Indeed they didn't and a glorious chilli was enjoyed
I even managed to finally meet Geoff Z's after many near misses and was shown Big Frank (not a euphamism) although I was told to call him Nigel
I did ask for a photo with Geoff but we just couldn't agree on terms so his anonymity remains intact. I also failed to get a picture of Blandford Phil's lucky retro shirt - but I daren't risk breaking the phone, even for 3 points
The ground was impressive with the tannoy blaring an array of 80/90's soft rock classics, somewhat spoiled by the DJ's inability to move from 1 song to another without a 10 second airtime gap
Indeed disappointing - but not AS disappointing as McQuoid warming up in a snood - as if he wants to make himself more conspicuous ...
I did however enjoy the use of nets for the AFCB warm up shooting - we need that at home games to stop the St John's Ambulance-men being overrun with Arter-esque injuries:
The game started brightly for AFCB with movement aplenty but just lacking some control of the ball
That was until the 4th minute when a Pugh Pitman 1-2 had Pugh scythed down for a penalty
Howe is sometimes criticised for not having a long term game plan. This was put to bed once and for all as it was soon realised that months before he'd clearly cloned Addison not once but twice and his proteges were now wearing 23 and 2 for the Shrews
They were the Shrewsbury Chuckle brothers, but no Shrews' fans were laughing now
It was 23, I think, that made the trademark clumsy challenge and once Pitman had hid the ball up his shirt until it was agreed that he could take the penalty, he strode up and confidently put the ball to the keeper's left 1-0
2 minutes later Arter was dispossessed as he tried to shepherd the ball out the last 40 yards and the ball was played back to he Shrews' best player, number 8, who had his fierce shot deflected wide
The half then descended into a very scrappy performance from both teams with few chances created but those that came fell to AFCB with shots from Pitman and Ritchie narrowly missing the mark
Cross of the half went to Francis who skied the ball so high Grabban had time to shave his beard off and grow another before he fell limply challenging for the ball
I am hoping that this does not become a pattern as when put through one on one he also fell over for no apparent reason - if his confidence is that low that he'd rather throw himself to the ground than shoot - I fear for him
HT 0-1
AFCB came out of the blocks quickly with Ritchie shot blocked well on 49 minutes but were forced to thank Cook's positional play a minute later as he headed off the line from their number 10
When I was a kid I had an action man that was called Stretch Armstrong that you could make talker by pulling feet and arms - this was their number 10
By the time he was subbed he was 14 feet tall with arms he could hug Willo (all the way around) with but I was grateful that threat was gone
On 51 minutes Grabban was denied another one on one chance as the keeper came out but his Jalal like distribution soon had the ball at Pugh's feet
Pitman took the ball off him 25 yards out an seeing no better option, went for goal
It was a curling effort that from the moment it left his boot looked like a goal and had the keeper flailing to his left but in truth he got nowhere near it
A fantastic strike - a wonderful goal from someone now notching his 8th in 7 games
On 59 minutes Grabban's pace had him through one on one again and despite being second favourite for the ball managed to knock it past the keeper and swing his chocolate kettle of a left foot at it - so weak that it was easily cleared for a corner
From that corner, Pitman flicked the ball on towards the goal and instead of clearing it, chuckle brother number two smashed it into the net
Now we all KNOW he's going to claim a hat-trick - but not even Derren Brown could pull that trick off
AFCB had several more good chances but couldn't quite top the performance off with a goal rush that might so badly be needed at the end of the season
As a contest, that was it. Shrewsbury resorted more to the long ball which was a shame as it nullified their 8 but the back 4 and keeper never looked in any danger
With 5 minutes to go Pugh was subbed for McQuoid - he'd had yet another below par game, but no-one deserves that humiliation , do they?
Summary - Without playing at their best, they were still way too good for Shrewsbury and although it's still not quite in their own hands - they did all they could do. It was as comfortable a win as you could hope for
Man of the Match - Pitman: huge performance all over the pitch and a sublime finish for the second
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