League 2 soccer was scheduled for return on Saturday with 12 games scheduled for the afternoon. However, Shrewsbury’s clash with Bromley was temporarily suspended in the first half as officials had to change. The PA announcer was then forced to ask if there was a qualified referee sitting in the stands.
League 2 fans were able to see the team in league action for the first time since May as the new season rose and ran. There have been many delicious clashes in which Salford City (owned by a group led by David Beckham and Gary Neville) hosted Crew Alexandra. Elsewhere, Walsall welcomed Ian Holloway’s Swindon to the West Midlands. But beyond Shrewsbury, the action wasn’t flowing that freely.
Immediately after the halfway point in the first half, one of the assistant judges was injured and unable to continue.
The fourth official had to replace the assistant judge and found a warm-up on the bystander ready to intervene.
However, no one was able to take on the fourth official obligation, so the PA announcer had to request the assistance of a qualified judge from the attendees.
The player eventually left the pitch and returned to the dressing room while the search continued. The match finally resumed more than 10 minutes after the first play pause, with a new fourth official set up.
Shrewsbury returned to the fourth tier of English football after being kicked out of League One last season.
Shrews finished the bottom of the table after Crawley, Bristol Rovers and Cambridge United dropped the division down and won eight of their 46 games.
Meanwhile, Bromley enjoyed a decent campaign in League 2 as he finished 11th in the table after winning 17 league 2 games.
Neither side is expected to compete for promotion this season, and the MK Dons will be taking part in a new campaign as their favorite to win the title.
And ahead of the season’s opening game, Shrewsbury boss Michael Appleton spoke about his desire to transfer on his side when he told BBC Shropshire:
“If things happen and players leave to get minutes at other clubs, obviously we are trying to gain new driving forces for the group.
“You always have to prepare for players to leave – you can even get bids for your players – but I don’t think I’ll see a big move between now and September 2nd (transfer deadline) – but I think we can allow some work.”
