Shrewsbury have won their 66th Shropshire Senior Cup but they required penalties to defeat neighbours AFC Telford.
Messi, Suarez and Neymar were in action for Barcelona as they beat rivals Athletco Madrid, in the Quarter Finals of the Champions League. German giants Bayern Munich emerged victorious against Benfica by a goal to nil. Up and down the country in the Championship, key games were being played at both ends of the table. And in Leagues One and Two teams were fighting for survival.
But forget all that, our focus was on the Shropshire Senior Cup, as a blend of first team players and youngsters defeated Telford on penalties.
James Wesolowski captained the side, as he continues to recover from an ACL injury. The former Oldham midfielder scored a screamer to equalise with 15 minutes of the match left. Town handed a debut to Elliot Grandin, whilst Scott Vernon, Jordan Clark, Callum Burton and Ethan Jones all featured. There was also a surprise in the side, with Shrewsbury giving Scottish defender Jamie Hamill a chance to impress, after taking the Kilmarnock man on trial.
Hamill wasted no time in trying to make an impression. He found space in the Telford box, before trying to lob keeper Montgomery in the Telford goal. He reacted quickly to collect the effort.
Shrewsbury were given a wonderful opportunity to break the deadlock with 15 minutes on the clock. Ethan Jones fired a low cross into the path of Elliot Grandin. The former Marseille midfielder struck, but Montgomery parried to safety. The ball rebounded towards goal, but the Telford keeper snuffed out the danger.
His opposite number Callum Burton was called upon soon after. Reece Simpson was another man attempting to show the management team what he could do on his debut. Simpson attempted a venomous shot which Burton clawed behind for a corner. The set piece was delivered into the path of Mike Grogan whose powerful header was blocked by Burton.
The away side continued to bombard Shrewsbury with corners. Graham Hutchinson met another delivery but Burton was there to deny the Telford player.
Just before the half hour mark, Jordan Clark played a measured pass into Grandin. The Frenchman tried to apply the finish, but the ball hit the side netting.
Callum Burton denied Wilson before half time. Then a 25 yard strike crashed the bar, with Telford enjoying most of the play during the first period.
At the beginning of the second half, it was the away side who took the lead. Ex Manchester United striker John Cofie won a duel with Clark, he beat two players and drilled a low drive from 20 yards past Burton.
Wilson latched onto a long ball that went in behind the Town defence. Wilson bore down on goal, but Burton was there for a vital block.
Telford continued to pour men forward in search of a second. Cofie attempted a downward header but was thwarted by Burton.
However, Telford were punished for failing to convert in the 59th minute. Scott Vernon allowed the ball to trickle into James Wesolowski, whose barnstormer of an attempt from 25 yards flew past Montgomery.
Minutes later, Ethan Jones drove the ball into the path of ex Aberdeen forward Scott Vernon. A Telford player arrived in the nick of time before the striker could turn home.
The Bucks had the last chance of the contest. Wilson’s 25 yard dipping effort, was superbly tipped over by Burton.
These teams could not be separated, so penalties were required. Here is how the shootout occurred:
Telford: Wilson – goal
Shrewsbury: Vernon – goal
Telford: Dawson – goal
Shrewsbury: Grogan – goal
Telford: Reid – missed
Shrewsbury: Gallagher – goal
Telford: Grogan – missed
Shrewsbury: Clark – missed
Telford: McCarthy – missed
Shrewsbury’s youth team travel to Wrexham on Saturday – the first team go to Millwall. Telford are at home to Solihull Moors.
Team Line Ups:
Shrewsbury:
Burton, Bonner, Roberts (46), Wesolowski, Grogan, Clark, Hamill, Grandin (75), Vernon, E.Jones, M.Jones.
Subs: Butts (46), Gallagher (75), Hughes, Hassall, McAtee
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Hassall, McAtee
AFC Telford:
Montgomery, Reid, Brownhill, Dawson, Grogan, Hutchinson, Simpson (63), Wilson, Cofie (75), McCarthy, Clancy (63)
Subs: Wynter (63), Osei (75), Hibbert (63), Tilt, Campion
Subs Not Used: Tilt, Campion
Article by: Ryan Hillback
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