Shifnal Town V Stourport Swifts (Premier Division)

​Shifnal Town were looking to continue their impressive form with a result against Stourport Swifts at the Acoustafoam Stadium yesterday. It’s been an incredible few months for the Shropshire side with six wins from their last eight matches to be in a strong position for the play offs. They also have an outside chance of winning the league if Lichfield drop points over the next few weeks.   
The Reds notably beat play off chasers Brocton last weekend at Silkmore Lane and are one of the form teams in the premier division under manager Connor Patterson.

Stourport Swifts are going through a transitional period with Ben Jevons coming in as their new manager earlier in the season. None the less, the Swifts have been competitive in step five throughout 24/25 and have picked up some eye-catching results such as beating Brocton.

The visitors are challenging for a top half finish over the final few weeks of the season alongside the likes of Studley, AFC Wulfrunians and Stone Old Alleynians. 

​Starting line ups

Shifnal’s starting line up included Andy Wycherley starting in goal and Kyle Bennett captaining the team from holding midfield. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Josh Beamond playing up front and being supported by Lewis Jarman and Kyle Byrne on the wings.

There was one change from their match against Brocton last weekend with Jack Rowley coming back into the team and playing at centre back alongside Bradley Maslen-Jones.

Stourport’s starting line up included George Tideswell starting in goal and Aaron Birch captaining the team at centre back. The formation looked like a 4-4-2 with a front two of Joe Phillips and Connor Deards being supported by George Baker and Jim Hanson on the wings.

There were two changes from their match against Atherstone Town last weekend with Connor Deards coming into the team and playing in the number ten role. 

​First Half

Shifnal started the match on the front foot and had the momentum inside the opening twenty minutes. They took the lead early on when Kevin Monteiro made a brilliant run into the box before having his initial shot saved by George Tideswell. He reacted quickest to the rebound before finishing into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0 in the 7th minute.  

The Shropshire side looked like a side in form and were taking the game to Stourport. Josh Beamond was making some good runs into the final third and they looked a threat going forward.  

Stourport showed character at 1-0 down and gradually grew into the match as the first half went on. Aaron Birch was stepping up to the Shifnal pressure well at centre back and managing to read the danger to keep the Worcester side in the match.   

​The visitors had a good chance for an equaliser when Joe Phillips played a well weighted ball for Connor Deards whose shot was blocked by Bradley Maslen-Jones for a corner.

Shifnal had a control of the game at 1-0 and were working hard off the ball to limit the chances for Stourport. Kyle Bennett was constantly breaking up the play and starting off attacks from holding midfield while Bradley Maslen-Jones was playing well at the back.

Stourport had a half chance when a neat passing move resulted in Jim Hanson finding some space down the left before cutting inside and firing wide from range. The visitors were moving the ball around well throughout the first half and asking some questions of Shifnal. Jack Cresswell was linking up the play from midfield and helping Stourport to build some momentum on the ball.

Shifnal had some good chances to make it 2-0 near the end of the first half. Kyle Byrne found some space in the box before having a deflected shot instinctively saved by George Tideswell in the 33rd minute.

Kevin Monteiro also put a header wide of the far post from a good ball delivered into the box a couple of minutes later.

The best chance for a second goal came a couple of minutes before half time when Kyle Bennett made an inspired run down the right before playing a low cross to Sam Fitzgerald in the box. He had his shot saved by George Tideswell who did well to narrow the angle at the back post.

Shifnal were building some momentum in front of goal, but Stourport did a good job of containing them throughout the first half to keep it at 1-0 going into the half time break.

Second Half

A moment of quality made it 2-0 to Shifnal in the early stages of the second half to give the Reds some breathing space. A ball was played to Sam Fitzgerald on the edge of the box with a couple of players to beat. He showed brilliant technique to get the ball down before producing a quality volley into the top right corner.

Stourport had a good chance to pull a goal back a few minutes later when Jack Cresswell found some space in the box before putting his effort wide of the left-hand post. One of the main positives from the visitors yesterday was their build up play and composure on the ball against a tough Shifnal side.

There was a clever tactical change by Shifnal manager Connor Patterson early in the second half with Sam Fitzgerald playing more centrally as the number nine and Josh Beamond moving to the wing. This arguably made them more dynamic up front and asked different questions of the Stourport backline with Sam Fitzgerald more of a target man up front and creating space for other players.    

The change worked when Josh Beamond made a brilliant run down the right-hand side before squaring it to Sam Fitzgerald who produced a composed finish into the top right corner to make it 3-0 in the middle of the second half.

It was starting to click in the final third for Shifnal and they really stepped it up in the second half. The likes of Taylor Need and Theo Knight came off the bench and impressed up front for the Shropshire side in the final half hour.

Shifnal made it 4-0 when Theo Knight beat a few players down the right before finding Kevin Monteiro on the edge of the box who produced a brilliant finish into the top left corner.    

Jack Rowley was fouled in the box for a late Shifnal penalty. Sam Fitzgerald stepped up and took a composed spot kick into the bottom right corner to make it 5-0 and complete his hat-trick.

Not long after the referee blew for the full-time whistle for Shifnal’s fourth straight win in the premier division.

They’ve been brilliant at home this season with eleven wins from fifteen matches and are building momentum for the play offs.  

Full Time

Shifnal were impressive yesterday and looked like a team in form. It’s a settled squad and the likes of Kevin Monteiro, Bradley Maslen-Jones and Sam Fitzgerald played well yesterday to make it 21 wins from 29 league matches this season. They will be looking to continue their momentum for a play-off run in late April.  

Their remaining schedule includes matches against Whitchurch Alport (Home), Highgate United (Away), Stone Old Alleynians (Away), Northwich Victoria (Home) and Studley (Away) to close the regular season.

Stourport battled well in this match and showed moments of promise despite the result. They moved the ball about well throughout midfield with Matt Harland and Jack Cresswell impressing and creating space for the visitors. Joe Phillips looked a threat up front and was holding up the ball well in the final third.

The visitors are an interesting team to follow in step five and could be a challenger next season.

There are players to build around for the long-term future under manager Ben Jevons and they could be a team to watch for a potential play off push if it all clicks.   

Their remaining schedule includes matches against Studley (Home), Dudley Town (Home), Romulus (Away) and Uttoxeter Town (Away) to close the season.               

FT score: Shifnal Town 5-0 Stourport Swifts

Man of the match: Sam Fitzgerald (Shifnal Town)

Attendance: 127

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League