Town push the Championship side all the way in the Emirates FA Cup, Sean Goss second half goal sees tie through to a reply
City: Niki Maenpaa, Jay Dasilva (Callum O’Dowda, 59), Adam Nagy, Famara Diedhiou, Marley Watkins (Andreas Weimann, 59), Niclas Eliasson, Tomas Kalas (Nathan Baker, 74), Taylor Moore, Pedro Pereira, Han-Noah Massengo, Kasey Palmer.
Subs: Rene Gilmartin, Nathan Baker, Korey Smith, Callum O’Dowda, Andreas Weimann, Antoine Semnyo, Jamie Paterson.
Town: Joe Murphy, Aaron Pierre, Scott Golbourne, Ro-Shaun Williams, Ollie Norburn, Ryan Giles (Callum Lang 86), Donald Love, Sean Goss, Daniel Udoh (Shaun Whalley, 66), Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Josh Laurent
Subs: Cameron Gregory, Dave Edwards, Omar Beckles, Shaun Whalley, Callum Lang, Brad Walker, Jason Cummings.
Referee: John Busby
Assistants: Andrew Fox and Daren Wilding
Fourth official: James Durkin
First Half:
Despite tackling higher league opposition, Town started the game in positive fashion and managed a handful of shots at the Robbins goal. Daniel Udoh and Ryan Giles proved to be tough to deal with for the home side’s defence and looked continually dangerous on the attack.
An end-to-end game ensued as the clock ticked towards the 30-minute mark. The home side slowly grew into the fixture but Salop remained solid and looked to threaten the City back line at any given chance.
It was the home side that broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. Famara Diedhiou rose well in the Town box and managed to head an effort back across goal and into the far corner to give his team a first-half lead.
After notching the opener, City grew in confidence and were looking to break down Town’s back line. Joe Murphy was forced into a save with five minutes left in the tie. Kasey Palmer struck a powerful effort towards goal but Murphy covered the goal well to parry the ball away.
The home side went into the half time break with a one-goal advantage. Despite Town looking dangerous on the break, Sam Ricketts’ men were unable to notch an equaliser.
Second Half:
However, Town were able to secure an equaliser in the second-half and did so with just three minutes on the clock. Sean Goss picked up the ball on the edge of the box and struck the ball through a number of bodies to find the back of the net.
Ethan Ebanks-Landell was booked in the 51st minute for a foul near the edge of the Salop box.
Just five minutes later, Scott Golbourne was booked for a foul in a similar position.
Josh Laurent came inches away from putting Town in the lead with just over an hour on the clock. The midfielder picked up the ball on the right-wing and fired in a cross. Despite looking for a Town man, the ball flew towards goal but rebounded back out off the post.
Shaun Whalley almost made an instant impact when the forward was introduced to the game. Ollie Norburn slid in a great through ball but Whalley was unable to find the end product and the ball was cleared well.
With 5-minutes of normal time remaining Town made another chance, Ryan Giles came off to be replaced by Callum Lang who was making his first appearance for three months since picking up an injury.
With full-time approaching both sides were pushing for a winner, Town got into a number of good positions and when City did the Town defence and Murphy were holding strong.
The fourth official showed there would be four minutes of added time for either side to stop the game going to replay at the Montgomery Waters Meadow.
In added time Town had City pinned in their half with a string of corners, but despite causing problems in the home-sides box Town couldn't get the goal their performance probably deserved.
Full-time: 1-1