League footbal returned to St James' Park on Saturday 16th August. Fans were in the away end, a smattering of police were in attendance and queues were at the turnstyles. Yes City were back and a superb 4916 turned up to see it in dismal conditions.

City reverted back to the team that started against Darlington with Logan returning to the team and Craig McAllister reverting to the bench. The back 5 were Jones, Friend, Seaborne, Taylor and Tully. The midfield was Edwards, Harley and Gill with Logan, Stewart and Stansfield up front.

City started the match kicking towards the Blackthorn Big Bank in rainy and windy conditions. However despite the conditions City kept possession excellently and presented some slick passing moves. Within the first 5 minutes Friend had got beyond the full back on a couple of occassions and put in telling crosses. Both were well defended and led to corners for City. From the corners fell half chances to Logan and Stewart, both of which failed to hit the target.

City continued to dominate the first half and for all the neat and clever passing there were no clear cut opportunities. In the 20th minute City won a freekick about 25 yards from goal. Up stepped Ryan Harley to fire a shot destined for the top left hand corner and send the bank into raptures, however the impressive Daniels in goal for The Shrews pushed it onto the bar and off for a corner. From the resultant corner again delivered by Harley was headed onto the bar by Danny Seaborne.

From another corner city hit the bar for a 3rd time. A ball to the far post was expertly trapped by Harley, his first shot was saved by the defender closing him down and from about 10 yards at a slight angle Harley beat the keeper all ends up, only to see the shot crash back off the bar.

It was not all one way traffic in the first half, a poor touch from Seabourne let in Shrewsbury, but Jones was out quick and saved with his feet.

Coming out for the 2nd half it was clear that The Shrews had been given a talking to and they upped their game. The game was more finely balanced but City continued to pass and move but without creating many chances. Long range efforts from Gill and Friend did not threaten the goal too much. Stansfield found himself in on goal, albeit at an angle but dragged his shot well wide.

Then in the 70th minute there was the moment that all City fans were fearing. Murray picked up the ball about 30 yards from goal, advancing forward he was not closed down quick enough. When a couple of yards outside the area he launched a cracking drive inside the far post past Jones.

City then pushed forward looking for the equaliser, with Panther, McAllister and Basham coming on for Edwards, Stansfield and Logan. Friend launched a fizzing cross across the 6 yard box but no one had gambled on it. Harley had another chance from a freekick. From a very similar position as the one in the first half he beat the disintergrated wall only to this time see the keeper push the ball wide for a corner. From a corner City were denied by the woodwork again with Seaborne hitting the outside of the post with a header.

In the dying moments Shrewsbury played some lovely counter attacking football as City pushed further and further forward and they could have wrapped the game up but for some terrible shooting and some good defending.

The game ended at 0-1 and City lost the game, but they were certainly not outclassed. Shrewsbury have spent big this summer and were one of the favourites to be promoted, and on this performance there was little between the teams. City's defense was good except for the lack of concentration around the goal. Taylor and Seaborne marshalled their men well and the fullbacks go forward at every opportunity. The midfield was very pretty all match with neat passing and great ball retention, what was seen yesterday was really a big step up from the Conference performances. Up front there was a lot of running and a lot of work, but there were simply not enough tests for the oppositions keper. As for man of the match performances, well Harley and Friend have to be the contenders. Both have grown in stature and look more than confortable with League football.

The problems identified so far, and it is very early days, for the last 2 games we have created chances but not got efforts on target. The League has been shown to be more clinical than the Conference and that that is the biggest lesson so far. The 4-3-3 system provides great strength in the middle of the park, the downside is sometimes exposing the fullbacks and a lack of width when attacking, however this can easily be worked on, especially when Moxey is fuly fit, The problem for this game was a lack of shots on target, City had 16 shots and only 4 required any effort from the keeper. The dominance is underlined by the 61% possession and the 11 corners, but we did not threaten enough. Goals win games, and this match was a lesson in this. The signs are very promising though, with Shrews and Darlington being the favourites and we have more than matched them, but not got the points that we have perhaps deserved. We also have two future stars in Harley and Friend.

Next week we head to a team on minus points. Bournemouth who have managed 2 draws will also provide a tough test. A local game should see many City fans visiting in order to see how we get on, and you should be there. Not only to cheer on the lads, but to also watch some of the most attractive football played by a City team in years! You would be mad to miss it.