Contrasting emotions as derby delight followed by a tumble to the bottom

From the ultimate high to a crushing low – it’s been a real rollercoaster of emotions for Shrewsbury A over the past two weeks.

A tremendous triumph in the big county town derby against Telepost A breathed fresh life into the A team’s survival bid – only for a heavy 4-1 defeat in the bottom-of-the-table clash away at Oswestry A to send them back to the foot of the table.

But with just one point separating the entire bottom half of the table ahead of the A team’s home clash with Telford A this week, there’s still all to play for in the bid to stay up, writes Peter Kitchen.

Shrewsbury have been hamstrung by the absence of key players since the turn of the year – regular top board Peter Kitchen missed both fixtures due to family commitments, while Shane Greenwood has also been absent owing to work commitments.

The As rose to the occasion against Telepost A, repeating last year’s 3.5-1.5 scoreline in the same fixture – and again coming from behind to do so.

Olusegun Ilesanmi lost swiftly to Nigel Ferrington on top board. But Stephen Priestley secured a fine draw against Fred Bench on board two to get the hosts on the board, before Shrewsbury cleaned up on the remaining three boards with wins for Mark Smith, captain Dan Lockett and David Edwards.

But the trip to Oswestry proved a step too far. With Ilesanmi also unavailable, Priestley stepped up to top board and Lockett moved back up the order to board two, with Ian Davies coming in on bottom board.

They had their chances – Lockett had a promising position before subsiding to defeat against Rudy van Kemenade, and Davies had a draw turned down against Julie van Kemenade before making a key error in a level position to lose. Edwards also lost in a long endgame against home captain Adrian Bailey on board four.

Ultimately, Mark Smith’s fine win over the experienced Richard Bryant on board three proved only a consolation as the hosts won the remaining boards.

The result meant Oswestry leapfrogged Shrewsbury on points difference. But the pair are just one point adrift of Darwinian Knights A and Newport Junior A.

Third placed Telford – just three points above Shrewsbury – roll into town on Wednesday with both sides looking for points to steer clear of the drop zone.

Full scores (Shrewsbury colours in brackets):

Shrewsbury A 3.5-1.5 Telepost A

1.Olusegun Ilesanmi (b) 0-1 Nigel Ferrington

2.Stephen Priestley (w) 0.5-0.5 Fred Bench

3.Mark Smith (b) 1-0 John Westhead

4.Dan Lockett (w) 1-0 Peter Crean

5.David Edwards (b) 1-0 Vinnie Crean

Average ratings: Shrewsbury A 1710 ECF; Telepost A 1743 ECF

Oswestry A 4-1 Shrewsbury A

1.Robert Clark 1-0 Stephen Priestley (w)

2.Rudy van Kemenade 1-0 Dan Lockett (b)

3.Richard Bryant 0-1 Mark Smith (w)

4.Adrian Bailey 1-0 David Edwards (b)

5.Julie van Kemenade 1-0 Ian Davies (w)

Average ratings: Oswestry A 1851 ECF; Shrewsbury A 1665 ECF