Coach Delighted With SSC Success
“He’s another one who hasn’t been getting a great deal of minutes lately so to come in and perform like that – I think it’s great for him.”
“I thought in the first-half Callum Burton kept us in the game. I thought at half-time it could have finished 4-4 it was that type of game but I thought he was great.
And Dawes was equally delighted that his youngster showed tremendous character in taking the crucial spot-kicks adding; “It’s always interesting when it comes to a penalty shoot out seeing who wants to take a penalty. I think they took a lot of belief and confidence from the game. I’m made up for Callum Grogan because I thought he was outstanding throughout and thought he deserved that.
We’re coming up to a difficult time at the end of the season and at least he’s put himself in contention to go and start games again.
“It’s been a really tough time for him and to get him back on the pitch; you could see the lift it gave the fans, the gaffer and the chairman just seeing him out there.
“James is the same every time he plays; he’s 100% and always gives everything for the team. It was great to see him back out there with the team and he looked like he really enjoyed himself.
One of the games major talking points was Wesolowski’s strike from 30-yards, as the Australian took another big step on his road to match fitness following his recovery from a second cruciate ligament tear.
“I thought today was a different game where we had to battle and stay in the game and I thought we’ve done that. At times, flashes when we were going forward we looked threatening and fully deserved the equaliser I thought.”
He said: “I think they took a little bit of belief and pride from last season (cup win) to understand that they could go out and get a result because we were a young side last season and we probably played better last season with the ball and attacking wise.
This was Ian Dawes’ second Shropshire Cup Final victory having led his youngsters to glory at the New Bucks Head last season and he believes the confidence gained from that performance played its part tonight.
“Compared to them today, they’ve got a lot of experience in the side and, particularly at the back, we’ve got a lot of young scholars in there and I thought they stood up to the challenge really well and it was a great performance and they’ll be miles better off in their career for it.”
“I know it’s a final and everyone wants to win but as well as it being a great win for the club and the fans, who really enjoyed it, it’s a great experience for some of our younger players.
“I thought it was a good exercise for everybody,” said Dawes, who had only Wesolowski, Scott Vernon, Elliot Grandin and Jordan Clark from the first-team.
Town held their nerve during the shoot-out after Mike Grogan and Connor McCarthy missed their spot-kicks as Dawes’ side made it back to back Shropshire Senior Cup success.
John Coffie’s 46th minute strike had given the Buck’s a one-nil lead at Greenhous Meadow before James Wesolowski’s thunderous strike ensured it would take penalties to decide the winners of the competition.
Youth Team Manager Ian Dawes was full of praise for his young Shrewsbury side who lifted the Shropshire Senior Cup after defeating neighbours AFC Telford United.