Liam Lawrence, was deadly from set piece situations – as a penalty and a free-kick sealed the points for Shrewsbury at Greenhous Meadow this afternoon.
Mickey Mellon, named the same eleven that annihilated Morecambe last time out. There was a home debut for Derby loanee Rhys Sharpe – although it ended a lot sooner than he would have liked.
Shrewsbury were on the receiving end of an early goal last Saturday; but they turned the tables this time, as Liam Lawrence dispatched a 2nd minute penalty with consummate ease. Cameron Gayle was bundled over inside the area by Oxford captain Jake Wright. Ryan Clarke had no chance of stopping Lawrence’s spot-kick.
Despite Shrewsbury dominating possession, Oxford were relatively comfortable – and could have equalised in the 15th minute. Danny Hylton was back from suspension, to spray a perfectly waited pass to Alex McDonald – the former Burnley forward looked odds on to score, but Cameron Gayle produced a superb tackle to keep his side in the lead.
A corner from Liam Lawrence, was knocked on by Connor Goldson towards the path of James Collins – Town’s top scorer blazed high and wide from close range.
Oxford’s best chance of the first half, came when Roofe rode several challenges, before drilling the ball goalwards. Leutwiler was on hand to block at his near post. The away side were beginning to grow in confidence. Danny Hylton’s effort was turned away by Leutwiler. McDonald was next to test Leutwiler’s reflexes with a dipping free-kick, Leutwiler punched the ball behind for a corner.
Town’s last chance of a relatively subdued first half, came when Jermaine Grandison caught the ball sweetly on the half volley. However, it sailed wide of Clarke’s left post.
It was Oxford who began the second half the brightest. Danny Hylton, was extremely unlucky not to score his 16th league goal of the season. His arching shot, had Leutwiler firmly rooted to the spot, but thankfully for the Swiss it went just wide. For a good fifteen minutes of the second half, the away side were by far the superior team of the second half. And thier outlook got even better, when Town were reduced to ten men. Rhys Sharpe, seemed to fancy a piggyback from Roofe, and was given a second yellow card for his troubles.
Oxford were unable to make their numerical advantage count – Danny Hylton couldn’t sort his feet out with the goal gaping.
Instead, with ten minutes left, Shrewsbury doubled their advantage. Bobby Grant was upended by Wright. The defender who was at fault for Shrewsbury’s first goal, was extremely lucky to still be on the pitch, as Grant seemed to be the last man. His punishment was a yellow card and a Town second goal. Liam Lawrence’s wonderful free-kick flew past Clarke.
Oxford may be left wondering how they did not achieve something from the match. But goals win games, and it was Liam Lawrence’s composure that has sent Town back up to second. They travel to Portsmouth next Saturday.
Attendance: 5,265 (359 away fans)
Team Line Ups:
Shrewsbury Town: (3-5-2)
1. Leutwiler, 2. Grandison, 5. Ellis (62), 6. Goldson, 12. Gayle, 4. Woods, 24. Grant, 11. Lawrence, 29. Sharpe, 26. Akpa-Akpro, 9. Collins (66)
Subs:
3.Demetriou (62), 10. Vernon, 16. Southern, 19. Mangan, 21. Halstead, 23. Barnett (66), 28. Mandron
Subs Not Used:
10. Vernon, 16. Southern, 19. Mangan, 21. Halstead, 28. Mandron
Oxford United: (4-4-2)
1. Clarke, 12. Baldock, 5. Mullins, 6. Wright, 3. Skarz (76), 29. Roofe (86), 14. Ruffles, 19. Collins, 11. McDonald, 9. Hoban (69), 10. Hylton
Subs:
7. Rose, 15. O’Dowda (76), 18. Ashdown, 22. Long, 25. Gnanduillet (86), 31. Roberts (69), 33. Dunkley
Subs Not Used:
7. Rose, 18. Ashdown, 22. Long, 33. Dunkley
Article by: Ryan Hillback
Other League Two Results:
AFC Wimbledon 1 – 0 Portsmouth
Accrington Stanley 2 – 2 York City
Bury 2 – 1 Northampton
Carlisle 1 – 1 Morecambe
Cheltenham 1 – 2 Exeter
Hartlepool 1 – 0 Mansfield
Plymouth 0 – 0 Newport County
Southend United 0 – 0 Cambridge United
Stevenage 0 – 1 Dagenham and Redbridge
Tranmere Rovers 1 – 4 Burton Albion