Town: Joe Murphy, Aaron Pierre, Scott Golbourne, Ro-Shaun Williams, Ollie Norburn, Ryan Giles (Shaun Whalley, 68), Donald Love, Sean Goss (Jason Cummings, 88), Daniel Udoh (Callum Lang, 68), Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Josh Laurent.
Subs: Cameron Gregory, Dave Edwards, Omar Beckles, Shaun Whalley, Callum Lang, Brad Walker, Jason Cummings.
City: Daniel Bentley, Jack Hunt, Adam Nagy, Nathan Baker (Taylor Moore, 39), Josh Brownhill, Famara Diedhiou, Andreas Weimann, Niclas Eliasson, Jamie Paterson (Kasey Palmer, 66), Tommy Rowe, Ashley Williams.
Subs: Niki Maenpa, Jay Dasilva, Callum O’Dowda, Antoine Semenyo, Taylor Moore, Pedro Pereira, Kasey Palmer.
Referee: David Webb
Assistants: Sam Lewis and Akil Howson
Fourth official: Josh Smith
Attendance:
Team News: Sam Ricketts named the same team to take on The Robins as he did in the reverse fixture at Ashton Gate.
First Half:
From the outset, it seemed everyone in the Montgomery Waters Meadow were in for a thrilling 90-minutes of football. Within seven minutes, Joe Murphy had to fling himself across goal to save a powerful effort from Josh Brownhill. At the other end of the pitch, Daniel Udoh nearly found the target for Town with a curling effort but saw his well-hit shot blocked.
Aaron Pierre had everyone on their toes in the 19th minute. The defender ventured forward towards the opposition box and let off a powerful-driven shot towards the City net. Unfortunately for the Salop man, his effort darted narrowly wide.
Town’s defence were made to work as the half ticked towards the halfway mark. Ever dangerous Jamie Paterson drifted into Town’s box from the wide area to unleash a shot. Ro-Shaun Williams had to be aware and intelligently moved over to block the shot.
Sean Goss was shown a yellow card in the 30th minute for a foul just inside The Robins’ half.
Another yellow card was brandished just five minutes later. Jack Hunt fouling Udoh as Town broke up the pitch.
Udoh forced Daniel Bentley into a great save with five minutes remaining in the first period. The striker struck a bouncing ball and Bentley had to stretch across the goal to parry away the danger.
The half came to an end with the two teams all-square. Each side had chances but both men in the sticks performed well for their team.
Second Half:
A competitive half continued for both sides after the break. Ryan Giles continued to use his pace on the wings to trouble the City back line, and the winger did have success in firing balls into the danger area.
Town came inches away from taking the lead with 20-minutes to go. Callum Lang got on the end of Shaun Whalley’s cross but the keeper made a great save to deny Salop the opening goal.
The Shrews were pushing for the breakthrough goal and nearly got it after a goalmouth scramble. Despite Pierre connecting with the ball, the away side managed to clear the ball away from goal
.A counter-attack nearly saw the first goal of the game come in the last 10-minutes. Josh Laurent broke well at pace down the right flank but couldn’t find a Town man with his cross.
Town finally break the deadlick with just a minute to go. Aaron Pierre lashes a shot from distance to smash home for his team in the final minutes of the game.
City tried all they could to put pressure on the Town goal the home side dug deep to see them them through to the win and book a Fourth Round Emirates FA Cup tie with Liverpool.
Full-time: 1-0