Town secure a spot in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup with a win over Cambridge United.
Shrewsbury Town’s Emirates FA Cup journey got off to a perfect start with the Shrews securing a 2-0 win against an inform Sky Bet League Two Cambridge United.
Charlie Daniels and Brad Walker were the pair on hand to notch long-range goals as they helped Town secure a spot in the second round of the competition.
Town started the game with attacking intent and nearly earned a spectacular first-minute goal. A loose bouncing ball fell towards Marc Pugh and the forward let off a powerful volley. Unfortunately for Town’s front man, his effort cannoned off the crossbar.
Ro-Shaun Williams made an important block for the Shrews in the 18th minute. Idris El Mizouni was afforded space in the Town box but Williams cut across the box well to block the on-target shot.
Harry Burgoyne made a great reaction save four minutes later for his team. A corner ball came into Town’s danger area and the U;’s managed to get a man on the end of the ball. Burgoyne stuck out a limb to push the ball onto the bar from point-blank range.
Scott High was the next Salop man to cause problems in the U’s box. High got on the end of a well-worked cross from Pugh but was unable to generate any power on the ball to trouble shot-stopper Dimi Mitov.
Town were creating chances despite an even game. Pugh had the best of the opportunities as the forward nearly put Town in the lead in the final moments of the half. Pugh turned well to strike a bouncing ball but Mitov did well to parry the ball away.
Town came out for the second-half on the front foot and made pressure count within two minutes. Charlie Daniels picked up the ball inside the U’s final third and struck a powerful low shot into the corner of Mitov’s net to give Salop the breakthrough lead.
The home side gave Town a scare late on in the game. Hannant connected well with a shot from just outside the box but fortunately for Town, the ball kept on rising and cleared Burgoyne’s bar.
At the other end, Brad Walker made it two with a stupendous strike from distance. The midfielder lined up a shot from range and saw the ball nestle in the top corner of the net.
Walker’s contribution was the last meaningful action of the game as Town secured a spot in the next round of the competition.
United: Dimi Mitov, Kyle Knoyle, Jack Iredale (Tom Knowles, 77), Greg Taylor, Luke Hannant, Harrison Dunk, Robbie Cundy, Idris El Mizouni (Andrew Dallas, 76), Adam May (Wes Hoolahan, 66), Harvey Knibbs, Hiram Boateng.
Subs: Callum Burton, Harry Darling, Andrew Dallas, Wes Hoolahan, Leon Davies, Tom Knowles.
Town: Harry Burgoyne, Ro-Shaun Williams, Brad Walker, Aaron Pierre, Charlie Daniels, Scott High, David Edwards (Ethan Ebanks-Landell, 82), Ollie Norburn, Josh Daniels (Ryan Barnett, 68), Daniel Udoh, Marc Pugh (Matt Millar, 90).
Subs: Deyan Iliev, Matt Millar, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Sean Goss, Ryan Barnett, Shaun Whalley, Jason Cummings.
Referee: Peter Wright
Assistants: Ian Smedley and David Hunt
Fourth official: Oliver Mackay
Bookings:
Dan Udoh was shown a yellow card for a pullback in the middle of the pitch.
Greg Taylor was shown a yellow card in the 65th minute for kicking the ball away after a stoppage.
Ollie Norburn was shown a yellow card for clipping the heels of a U’s midfielder in the 78th minute.
