Match Information
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Shawbury United 0-1 Winsford United
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When: Saturday 28th September 2024
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: The Shawbury Utd Community Sports and Recreational Centre, Carradine Road, Shawbury, Shropshire SY4 4PB
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Competition: North West Counties Football League First Division South
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Attendance: 125
I always aim to visit newly opened Non-League grounds during each football season.
I’ve already reported for 888sport back in August on my expedition to Cray Wanderers’ launch at Flamingo Park.
I am targeting the new Truro City stadium for later in the current campaign whilst Cambridge City are not quite ready yet with their new home.
However in the Shropshire region, Shawbury United’s freshly unveiled Community Sports and Recreational Centre is up and running so I set off on a 300 mile round trip to take a look.
This brings to an end many years of groundsharing for Shawbury at Wem Town FC, Ludlow Town FC and the community artificial pitch next to Shrewsbury Town FC.
Shawbury itself is a village of 2,900 residents based eight and a half miles north-east of Shrewsbury.
I was worried about travelling to the area since I had seen mind-boggling online video footage of extensive rain flooding just down the road at AFC Telford United’s stadium only 24 hours beforehand.
But thankfully Shawbury remained unaffected. There were no traffic delays on the M1, M6 and M54 motorways, therefore I arrived two hours ahead of kick-off.
A huge contrast to my preceding groundhop where severe hold-ups on the A1 meant I didn’t reach Washington FC until 10 minutes prior to the start.
Ground Description
The initial competitive fixture here was on Saturday 10th August 2024 resulting in a 3-0 defeat versus visitors Cammell Laird (attendance 191).
Shawbury’s amenities are more than adequate for the present Step 6 ranking amongst our national Non-League Pyramid.
A 200 yard long car park leads to the entrance. Two identical 50 seater prefab grandstands sit on one side of the floodlit pitch displaying the club’s black and white colours.
Meanwhile, a totally original concept features an old bike storage shed being converted into covered spectator standing accommodation behind one goal.
Furthermore, the spacious clubhouse has been adapted from renovated portacabins.
What I really liked were the four outside pitches and a training zone adjoining the main North West Counties League playing surface.
These additional facilities can host Shawbury United’s 250-plus players in teams at all age levels bringing a buoyant community feel to the whole place.
Previously, their youth sides were scattered at multiple sites across the village with a lack of available toilets and changing rooms.
Programme Details
A 16 page production on sale at £1.50p via the entry hut.
Contents included the histories of both teams, latest NWCL results & fixtures, junior section news, line ups and the detailed ground regulations.
The Match
It was 15th opposing 3rd in the NWCL First Division South confines.
Shawbury United are experiencing their inaugural season in this competition having switched from the Midland League Division One under continuing Non-League restructuring.
Weather conditions were mild but breezy so I dusted off my big football coat for the first time in 2024/25.
Winsford United dominated for lengthy periods and anyone possessing football betting and live betting knowledge would’ve fancied an away win early on in proceedings.
Although the breakthrough didn’t materialise until two minutes past half-time when Dan Kerr deftly headed down and into the corner following a flighted right flank free-kick.
Shawbury enjoyed decent spells beyond that without finding an equaliser.
The game was played out against a very unusual backcloth of loud and repeated gunshot sounds because military training took place simultaneously at the almost adjacent RAF Shawbury base.
The People
Everyone I met at Shawbury United was extremely friendly.
In particular, club official Dai Martin afforded a warm welcome on arrival before giving me a fascinating guided tour of the new complex.
A word of praise too for assistant referee Mark Watson. As I mentioned in my TalkTV broadcast on Sunday night, an over-excited player began loudly moaning at him for making a decision. But Mark calmly replied: “Come and see me afterwards and I will explain it to you.”
This pacified the player completely and he said: “Sorry lino, I over-reacted!” Great work by Mark which instantly led to mutual respect on the field. I believe he is also vice-chairman of the Chester Referee Society.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
