Sam Ricketts reflects on Town's 2-0 win over Mansfield Town.
Shrewsbury Town welcomed Mansfield Town to the Montgomery Waters Meadow for the second-round of the FA Cup.
Two goals in the last 10 minutes from Josh Laurent and Brad Walker secured the win for Salop and secured a place in the third-round of the competition.
Town manager Sam Ricketts was pleased with his teams’ performance against the Stags, despite Town going down to 10 men in the early stages of the second-half.
“I am delighted at getting through,” said Sam. “I thought we were good all game, in the first-half we just couldn’t get that final shot or pass.
“We got into really good situations a couple of times, and then in the second-half we started well. Even after going down to 10 men, we were outstanding – the best we played all game.
“We pinned them down in their own half, had really good patterns of play and were patient when we didn’t have the ball. Even with 10 men, we could have scored three or four but we managed to get the two.
“Josh is loving goals at the minute, he is really stepping up - he’s finally getting into those positions. He has got such good energy to get into the box and now he’s scoring - I am really pleased for him.
“You always want your substitutions to make an impact, and Daniel Udoh certainly did that today. All the subs we made, made a difference. It shows that they are ready and willing to get on and do their bit.
“Brad took his goal really well, he showed good pace to catch Daniel up. He finished it very calmly, I am delighted for him.”
Sam is looking forward to the third-round draw and hopes the club can benefit from a run in the competition.
“We will have to wait and see the draw,” said Town’s manager. “All of the lads are in there asking who they want to draw. You get the usual reaction of wanting the big teams.
“A few of the lads want another tie where we have a good chance of going through again. I’m sure all the fans and the players will be watching the draw to see where we end up.
“We are run fantastically well and are self-sustained but an FA Cup run would be a good way of being able to spend a bit more without putting the club at risk.
“The competition is really important, so what I will ask is that we are on TV so we get more revenue. We are in a good space when it comes to cup games at the moment.”