Shenley played second-placed Towcester Town Foxes in their last ever home game on a warm Sunday afternoon, looking for their tenth league win of the season.

Meanwhile, the Foxes were looking for their second win in a week after beating Moretonville 3-2 on Wednesday.

Team News
Shenley went into the game today without a few key players, namely Connor Dempsey, Ben Lynch, Freddie Rogers, Tom Beevor and Kyle Armstrong.

Manager Ian Orr made three changes to the starting XI, with Mitchell Brook, Damon and Joel Smith all coming back into the side.

Rohan Sawjani captained the side in his last ever appearance for the club.

Matthew Brown and Ollie Tanner were the substitutes.

First Half
Shenley started strongly and created several chances, the best of which was Joel Smith rocketing a shot against the crossbar early on.

The game continued and Shenley progressively grew into the game with Myron Auko pulling the strings in midfield.

On 14 minutes, a free-kick was played into the Towcester box and the ball was bumbling around. Finley Bodimeade's shot was heroically saved by a Towcester defender, giving away a penalty that Myron Auko effortlessly slotted in for his debut Phantoms goal.

A looping header by a Towcester player was heading into the far top corner, but defender Mitchell Brook headed the ball off the line to preserve Shenley's lead.

Myron Auko kept being fouled in the middle of the park. Eventually, the referee booked one of the Towcester players.

Shenley failed to defend a cross allowing the Towcester striker to equalise, making it 1-1 late in the half.

Shenley kept defending very well with the pressure steadily building. A volley from the edge of the box by a Towcester player rebounded off the crossbar.

Towcester then almost took the lead again via a long-range effort, but keeper Aly Khimani was equal to it.

In the last minute of the half, Myron Auko played the ball into the box from a free kick on the halfway line. The ball evaded everyone bar Finley Bodimeade at the back post, who volleyed the ball into the net via a deflection to restore the Phantoms' lead.

At half-time, Shenley were leading Towcester 2-1.

Second Half
Matthew Brown and Ollie Tanner came on for Jack Medley and Mitchell Brook at half-time.

Just two minutes in and the Towcester striker headed home at the back post, but it was flagged offside.

Shenley continued to preserve their slender lead with a solid defensive performance. A fierce volley from the edge of the box was straight at keeper Aly Khimani.

With just over twenty minutes to go, Jack Medley came on for Adam Gillespie to provide more protection to the backline.

Mitchell Brook came on for Matthew Brown and Shenley switched to a back 5 to see out the win.

With six minutes to go, Myron Auko had the ball on the left wing. He dribbled past a couple of players before passing to Finley Bodimeade. Finley picked out an onrushing Morgan Pugh at the back post with his pinpoint cross to seal the win.

At full time, Shenley got their 10th win of the season with a solid 3-1 win over Towcester Town Foxes.

Man of the Match
Congratulations to Myron Auko who won Man of the Match today for his midfield performance today.

Manager Ian Orr commented: "Myron had a really good game. He won a lot of free-kicks and really frustrated the opposition. Also took a great free-kick for Finley's goal."

"Defended well" - Reaction
Goalscorer Myron Auko: "Happy with the goal and assist but the team win was the most important thing today. I thought we defended well throughout the game and were clinical in the final third."

Midfielder Morgan Pugh: "I think we played really well and defended well as a team, but more importantly this win was for Rohan, a Shenley legend and leader."

Rohan Sawjani's Farewell
After the match, tributes poured in from the players after a captain's performance from Rohan in his last ever game for the club.

After joining the club in summer 2019, Rohan has been a constant presence in defence, playing the second most minutes out of any player this season.

Defender Mitchell Brook said: "Such a nice lad and a joke of a baller. It’s been class to play with you mate and the future's bright for you."

Top goalscorer Ben Lynch said: "Legend, captain but most of all a friend. It’s been a pleasure mate. All the best in the future buddy."

Top assister Connor Dempsey said: "Rohan - gutted I couldn’t be there to play on the same pitch as you for one last time."

Striker Freddie Rogers said: "Rohan - it’s been an honour playing alongside an MKDDL legend such as yourself."

Statistics

• Finley got his third goal of the season today and his first since September 2020
• Myron's penalty means that 18 players have either scored or assisted this season - everyone except Rohan, Matthew and Zakir
• Myron's penalty was also the Phantom's 50th league goal in 18 games this season
• Morgan is now the joint-third highest non-penalty scorer this season with 8 goals
• Shenley have now scored 9 out of their 14 penalties this season

What's next?
The Phantoms last ever match will take place on Wednesday evening against Moretonville Junior Tornados.

On the same day, Towcester will face Stewkley away from home.

On behalf of the team, I’d like to express my thanks to Richard Medley for being the linesman, Rob Gillespie for taking the videos, Tom Beevor for writing the match report and all the fans who came to support the Phantoms. Your support is very much appreciated.