JON Obika scored the only goal of the game as Town beat Shelbourne 1-0 at Tolka Park in the first of their tour matches in the Republic of Ireland.
Luke Williams named a strong starting line-up against the Shels with Town lining up in a 3-5-2. Having made their first appearances for the club against Swindon Supermarine the previous Saturday, Conor Thomas and John Goddard kept their places in the side.
The tourists dominated the opening forty-five but couldn’t find the breakthrough in a first half. Jon Obika was denied by Greg Murray early on before seeing a shot strike the upright later in the half.
Thomas blazed over after creating a shooting opportunity and Goddard shot straight at Murray after a neat turn in the box. In between those efforts, Brad Barry almost made it two goals in two games; the full-back nipped in front of his opposite number before fizzing a left-footed effort inches wide of the post.
Nathan Thompson was also denied by Murray before the half was over.
Having been kept out by Murray in the first half, Obika was denied once again by the goalkeeper one-on-one. The striker shot wide a second time and Brad Barry fired off target before the tourists broke the deadlock. Obika used his considerable strength to hold off the challenge of the defender before lashing the ball into the top corner.
Luke Williams then made eight changes to the team and the new arrivals wasted no time in making an impact. Jermaine Hylton cracked an effort off the post before Jordan Young twice sent shots over the crossbar from outside the box.
Towards the end of proceedings, Will Henry produced a fine stop from close range as Town held on to record a win.
