SHAWBURY UNITED (Shrewsbury Town Community Pitch)

MIDLAND LEAGUE DIVISION ONE, SHAWBURY UNITED 2-2 HEATHER ST JOHN'S, ATTENDANCE: 49

First and foremost, Happy New Year! All the very best to those of you taking the time and trouble to read these words.

With storm Henk wreaking havoc over the first few days of 2024, I decided to play it safe and head for a game on an artificial surface. There were plenty of matches taking place inside these ubiquitous cages and the one I opted for was the Midland League encounter between Shawbury United and Heather St John's at the Shrewsbury Town Community Hub, located at the back of the South Stand at The New Meadow.

Shawbury is a village about 10 miles north of Shrewsbury and the football club was formed in 1992. After initially playing in local Shropshire leagues, the club joined the pyramid system in 1999 when they became member of the West Midlands (Regional) League.

The club have led a nomadic existence in recent times playing home games at Wem Town, Ludlow and now Shrewsbury. There are plans in place for the club to return to Shawbury as land has been gifted to the club on a 99 year lease and the club are continuing to raise money to build a new football facility in the village.

Today was mid-table encounter but it turned out to be an entertaining game which finished all square. The visitors came from behind twice, despite having their goalkeeper Matthew White sent off for (what was presumed to be) dissent after the award of a penalty, which Eric Mensah converted for Shawbury. He continued to argue the toss after the penalty had been scored and the referee obviously must have had enough.

Kyle Jardine scored the equaliser for Heather St Johns to ensure it was all square at half time before.

Jack Howse thought he'd headed home a late winner for the homesters but in stoppage time Jardine raced through to score a second equaliser. It was a deserved leveller as it was an evenly matched encounter and Heather St John's more than matched Shawbury, despite their numerical disadvantage.