Preview: Shrewsbury Town v Fleetwood Town

31 December 2018

Town travel to Shrewsbury on New Year's Day for their first fixture of 2019 and after defeat against Portsmouth at the weekend, Joey Barton’s side will be looking to start of the calendar year with a win.

Since Saturday 22^nd December, the Cod Army have played three matches and with Tuesday’s game being their fourth in eleven days. It has been a busy time, but there’s still plenty of points to play for in the season!

Shrewsbury picked up a valuable point on the road at Sunderland in their last fixture, with Luke Waterfall scoring the opener at the Stadium of Light, with Josh Maja scoring the equaliser later on in the first half. They now sit 17^th in the league table.

Joey Barton spoke to the media ahead of the match, and here is what he had to say…

Town boss Joey Barton said…

“We’ve got no other choice (to bounce back), fill the tanks back up and get ready to go and give another performance against a Shrewsbury side that have picked up a good result today, away at Sunderland.

“Every game is winnable and we have proved that over the season. We’ve gone to grounds and been dominate away from home and that is a testament to this side. After the weekend’s result, we need to rally around as a team and we know if we are going to go anywhere this season, it needs us to be a team and staying together. It will be a physical game at Shrewsbury, but we will be ready!”

Shrewsbury Town manager Sam Ricketts spoke after the Sunderland game…

“I’m really pleased for the players and I think they deserved it after the performance they put in. From my point of view I loved the tactical side of the game. That’s what I really enjoy about football and management.

“Picking a game plan and seeing it carried out to the level that the players did is probably one of the most pleasing things you can see. I used to play with Roberto Martinez and he says he’s never been beaten on the tactics board and that’s the line I’m trying to follow.

“The players have set a standard for themselves now, they’ve showed everyone what they’re capable of. Now it’s just a question of consistently doing it.”

Last five results in Sky Bet League One (from the left):

Fleetwood Town: L W L W L (Currently 11^th on 33 points)

Shrewsbury Town: D L W D L (Currently 17^th on 29 points)

Last time we met…

The last time Fleetwood and Shrewsbury Town met was back in October 2018. The Cod Army came way with all three point at Highbury Stadium after a 2-1 victory over the Salops.

Paddy Madden and Wes Burns scored the two goals on the day, with Josh Laurent grabbing a second half consolation goal just before the hour mark.

The to sides have met on ten different occasions (including the above) with Town winning five of those in all competitions, Shrewsbury winning two – with both coming last season – and with three draw being played out.

Will Town make it six wins against the Shropshire side in the first match of the new year?

One to Watch

Oliver Norburn is the player to watch on Tuesday afternoon when the two sides go head to head at the Montgomery Waters Meadow stadium.

The 26-year-old joined Shrewsbury in August 2018 from League Two side Tranmere Rovers – where he helped the club secure promotion to the Football League via the play-offs at Wembley.

The box to back midfielder started off his career at Leicester City in 2011 and was sent out on loan to Bristol Rovers for four months before returning back to the King Power Stadium. In the summer, he joined Rovers on a permanent deal, where he featured 59 times, scoring four goals.

He had spells at Plymouth Argyle, Guiseley and Macclesfield before moving to Prenton Park, but is now playing in League One with Shrewsbury Town. Norburn has featured 27 times this season in all competitions, scoring six goals!

Betting Preview

Fleetwood head into their first match of 2019 against Shrewsbury underdogs, with odds at 13/5 to pick up all three points.

For Shrewsbury to win at home, the odds are currently priced at 21/20, with a draw between the two sides at 11/5.

Town beat their opponents 2-1 earlier in the season, and for Joey Barton’s side to pick up the same result this time around, the odds are 12/1.

The Fleetwood Town price boost odd for this game is for Fleetwood to win, and for both teams to score. It was 7/1, but now it’s 8/1. Worth a punt!

For more odds on the game, please click here. Remember to bet and gamble responsibly.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Town start 2019 with goalless draw at Shrewsbury

1 January 2019

Fleetwood Town began 2019 with a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Shrewsbury Town on New Year’s Day.

In a tight game with little to separate the teams, a point was deemed a fair result, despite Wes Burns going close in the second half for the Cod Army.

Barton made two changes to the side that started the game against Portsmouth at Highbury on Saturday with James Husband and James Wallace come into the starting eleven. Ash Hunter dropped to the bench, with Dean Marney suspended.

It was an even start to the match with both Shrewsbury and Fleetwood having chances at either end of the pitch with Paddy Madden going close after great build-up play by Ross Wallace, and with Aaron Holloway having an opening for the Salops in the first five minutes.

Former Fleetwood striker Holloway was let loose moments later by Norburn in the middle of the park, and the former Town striker was allowed to drive at the back four, and as the forward went to strike at goal, it was Ash Eastham to dive in and block the shot which was heading goal bound.

Barton’s side nearly took the lead through top goalscorer Madden after Ross Wallace’s out swinging corner was whipped into the box. James Wallace did well to get the first contact before heading down to the Irishman, but he couldn’t quite get the connection he wanted to find the back of the net.

After a training ground move from the corner spot, Lewie Coyle delivered in a beautiful ball into the box, which was cleared by Anthony Grant only to Craig Morgan, whose volley at goal was saved by Steve Arnold. Great pressure from the away side.

Fleetwood really grew into the game after half an hour with a number of opportunities falling their way, and with them knocking the ball around well and creating chances in front of goal, the only element missing was the opening goal of the match.

Shrewsbury made one change at the break with Alex Gilliead coming on for Grant, with the impression that he would get forward to support the two up front for the Salops.

However it was James Bolton who had the first attempt at goal in the second half and after a lovely ball from the substitute found the full back at the far post, but his effort was pulled narrowly wide of Alex Cairns’ goal.

Lee Angol came into the fray for Holloway and made an instant impact as the striker dropped deep the collect the ball, and with a clever flick over the top of the Fleetwood back line, Okenabirhie was through on goal until he was closed down by Coyle. A vital challenge.

Barton made his first change on the 70^th minute mark with Ash Hunter replacing Ross Wallace in midfield and it was also a change in formation with the head coach going from a 4-3-3 formation to a 4-4-2 with Hunter and Burns on the flanks, with the deadly duo of Evans and Madden back up top.

With the attacking change, and with Conor McAleny coming onto the field of play, it was as if Fleetwood were going for the points and had a good opportunity with eight minutes left on the clock when Burns and Madden drove forward, but once again it was the lack of quality in the final third that let the visitors down.

Burns thought he had won it for Town after Madden played the ball into the path of the Welshman, but you have to give credit to the Shrewsbury goalkeeper who did well to smother the ball with Burns getting a touch before the goalkeeper.

After six consecutive defeats on the road in the league, Fleetwood stop the rot with a point in Shropshire on New Year’s Day.

Shrewsbury XI: Arnold (GK), Haynes, Sadler ©, Docherty, Okenanirhie, Bolton, Holloway (Angol 56’), Waterfall, Laurent, Norburn, Grant (Gilliead, 46’).

Subs not used: Coleman (GK), Emmanuel, Beckles, John-Lewis, Sears.

Town’s XI: Cairns (GK), Coyle, Eastham, Burns, Evans (McAleny 80’) Madden, Morgan ©, R. Wallace (Hunter 72’), Husband, Biggins, J. Wallace (Sheron 80’).

Subs not used: P. Jones (GK), Holt, Dempsey, Bolger,

Ticket News

Last chance to get tickets for Town's first game of 2019

31 December 2018

Fleetwood Town will travel to Shrewsbury Town on January 1st 2019, and today will be the last day supporters can get their ticket and travel for the Sky Bet League One fixture.

As 2018 is coming to a close, it’s time to look forward to a new calendar year and the Cod Army’s first away trip of the new year to the Montgomery Waters Meadow.

Fans can purchase tickets in advance over the phone, or by calling into the club shop at Highbury. Supporters will also be able to get their £5 travel to and from the match.

The Cod Army will be situated in the D M Recruitment Stand, with ticket prices as follows:

Adults - £20

Seniors (65+) - £15

19-23 Year Olds - £15

Students - £15

12-18 Year Olds - £8

8-11 Year Olds - £6

Under 8 – FREE

Coaches will be departing Highbury at 10am, costing only £5 for Onward Card holders and £13 for non Onward Card holders.

To purchase match tickets or coach travel, please visit the club shop at Highbury Stadium or call 01253 775080.

Fleetwood Town

Standings

Preview: Shrewsbury Town v Fleetwood Town

Report: Town start 2019 with goalless draw at Shrewsbury

Last chance to get tickets for Town's first game of 2019

Tickets and travel on sale for New Year's Day trip to Shrewsbury