Shrewsbury Town

Marcus Braddock takes his regular look back and forward at events at the Montgomery Waters Meadow

I can’t imagine that Shrewsbury Town is a particularly popular team in Morecambe at the moment as this weekend we beat their Under-18’s and their men’s first team by an aggregate of six goals to nil.

The men’s first team breezed past Morecambe in the F.A. Cup this weekend at Montgomery Waters Meadow. The League Two struggler's came with a slight upturn in form and showed that they can pass it about nicely enough but without injured top scorer Kevin Ellison they lacked bite. The game was pretty enjoyable, another clean sheet and goals from both of our wingers. A professional job where we didn't really need to change to top gear.

The under 18's took the lead in the opening minutes through Lifumpa Mwandwe and took the game to the young Shrimps as they struggled to get a hold of the game. With just over fifteen minutes gone, Tyrone Ofori took his chance well to make it 2-0. Morecambe made us wait for the third and fourth goals but charitably gave us the third with a trip on Aaron Gilpin which substitute Charley Higgs converted to make it 3-0. with the game beyond Morecambe, Ryan Barnett capped off a great performance with a confident shot that left keeper Oliver Jumcau no chance as it arrowed into the top corner.

This weekend brings us an away game at Milton Keynes who beat Maidstone 4-1 at the weekend to join us in the draw for round three of the F.A. Cup. The cups have been a bit of relief for fans of the Buckinghamshire team with the visit of Premiership Swansea in the League cup and an unbeaten record in the other two cups. Their league form hasn't been anywhere near as good and with just three wins and five draws at Stadium MK, I'm hoping we can return with a point or maybe more.

Before that, we have an away game at Port Vale in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night. Vale are currently skulking around the lower reaches of League two and have lost seven out of ten games at Vale Park. They're another team that seem to be enjoying the cup more than the league with unbeaten records in the F.A. Cup and Checkatrade Trophy. If we can get through to the next round, the thought of getting to the final becomes a serious prospect and it's about time we reached the latter stages again.

Today's excitement will come to a head at around 7 this evening with the draw for the third round of the F.A. Cup. Shrewsbury Town are ball number 50 and there are some very exciting prospects in the bag with us. I would like us to finally play spurs and will be hoping for their ball, number 40 at home or excitingly away at Wembley! Failing that, I'd be happy with any of the usual suspects of Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal et al.

The draw will take place on BBC2 at 7 pm after they've had a bit of a chat about the possibilities.

Finally, the Under 18's are in action against Wrexham on Friday at 11.00 at Shrewsbury Sports Village in Sundorne, whilst the Ladies take on Shrewsbury Juniors on Sunday after having their game at Leek postponed this weekend.