County opened October with a second away-trip under the lights in three days, and returned to winning ways with a two-goal victory at struggling Shrewsbury.
The Hatters’ first visit to The New Meadow in 13 years saw them secure a first-ever triumph at that stadium, and a first in Shrewsbury for nearly three decades, as goals late in each half from Ethan Pye and substitute Kyle Wootton propelled County up five positions to fourth, as well as preserving an unbeaten record in the campaign away from home.
Following more than 24 hours of constant rain, the Hatters took to the field on a mercifully calm, mild Shropshire evening, sporting their pink change-kit in a competitive fixture for the first time, and showing half a dozen changes from their starting line-up at Barnsley over the weekend. Tayo Adaramola, Callum Camps, Callum Connolly, Jack Diamond, Jayden Fevrier and Lewis Fiorini made up the recalled sextet – replacing Louie Barry, the injured Will Collar, Ollie Norwood, Tyler Onyango, Ibby Touray and Wootton.
Barry, Norwood, Touray and Wootton, meanwhile, were named among the County substitutes – along with Jay Mingi, making a welcome return to the squad after an injury lay-off of over five weeks.
The second-to-bottom ‘Shrews’, plying their trade in the third tier for a 10th consecutive season, included among the home starters midfielder Jordan Rossiter, who had spent time as a trialist with County during July.
The hosts earned the first corner of the night, with just under 10 minutes on the clock – after Pye had steered the ball past the right post as Tom Bloxham was poised to shoot. Mal Benning’s consequential delivery fell to Josh Feeney, who fired well over.
Five minutes later, at the other end, Tanto Olaofe connected with a Camps cross from the left to nod beyond the far upright. And shortly before the first half’s mid-point, George Lloyd’s diving header flew past the near post, following a Bloxham delivery at the right by-line.
Shrewsbury’s second corner – like the first, delivered from the right, but on this occasion by Funso Ojo – again found Feeney, who headed over. And just ahead of the half-hour, Leo Castledine went dangerously close, courtesy of a shot that deflected off Fraser Horsfall before narrowly clearing the crossbar.
With six minutes to go before the interval, the Hatters, having withstood some not-inconsiderable pressure at their end, broke to fashion an attempt themselves through Fevrier, who drilled just shy of the left post after being teed up by Fiorini.
And four minutes later, they were ahead, as the hosts failed to clear Fiorini’s free-kick into a crowded box – before Connolly laid the ball off to Pye, who fired into the top-left corner of the net for his second competitive goal as a Hatter.
HALF-TIME: Shrewsbury 0, County 1 (Pye, 43).
The new half was 11 minutes in before a chance of note transpired – with Fiorini threading the ball through to Diamond, whose eventual shot was parried behind by home goalkeeper Toby Savin.
Savin was – as it were – saving from Diamond for a second time in as many minutes, when he once again tipped an effort out for a corner. And, at the other end, Rossiter clipped County’s bar with a deflected, looping cross from the right by-line.
The Hatters, shortly after the hour, introduced a quartet of substitutes – including Wootton, who, seven minutes following his arrival, latched on to a Corey Addai goal-kick, and wove his way past two defenders – only for the shot to lack pace and be gathered up by Savin.
But Wootton was to make no mistake four minutes from time – converting County’s second from close range, after Horsfall, beyond the far post, had headed a Norwood corner from the left back across the goalmouth.
Barry stung Savin’s hands with an effort from distance, as the Hatters, with their advantage doubled, looked to trouble the scorers further – but, in the event, the game was safe, providing County with a first league win since the August Bank Holiday weekend.
FULL-TIME: Shrewsbury 0, County 2 (Pye, 15; Wootton, 86).
(4-4-1-1) Addai; Connolly, Horsfall, Pye, Adaramola (Touray, 63); Diamond (Mingi, 78), Camps, Bate (Capt.), Fevrier (Barry, 63); Fiorini (Norwood, 63); Olaofe (Wootton, 63).
Unused Subs: Hinchliffe, Mellon.
Booked: Pye, Horsfall, Adaramola, Bate, Camps, Connolly.
Attendance: 5,600 (1,104 away).
Reporter: Gareth Evans.
Photographer: Mike Petch.
