Shrewsbury Town

Boss praises five-star Shrewsbury
Boss Gary Peters feels Shrewsbury still have room for improvement, despite their 5-0 demolition of Boston. \"The division might take notice now as we've beaten Boston who beat Darlington so heavily last week,\" he said. \"As we've beaten them so convincingly, people may look at that, but I don't think we are fully in our stride yet. \"We dominated the second half and it could have been a bigger scoreline, but overall that might flatter us as we weren't that good in the first half.\"

Burton puts club before country
Shrewsbury Town defender Sagi Burton has decided not to accept his debut international call-up. The 28-year-old was selected to represent St Kitts-Nevis in next month's Caribbean Cup. Burton's participation in the tournament would have led to him missing Shrewsbury's games against Hartlepool and Darlington. Manager Gary Peters held talks with the Burton before he decided to put club before country.

Birmingham 1-0 Shrewsbury
Sebastian Larsson was Birmingham's match-winner for the second time in four days as he hit the goal which put them into the Carling Cup second round. The on-loan Arsenal midfielder was set up for his 83rd minute winner by Gunners team-mate Nicklas Bendtner. City made 10 changes from their last match but still dominated with Shrews keeper Chris MacKenzie twice denying both Neil Danns and Mikael Forssell. Ben Davies had Shrewsbury's best chance but Colin Doyle blocked his shot. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Birmingham: Doyle, Larsson, Jaidi, Martin Taylor, Gray, Kilkenny, Clemence, Muamba (Kelly 81), Danns, Forssell (Campbell 66), Jerome (Bendtner 66). Subs Not Used: Maik Taylor, Painter. Booked: Danns, Gray. Goals: Larsson 83. Shrewsbury: MacKenzie, Herd, Hope, Burton (Sharp 80), Hogg (Leslie 58), Edwards, Sorvel, Hall, Davies, Asamoah, Symes (Langmead 75). Subs Not Used: Cadwallader, Esson. Att: 12,428 Ref: J P Robinson (E Yorkshire).

Peters proud despite cup defeat
Shrewsbury Town boss Gary Peters has praised his team despite their 1-0 Carling Cup defeat by Birmingham. \"I was proud of the players as they worked their socks off and gave a great account of themselves,\" Peters said. \"We had a couple of chances and if we'd put one of those away then who knows what might have happened. \"In the end that was the best possible result for us as we didn't have to go into extra time which might have affected us for Saturday.\"

Bristol Rovers 1-0 Shrewsbury
Lewis Haldane's first-half strike condemned Shrewsbury to their first league defeat of the season. The striker burst through the middle of a square defence to shoot low past Ryan Esson in the 21st minute. Shrewsbury forced just one save of note from Steve Phillips, who blocked Derek Asamoah's 36th-minute effort. Rovers might have added to their lead but Richard Walker headed wide, Esson saved well from Haldane and Sammy Igoe was inches off target with a volley. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bristol Rovers: Phillips, Ryan Green, Anthony, Hinton, Lescott, Sandell (Carruthers 78), Disley (Campbell 71), Hunt, Igoe, Walker, Haldane (Rigg 86). Subs Not Used: Shearer, Elliott. Booked: Hinton. Goals: Haldane 21. Shrewsbury: Esson, Herd, Hope, Burton (Drummond 65), Ashton (Leslie 76), Davies, Sorvel, Hall, Edwards, Asamoah, Langmead (Cooke 45). Subs Not Used: MacKenzie, Hogg. Booked: Ashton, Burton, Cooke, Hall. Att: 4,774 Ref: A Marriner (W Midlands).

Symes departs Bantams for Shrews
Shrewsbury have completed the signing of Bradford striker Michael Symes who had been on loan at Gay Meadow, reports Sir Stanley. The 22-year-old, who has been struggling with a slight hamstring strain, has impressed boss Gary Peters during his brief stay at Gay Meadow. He has now been handed a contract until December by Peters. Symes began his career at Everton, and started just six league games during his two years with Bradford.

Peters ponders new Langmead role
The return of Shrewsbury strike-pair Andy Cooke and Glyn Hurst from injury is seeing fellow front-man Kelvin Langmead being groomed as a defender. Manager Gary Peters was impressed with Langmead's performance at centre-half in the reserves' 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion on Monday. \"He was the best player on the pitch,\" Peters told Sir Stanley. \"His centre-back role is something we've looked at in training, and he's played there for the reserves.\"

Shrews move quickly for Humphrey
Shrewsbury Town have snapped up teenage winger Chris Humphrey from West Brom. Humphrey was out of contract with the Baggies but played for their reserves against Shrewsbury on Monday and caught the eye of Shrews boss Gary Peters. Peters has now secured the services of the 18-year-old on a 12-month contract and told his club's website: \"He is very quick and gets crosses in the box. \"This is an impulse signing but I don't need to see a player like that too many times to know he's got ability.\" Meanwhile, Humphrey told Sir Stanley: \"I don't see this is as a backward step from West Brom. \"This is definitely a forward step, for me to establish myself as a first-team Football League player.\"

Shrewsbury 0-1 Lincoln
Lincoln secured their fourth away win in a row at Shrewsbury with a goal from midfielder Lee Frecklington. Frecklington grabbed his chance in the 28th minute when Jamie Forrester's pass split the home defence and he scored at an angle from 20 yards. Shrewsbury missed a chance to equalise just before the break when they were awarded a debatable penalty. Lincoln goalkeeper Alan Marriott sent Ben Davies sprawling, but he sent his spot-kick crashing against the bar. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shrewsbury: Esson, Burton (Edwards 45), Hall, Langmead, Ashton, Herd (Humphrey 79), Drummond, Sorvel, Davies, Cooke, Asamoah. Subs Not Used: MacKenzie, Hogg, Hurst. Lincoln City: Marriott, Beevers, Moses, Morgan, Mayo, Eaden (Amoo 89), Frecklington, Kerr, Hughes, Stallard, Forrester (Ryan 78). Subs Not Used: Rayner, Cryan, Gritton. Goals: Frecklington 29. Att: 4,083. Ref: M Haywood (West Yorkshire).

Stockport v Shrewsbury
color=blue>Stockport defender Michael Bowler is back in contention after being rested for the defeat at Boston. Hatters boss Jim Gannon is also waiting on several players with minor knocks. New signing from West Brom Chris Humphrey could make his full debut for Shrewsbury after coming off the bench against Lincoln. Richard Hope has recovered from a calf strain, but fellow central defender Sagi Burton has failed to shake off a calf injury.

Shrews discipline pleases Peters
Shrewsbury Town boss Gary Peters was delighted with his team's discipline in Tuesday's 3-0 away win at Stockport that included an Andy Cooke hat-trick. \"Games don't get much better than that, the way the lads played with so much discipline pleased me,\" he said. \"We did play good football at times but it was the discipline, shape and Cookey's finishing that pleased me. \"It was a good hat-trick from Cookey and it is also nice to have two goals from free-kicks.\"

Hartlepool v Shrewsbury
Hartlepool have Joel Porter pushing for a place after he scored twice against Mansfield having come on as a substitute in midweek. But Jon Daly and James Brown may still get the nod, while defender John Brackstone completes a three-match ban. Shrewsbury are likely to keep the same side that won 3-0 at Stockport. Andy Cooke hit a hat-trick and is set to be partnered up front once more by Derek Asamoah, while winger Chris Humphrey could return on the bench.

Rochdale v Shrewsbury
Rochdale hope to have Mark Jackson back after a thigh injury caused him to miss the midweek win against Wrexham. James Sharp played in midweek despite suffering from tendinitis and an Achilles injury but reported no adverse effects and should be involved again. Shrewsbury boss Gary Peters could be tempted to hand Andy Cooke a starting spot after the striker's recovery from a groin injury. The Shrews have a \"nearly fully-fit squad\", according to a club spokesman.

Shrews boosted by Davies return
Shrewsbury Town expect to have midfielder Ben Davies available for Saturday's trip to Peterborough. The 25-year-old missed Friday's 2-1 win over Macclesfield after suffering an ankle injury during training. \"Ben is heading in the right direction and he looks on track for the weekend,\" said Shrewsbury physio Rachel Greenley. \"It was a disappointment Ben missed the game on Friday but there was no point strapping him up and putting him out as he could have caused more damage.\"

Peterborough v Shrewsbury
Peterborough could be without winger Jamie Day (calf) while Dean Holden and Ben Futcher are also struggling. Guy Branston is suspended, so Mark Arber could return to the starting line-up after his goal against MK Dons. Shrewsbury striker Derek Asamoah has returned after spending the last two weeks on international duty with Ghana. Ben Davies is back in training and is available for selection despite doubts over his fitness following an ankle injury suffered earlier in the week.

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