Shrewsbury Town secure passage into the third round of the Emirates FA Cup with a 2-1 win away from home over Carlisle United
Shrewsbury Town's Emirates FA Cup second round fixture away from home with Carlisle United ended with Town securing passage into the third round of the competition.
Tom Bloxham and Ryan Bowman were the duo on hand to ensure Town left the north with the win.
Town started the game on the front foot and enjoyed an abundance of running room in the home side's half. That pressure early on counted as Tom Bloxham was able to strike Town into the lead in the 10th minute. The forward was able to latch onto a deflected Salop shot and our number 18 made no mistake in striking the ball through the Carlisle defence and into the back of the net.
Despite Town taking an early lead, the home outfit did have positive spells in the Town half. However, the Salop back five were able to block out any dangerous advances and limited the Cumbrians to distance shots and early crosses. A common theme throughout the first 45, Salop looked equally, if not more, dangerous on the counter-attack.
The second half ensued with similar patterns of play emerging. Both teams had moments in the opposition half but nothing to worry either shot-stopper. Marko Marosi was calm and composed in claiming the majority of the home side's crosses.
In the 78th minute, Ryan Bowman hit the back of the net to seemingly put the tie to bed. Town's forward latched onto an inch-perfect through ball from Dan Udoh, slid the ball onto his right foot to beat the man and slotted a powerful effort into the corner of the net.
However, the game wasn't done as the home side pulled a goal back through Jordan Gibson. Into added time, the forward made a run and towards the box and was able to slot the ball into the back of the net.
Despite the late scare, Town remained resolute and saw the game out to secure passage into the next round of the competition.
Attendance: 2794 (351)
The teams:
United: Mark Howard, Kelvin Mellor (Danny Devine, 27), Jack Armer, Rod McDonald, Callum Guy, Zach Clough (Jordan Gibson, 35), Brennan Dickenson (Sam Fishburn, 62,) Tristan Abrahams (Manassee Mampala, 62), Morgan Feeney, Corey Whelan, Brad Young (Taylor Charters, 62).
Subs not used: Gabriel Breeze, Jonathan Dinzeyi, Lewis Bell, Jack Ellis.
Salop: Marko Marosi, Luke Leahy, Ethan Ebanks-Landell (Josh Daniels, 20), Matthew Pennington, Josh Vela, Dan Udoh (Sam Cosgrove, 85), Ryan Bowman, Nathanael Ogbeta (Charlie Caton, 85), Elliott Bennett, Tom Bloxham (Khanya Leshabela, 89), George Nurse.
Subs not used: Harry Burgoyne, Callum Wilson, Ben Kaninda, Kade Craig.
Officials:
Referee: Samuel Barrott
Assistant Referees: Daniel Woodward & Paul Newhouse
Fourth Official: James Bancroft
