Squad players play their part amid A team’s struggles

Shrewsbury A’s stand-in players have been hailed for their contribution as the side goes through a challenging spell of results.

David Edwards and Richard Vernon were both among the stand out players as the A team were well beaten 4-1 by Newport Junior A last time out, writes Peter Kitchen.

Edwards came closer than anyone to winning a game as he pushed Malcolm Fletcher hard all night on board four, at one point missing a clear opportunity to win a piece before eventually seeing his attack fizzle out.

Dan Lockett, Shrewsbury A captain, said Edwards in particular had been on a fine run of form and performances, and thanked both players for ensuring a full team could be fielded and for more than holding their own.

And he said he hoped good times could be back around the corner if some of the club’s A team players who have been unavailable over recent fixtures are able to come back into the team for the pre-Christmas fixtures against Maddocks A and Darwinian Knights A.

Shrewsbury A started the season well with a 3-2 win at home to Oswestry A, but after a narrow defeat by the same score at Telford A they have since been well beaten by Newport A (5-0) and Newport Junior A.

Lockett said: “It was a filthy night to travel, and again we struggled to get a team together with an unavoidable late change.

“I’m very grateful that David and Richard stepped in. Both played well, and David seems in great form just lately, again pushing a good player and being unlucky not to win. So it’s a small positive.”

Shrewsbury would have gone into the fixture hopeful of picking up a much-needed win against their newly-promoted opponents.

Despite being the nominated “away” team, according to league rules junior teams play all matches at their home venue unless facing another junior team – so the A team had to make a second trip to Newport Royal British Legion in the space of two weeks.

Peter Kitchen returned to the side on top board, while Vernon came into the side on bottom board as Ivor Salter was on online duty for Shrewsbury Pirates.

There was a slight moment of confusion at the start of the match – having already declared their team, the juniors promptly swapped top boards Muhammad Qadri and Krish Thimmegowda after seeing the Shrewsbury line-up.

But once the match got started, the writing was on the wall from an early stage. Both Lockett and Mark Smith had made what turned out to be losing blunders by move eight, and there was no way back for either player.

Smith was swiftly dispatched by Waylon Chan on board three to give the juniors an early lead they would not relinquish.

After a long fight and spending much of the night under the cosh, Vernon eventually succumbed to Poluru’s relentless pressure as the juniors doubled their lead.

Shrewsbury’s hopes of getting back into the game rested with Kitchen and Edwards – but when Edwards was forced to accept a perpetual check the game was as good as up.

Kitchen agreed a draw with Qadri on top board, having played well on the black side of an Exchange Slav to keep the Newport youngster at arm’s length as he looked to capitalise on positional pressure during the middlegame.

Lockett fought bravely in an inferior position against opposing skipper Thimmegowda, but the Newport youngster confidently saw his advantage home to victory to seal a convincing win.

That result – coupled with league leaders’ Newport A’s statement 3.5-1.5 win over defending champions Telepost A on the parallel set of boards in the same room, briefly put the two Newport sides top of the table.

And it is clear that the newly-promoted juniors are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with and won’t be an easy game for any division one side.

Full scores (played at Newport, Shrewsbury colours in brackets):

Shrewsbury A 1-4 Newport Junior A

1.Peter Kitchen (b) 0.5-0.5 Muhammad Qadri

2.Dan Lockett (w) 0-1 Krish Thimmegowda

3.Mark Smith (b) 0-1 Waylon Chan

4.David Edwards (w) 0.5-0.5 Malcolm Fletcher

5.Richard Vernon (b) 0-1 Mohanaditya Poluru

The A team will next be in action away to Oakengates-based side Maddocks A on Thursday (November 20).