Win number three out of three pre-season games saw a 4-2 victory over a confident looking Shrewsbury side, who might have caused an upset today if not for some supert Nat Edwards saves when the opposition hit a purple patch late in the second half.

TGLFC were dominant in the opening stages forcing three early corners in quick succession which they did not capitalise on. Corner no.4 almost created the breakthrough when Sophie Blocksidge headed against the bar but Shrewsbury scrambled the ball clear. Danni Chidlow will feel that she should have done better on twenty minutes when she put her shot wide of the post. Blocksidge then sent a back header into the side netting.

With both sides fielding experienced players the still impressive Penny Brown almost opened the scoring for Shrewsbury latching onto a rebound but putting her shot just wide. It was TGLFC who drew first blood when Blocksidge slipped through the defence to hit a superb left foot shot beyond the keeper 1-0. Stacey Aitken Best hit the post shortly after, but within 2 minutes Steph Walker received the ball, turned and shot powerfully high into the net. 2-0.

Emily Bridge snatched one back for Shrewsbury five minutes later, beating the TGLFC to fire low into the corner. 2-1. Chances came at both ends, Sam West put a shot over the bar but play switched to the other end and Bridge popped up, grabbing her second of the game to level the scores 2-2. The goal settled Shrewsbury into their rhythm, they began to play attacking football and only a brave Niki Walker block stopped Brown from snatching the lead, Aitken Best collected the ball and cleared the danger. Leanne Moss then entered the game and immediately brought her battling attitue with her to galvanize her side.

Shrewsbury started the second half with their tails up, being denied by the post early on and by an excellent Edwards finger tip save down low to her right. Katie came on and broke through to put a shot marginally wide for TGLFC. The youngster then forced the Shrewsbury keeper into a stop shot, she pushed the ball out only as far as Aitken Best, who powered her low strike into the bottom corner. 3-2. It was Kate who again caused chaos in the box with a good cross that Shrewsbury struggled to clear, as play switched to the other end Bridge could so easily have scored her hat trick but popped her shot just over the bar. Tamsin Sankey then crossed a lovely ball through to S. Walker, who was cruelly denied her second of the game by the crossbar.

TGLFC won a penalty when Blocksidge was fouled in the box. Aitken best stepped up but never looked 100% confident and put her spot kick over the bar. They did increase their lead though when Kate got the goal that she richly deserved, Sankey's shot was blocked and her team mate pounced to send an unstoppable shot into the net. 4-2.

Edwards made a terrific save under pressure when surrounded by players and her throw out set up Aitken Best who hooked the ball wide of goal with a defender snapping at her heels. By the final third of the game TGLFC had regained their dominance and Beth Hughes crashed a shot wide to rattle the opposition. Sarah Hickman came on for a sprightly and impressive final ten minutes of the game and with her first touch scoerd a goal that was harshly adjudged offside. Within a minute she fashioned the chance that many swore had crossed the line before being hurredly cleared by Shrewsbury, but was missed by the official. Blocksidge and Sophie Haynes both had efforts denied in the closing stages.

This was an entertaining game, and the result probably went exactly as it should have on the day, but if the players Shrewsbury were missing on the day play half as well as their replacements, then the County League is in for a treat this coming season.

TGLFC 4 - 2 SHREWSBURY