Lockett believes A team can compete in top flight
Captain Dan Lockett admits he has “mixed feelings” about Shrewsbury A’s reprieve from relegation – but is hopeful his side can be more competitive in division one of Shropshire Chess League in the coming campaign.
The club’s first team skipper said he believed difficulties in getting a full-strength team out on a consistent basis contributed to an alarming drop off in form that saw the A team win one and lose nine of their final 10 matches to finish six points adrift of safety, writes Peter Kitchen.
But with potential new signings due to be confirmed imminently, Lockett believes the team can make a strong bid to finish with their heads above water this time around.
Preparations for the new season have not been helped with the departure of Francis Best – one of the few shining lights of last season losing just two of his eight games on top board – after he moved the area.
But despite expecting to line up in division two this season, the A team was handed a second chance when Maddocks B declined to take up their place in the top division having comfortably won division two last season.
With some of the impending new arrivals expected to help strengthen the first team, Lockett believes the team can put on a better showing in 2024/25, despite being somewhat torn on a personal level about their fortuitous survival.
“I have mixed feelings on the relegation issue,” he said. “We should probably have gone down, but if teams don’t wish to move up and replace us then fair enough.”
“I think as a team we struggled to get our team out with any consistency. Lots of people had other commitments last year.”
“We were lucky to keep Francis as long as we did with his delayed move as he scored well on top board, only losing two of his eight games. Likewise, Stephen Priestley on the lower boards lost only one of the 10 games he played.”
“It was great to have Peter Kitchen and Olusegun Ilesanmi available for most of the games too, so there are reasons to hope we might do better next year if we pick up a new player or two before the season kicks off.”
The A team started last season in spectacular style – after a narrow 2-3 home defeat against Newport A they then convincingly beat reigning champions Maddocks A 4-1 in their own backyard.
But they had to default their next match away to Oswestry A as they were unable to raise a side, and only avoided defeat once more – a 3-2 win at Telepost C on April 30.
A sorry season ended in ignominious fashion by a 2-3 defeat at home to bottom side Telepost C in June – a match where the hosts missed several opportunities but ultimately failed to win a board.
Despite their poor performance in the over-the-board league, there were positives for Shrewsbury A. They won the Shropshire Online League division one title for the first time on points difference ahead of Oswestry A and Oswestry B, and finished a competitive fourth in division one of Shropshire Rapidplay Chess League.
* The A team’s performance and those of other teams and the outcome of individual competitions will be among the issues discussed at this week’s annual general meeting. It will take place at Cromwell’s in Dogpole, Shrewsbury, from 7.30pm and all members are welcome.