lewis out to the left, Josh Laurent in the most advanced central role and Gilliead on the right.

The 4-3-3 is the formation boss Ricketts preferred while at Wrexham.

And, as opposed to starts at Burton and Accrington Stanley under their new boss, Shrewsbury were terrific from the off as they set about smothering their glamorous hosts.

Sunderland could have found themselves behind inside five minutes, they were unable to deal with balls into the box and Luke Waterfall should have done better with a close-range effort from Greg Docherty’s set-pieces, which were causing all manner of problems.

Groans from the home crowd rang around in the early moments as the red and white shirts gave the ball away time after time and looked lethargic. The home crowd expecting things to be easier.

On the occasion Sunderland crept forward, Waterfall, Anthony Grant and Mat Sadler looked robust at the back.

The Black Cats looked disjointed and their lackadaisical approach filtered to the stands. Ricketts’ men were winning every physical battle on the park, looking drilled and committed to the cause. Midfielders Grant and Docherty were everywhere.

Home players began to wake up before the half hour mark with a couple of runs to the byline but Shrewsbury were undeterred.

And nobody could have predicted what was to come next.

Town were awarded a free-kick 40 yards out on the left side and Docherty measured it up before sending in a peach.

Amid the gaggle of bodies in the box up rose the imposing figure of Waterfall to somehow get excellent connection on the header and guide it goalwards, beyond the despairing fingers of Jon McLaughlin.

The visitors deserved their lead for their vibrant, energetic and busy start. John-Lewis backed up his selection on the left side with as a crucial contribution going back as heading forward.

The challenge was set for Salop to become the first side to take three points from the Stadium of Light this season. They would use all the tricks in the book, some bending the rules, to frustrate the locals, who were being wound up.

An area of concern was referee Scott Oldham’s pocket. He booked midfield trio Ollie Norburn, Grant and Docherty inside eight minutes towards the end of the first period - the former for time wasting.

The latter picked up his yellow for a foul just as Sunderland built a real head of steam before the break.

Centre-back Tom Flanagan had sent an angled finish wide across goal but on the stroke of half-time they were back on terms through top scorer Maja.

He buried his 14th of the season from close range by getting on the end of a powerful left-sided cross from Aiden McGeady.

It was cruel luck for Town to concede just before the break but Sunderland had upped the ante.

Town had let their foot off the gas after a rasping first 25 minutes and would need the leveller to wake them. In first half added time the visitors piled forward and Norburn sent a left footed drive not far over.

John-Lewis was busy after the restart and proving a handful for Sunderland. He held off two challenges before testing McLaughlin from distance and then played his role well but holding up on the left for Norburn to cross.

Gilliead and Laurent combined in the box as the latter nodded at McLaughlin on the stretch, he couldn’t quite generate the power required.

The hosts were forced into a change as Reece James replaced injured left-back Bryan Oviedo before Jack Ross opted to send on powerful forward Charlie Wyke for Chris Maguire.

The hosts were in charge of the ball but, as the manager promised in the week, there was no lack of ambition from Shrewsbury. In Laurent’s diving header but, more plainly, a John-Lewis strike, they created the best openings of the half by the hour mark.

It was Town’s gameplan in a nutshell as Docherty released the flying Gilliead down the right, the winger skinned his man, hit the byline and pulled back an accurate low cross for John-Lewis, who could only lash wide at the near post.

It was a big chance.

But with the way Sunderland’s defence panicked with anybody running at them, you felt Town were not sitting ducks.

Ricketts sent for the pace of Okenabirhie to replace the tiring Gilliead with 25 minutes remaining. The poacher would full in the dogged role on the right, working tirelessly back in the channels like John-Lewis on the opposite flank.

The home crowd ensured that the hosts’ tails were raised for a late attack on the Town backline. A point was nowhere near good enough for the hosts, they wanted all three but were getting no chance out of a solid Town backline.

Time after time it was Sadler, Waterfall and Grant clearing crosses or cutbacks with some inspired defending.

Lee Angol had replaced Laurent in the advanced role and was hanging on the shoulder of the defence praying for any ball over the top.

The finale was thrilling and breathless. Sunderland knocked at the door time and time again but created nothing clear cut until the last seconds of five minutes added as Sadler somehow scooped over his own bar.

Grant flung himself in front of shots to keep the point and keep Salopians singing and cheering proudly all the way back down the country.

A tireless afternoon’s work from Ricketts’ men.

Key moments

3 - Bright start from Shrewsbury and Greg Docherty’s corner reaches an unmarked Luke Waterfall six yards out but he can’t get firm connection a first-time left footed strike.

20 - Real ambition and determination from Alex Gilliead on the right as he charges forward, is fouled but the referee plays on, and Josh Laurent curls over the top from outside the box.

30 - GOAL TOWN! Would you believe it!? What a moment for Waterfall who heads home a peach from around the penalty spot area from Docherty’s perfect left-sided set piece.

41 - Centre-back Tom Flanagan sends a low finish from a tight right angle wide across goal as Sunderland sent in a corner.

44 - Goal Sunderland. Aiden McGeady is sent haring away down the left and his fizzed cross is on a plate for top scorer Josh Maja who can barely miss from inside the six yard box.

45+3 - Town not deterred and Ollie Norburn sends a left-footed strike whistling over the top from left side of the box.

60 - Massive chance for Lenell John-lewis after Gilliead’s cutback from the right byline picks him out eight yards from goal but he sends a finish wide at the near post.

63 - Maja goes down poorly in the box with Anthony Grant near him and the referee tells him to get up.

72 - Sub Duncan Watmore shoots well over from distance, Sunderland have not tested Steve Arnold in the second period.

90+ - How hasn’t that gone in!?!?! A Docherty free-kick hits a defender in the six yard box and flies at keeper McLaughlin. So unlucky!!

90+ - Wow. Mat Sadler clears over his own crossbar from barely inches out. Stunning.

Teams

Sunderland (4-3-3)

McLaughlin; O’Nien, Flanagan, Baldwin, Oviedo (James, 50); McGeady, Cattermole ©, Gooch (Watmore, 67), Power, Maguire (Wyke, 55), Maja.

Subs not used: Ruittier (gk), Ozturk, McGeouch, Sinclair.

Shrewsbury Town (4-5-1):

Arnold; Bolton, Waterfall, Sadler ©, Haynes (Beckles, 87); Gilliead (Okenabirhie, 67), Norburn, Grant, Laurent (Angol, 77), Docherty; John-Lewis.

Subs not used: Coleman (gk), Emmanuel, Sears, Eisa.

Attendance: 33,288 (697 Shrewsbury fans)

Referee - Scott Oldham

Position in the table - 17th (29 points from 25 games)

Star man - All 11 of them. Warriors.