SSC FINAL: AFC Telford 1-3 Shrewsbury Town
: James Caton SHROPSHIRE FA MAN OF THE MATCH
ATTENDANCE: 345
Fourth Official: A. Dean
Assistants: D. Hill & C. Hanna
: D. Gratton REFEREE
GOALS: Mike Grogan (41)
UNUSED SUBS: Jack Rea, Ian Sharps
: Callum Preston (GK)(James Montgomery), John Disney, Sean Clancy, Mike Grogan, Rod McDonald (Neill Byrne, 84), Josh Hancock (Sam Smith, 67), Danny Ventre, Jordan Deacey, Glenn Matthews, Adam Farrell, Ross Dyer. AFC TELFORD LINE-UP
GOALS: Caton (22), Jones (35), Ginnelly (45’2)
UNUSED SUBS: Harry Lewis, Tom King
(George Hughes), James Caton (C), Josh Ginnelly (Nathan Sheron, 87).
: Shaun Rowley, Jeff Watkins, Ben Burton, Alex Fletcher, Callum Grogan, Niall Flint, Ryan Hickman, Ethan Jones (Jordan Wilson, 84), Kaiman Anderson SHREWSBURY TOWN LINE-UP
FULL-TIME: AFC TELFORD 1 - 3 SHREWSBURY TOWN
The home side started to put the pressure and another goal bound effort was cleared off the line, this time Niall Flint denying substitute Sam Smith.
Town’s first change of the night came with seven minutes to go as Ethan Jones made way for Jordan Wilson.
Telford were within a whisker of getting back into the game when Grogan rose highest in the box to head towards goal and, after a deflection took it away from Rowley, Jeff Watkins was there to head it clear off the line.
Anderson then saw his curling effort land onto the roof of the net before Jordan Deacey almost set up a tense finish when he found space on the edge of the Town box, only to drag his effort wide.
Hickman’s impressive performance was almost rewarded with a goal when he rose highest from a corner but saw his header cleared from underneath the bar before Anderson saw his shot stopped by half-time substitute ‘keeper James Montgomery.
The home side were starting to force their opponents back and Farrell almost got himself on the score sheet when he broke free in the box before seeing his close-range effort bravely saved by Rowley.
No doubt stirred by some half-time words, Telford started the second-half on the front foot but it was Town who went close to extending their lead when Jones headed Ginnelly’s free-kick narrowly over the crossbar.
HALF-TIME: AFC TELFORD 1 - 3 SHREWSBURY TOWN
After receiving a pass from Alex Fletcher, there didn’t seem too much on for the 17-year-old. But a drop of the shoulder and some neat skill bought him the extra yard he needed to curl home a wonderful effort into the top far hand corner.
As the half entered into the final minute of stoppage time, Town struck a hammer blow through a Ginnelly wonder strike.
With the half drawing to a close, Ben Burton found himself in the right place at the right time to make a brave and crucial interception, with both Adam Farrell and Ross Dyer waiting to pounce.
With the deficit halved, Telford pushed forward and almost levelled when Ventre, who was only put into the starting line-up at late notice, saw his effort from just inside the box flash wide.
Ian Dawes’ side were looking good value for their lead but a superb cross from Danny Ventre was met by the head of Grogan who powered his header past Rowley.
Anderson was put clear from Ryan Rickman’s teasing ball over the top and, despite rounding Preston in the Bucks goal, unselfishly squared the ball to Jones who calmly passed the ball home.
The captain for the night saw a strike rightly chalked off for offside minutes before Town doubled their lead through Ethan Jones.
Town looked in control, with Caton looking particularly threatening in the final third.
Rowley had to stay alert to push away Josh Hancock’s effort amidst a scrambled penalty box before Caton wriggled free and unleashed a powerful drive that flashed dangerously across goal.
And Town should have doubled their lead moments later when Caton’s cross found Ginnelly at the far post, with the tricky wingers cross somehow managing to elude the waiting Anderson.
Ginnelly led the charge from deep inside his own half before playing in Kaiman Anderson whose delightful cross picked out Caton at the far post to tap home.
Town heeded the warning and took the lead through a well worked counter-attacking goal.
Just as Town started to get a grip on the game the home side showed how dangerous they can be when Rowley’s scuffed goal-kick is headed back into the path of Ross Dyer who slides his shot the wrong side of the post.
From the resulting corner Jeff Watkins met Ginnelly’s cross saw his header drift narrowly wide.
And their positive start should have been rewarded when Ginnelly and Caton linked up before the latter’s cross was diverted inches wide by Telford defender Rod McDonald.
It was a sign of things to come from the young Shrews who’s electric front three were causing the home side lots of problems.
But Town showed they’re attacking intentions when first-team pro Caton ran onto Ginnelly’s pass before cutting in and unleashing a powerful drive that on-loan ‘keeper Callum Preston palmed away.
AFC Telford started brightly as they looked to escape their dismal league performances with Josh Hancock fizzing a shot inches wide of Shaun Rowley’s post.
First-half goals from James Caton and Ethan Jones put Town in a commanding position and despite Mike Grogan halving the deficit before half-time, a wonderful Josh Ginnelly strike wrapped up the victory in first-half stoppage time.
A youthful Shrewsbury Town side put in a dazzling attacking display to win the Shropshire Senior Cup at neighbours AFC Telford.