All square after normal time but Town win 3-2 on penalties
Town: Callum Burton, Joel Bonner, Callum Roberts (Jack Butts 46), James Wesolowski (c), Callum Grogan, Jordan Clark, Jamie Hamill, Elliot Grandin (Chris Gallagher 75), Scott Vernon, Ethan Jones, Mathew Jones
Subs: George Hughes, George Hassall, John McAtee
AFC Telford United: James Montgomery, Izak Reid, Kyle Brownhill, Lucas Dawson, Mike Grogan, Graham Hutchinson, Reece Simpson (Jordan Wynter 63), Josh Wilson (c), John Cofie (Ben Osei 75), Connor McCarthy, Sean Clancy (Dave Hibbert 63)
Subs:, Curtis Tilt, Darren Campion
Ref: Kevin Friend
Assistants: Ciaran Hanna and Mark Groves
Fourth Official: Blake Anthrobus
Attendance: 587 (192)
Town named a strong looking side for the Shropshire Senior Cup final against local side AFC Telford United. There were starts for pros Callum Burton, James Wesolowski, Elliot Grandin, Scott Vernon, Jordan Clark and Ethan Jones, as well as a run out for trialist Jamie Hamill,
It was a competitive opening to the game with both sides looking to take the early advantage. Town were seeing a lot more of the possession but Telford looked a strong and well drilled side.
Town's best chance came after some quick passing found the ball with Jamie Hamill in space in the Telford box, he tried a cheeky chip over Telford keeper Montgomery but he was alert and managed to get collect the ball at full stretch.
Town nearly took the lead on the 15 minute mark following good work from Ethan Jones to find the space down the right of the Telford penalty area, he got to the byline and drilled a low ball to find Grandin, he turned the ball goal wards but Montgomery was there to parry it, the ball looped up and rebounded back towards the goal but Montgomery was again there to deny Town.
Telford then countered and quick break ended with Reece Simpson firing in a vicious shot that Burton did well to turn behind. The corner was delivered nicely into the Town box and Mike Grogan rose well to delivered a good header in on goal but Burton was there again with an important block.
Telford looked dangerous from set-pieces and deliveries into the Town box and when another good delivery came into the Town box Graham Hutchinson rose well and got a good header in on the Town goal, but Burton was again in the right place to save.
Town's best chance came just before the half hour mark after Jordan Clark played a lovely ball in behind the Telford defence for Grandin to run onto, his pace took him to the ball and he nicked it past the out rushing Montgomery but the angle was just a little too tight and his shot went into the side netting.
Telford were creating a lot of chances but Town were managing to keep them at bay with some solid defending and some good keeping. Callum Burton was having a great evening in the Town net and was in the right place time and time again to pull of a number of good saves. There was a good chance for Wilson when the ball dropped to him in the Town box, he swung at the ball but didn't connect cleanly and Burton was there to block. Moments later an effort from 25 yards out beat Burton but the bar was there to save Town.
Half-time: 0-0
It was Telford who took the lead just after the restart, Cofie and Clark challenge for the ball midway in the Town half and it was the Telford man who came away with the ball, he kept his run going towards to goal and then hit a low shot across the goal that beat Burton and went in at the farpost.
Telford were creating the better of the chances and when Wilson got in behind the Town defence he was in one on one on goal, but Burton stood up strong and tall to pull off another important block.
Burton was the busier of the keepers and when an inviting ball was hung up high to the backpost Cofie was there again with a good downward header, but Burton was equal to it and was down quickly to pull off another great save.
Town were level on 59 minutes when good work down the left from Jones saw the ball crossed for Vernon, he let it run to Wesolowski who hit a superb 25 yard shot on the half volley that flew into the net to make it 1-1.
Moments later Town had another good chance and this came from the pace of Ethan Jones, he took on his marker down the left, turned him one way and then the other before drilling the ball into the nearpost for Vernon but a Telford foot got in first to nick the ball away.
With extra time approching both sides were looking to get something before the end of the half. It was a bit of a cagey affair though with periods of possession but nothing much in the way of either side bossing the game.
In the last minute of normal time the ball came to Wilson 25 yards from goal and he hit a lovely dipping volley but again Burton was there with a superb tip over the bar to deny Telford a late winner.
Full-time: 1-1
So with the scores tied after 90 minutes the game went to a penalty shoot out.
AFC Telford – Wilson – scored
Shrewsbury Town – Vernon – scored
AFC Telford – Dawson – scored
Shrewsbury – Grogan – scored
AFC Telford – Reid – missed
Shrewsbury – Gallagher – scored
AFC Telford – Grogan – missed
Shrewsbury – Clark – missed
AFC Telford – McCarthy – saved
And the impressive Callum Burton ended the game with another impressive save to tip McCarthy's shot around the post to see Town run out winners.