Shrewsbury Town suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Wrexham in their first league encounter since 2008, as goals from Ollie Palmer, Elliot Lee, and Jack Marriott saw the hosts take control at the STōK Cae Ras.
Salop boss Paul Hurst acknowledged after the match it was a difficult afternoon for his side, who struggled to contain a high-flying Wrexham side that extended their unbeaten run in League One and kept their fourth consecutive clean sheet.
The match began with a fast pace, and Shrewsbury found themselves on the back foot early. Wrexham’s relentless pressure paid off in the 15th minute when a well-worked move involving Ryan Barnett and Elliot Lee opened up space for James McClean. His perfectly placed cross found Ollie Palmer, who calmly slotted the ball past Shrewsbury goalkeeper Toby Savin to give the home side an early lead.
Shrewsbury fought to get back into the game and created a couple of opportunities. Their best chance in the first half came when Leo Castledine connected with a header, but Wrexham keeper Arthur Okonkwo was equal to it, making a strong save to keep the visitors at bay.
Wrexham doubled their lead just before half-time, with Barnett once again instrumental. Cutting in from the right, he found Elliot Lee, whose clinical finish from 18 yards left Savin with no chance and sent Wrexham into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Shrewsbury showed more fight in the second half, with Mal Benning testing Okonkwo from a free-kick. However, their hopes were dashed in the 59th minute when a defensive mix-up allowed Jack Marriott to pounce on a loose ball and score Wrexham’s third goal, effectively sealing the result.
Wrexham could have had more – Paul Mullin nearly added his name to the scoresheet in the 85th minute when Revan delivered a pinpoint cross from the left. Mullin connected well with the ball, but the opposing keeper reacted quickly to make a crucial save and deny him.
Salop boss Hurst believes his beleaguered side were ‘well in the game’ but were architects of their own downfall.
“For quite a bit of the game at 2-0, we were well in the game, but they are very good at what they do and punished a couple of mistakes,” he told the Shropshire Star. “They certainly punished a mistake with the third goal; in reality, it killed the game off. We spoke at half-time about the importance of the third goal because I felt if we could get it naturally the score line can make the crowd and team edgy.”
Hirst, whose side remain in the bottom four, having played more than their rivals in the lower reaches, believes the third goal was his side’s undoing, and it was their own fault.
“Ultimately, we gave them a helping hand in terms of the goals, and it makes an already difficult task so much harder,” he added.
The result means Wrexham top the League One table, three points clear of the four sides below them, but having played a game more than two of those clubs.
Writer’s View
Hurst is right – his side did gift the third, but there was no coming back from the opener. So far this season, Salop’s attack has lacked sharpness, and their defence has been vulnerable, with goals conceded in key moments. If they go behind, it never feels like they’ll get back into the game, and this was a banker home win all day long.
Hurst’s side’s inability to consistently pick up points puts them at risk of a relegation battle if they don’t improve soon, and given the climate around the club at the moment, it seems almost inevitable they’ll be spending their campaign trying to claw points back on the teams above them.