Shrewsbury Town secure passage into the second round of the Emirates FA Cup with a 5-1 win over Stratford Town away from home.
Shrewsbury Town's afternoon in Stratford-Upon-Avon ended with Steve Cotterill's men progressing into round two of the Emirates FA Cup.
Despite Town conceding the first goal of the afternoon's fixture, the Shrews battled back and notched five goals against a determined Stratford Town to secure their passage into the next round.
Five minutes in, the home side managed to take the lead following a smart set-piece. The Bards found Will Grocott on the edge of the box from a corner and the Stratford captain was able to fizz a shot under Harry Burgoyne to give his team the opener.
Nathanael Ogbeta was the first Salop man to have a meaningful shot on target. Town's wing-back dribbled past his man and let off a curling shot towards goal. Despite beating the defender, Ogbeta couldn't beat the 'keeper.
Ogbeta was a continual threat on the left wing and his play offered Ryan Bowman a chance to level for Town in the 25th minute. The forward was in the right place at the right time and was able to tap home from close range.
10 minutes into the second half of the fixture, Bowman netted his and Town's second goal of the game to take the lead. A near carbon copy of the first, Ogbeta floated a ball towards the back post and Bowman was in the right place to tap home from a yard out.
The next meaningful action of the fixture came four minutes later when Luke Leahy found the back of the net with an emphatic shot from range. Leahy picked up the ball on the edge of the box and guided his effort into the top corner of the net.
Town took full control of the game and added a fourth a short time later. Elliott Bennett stood over a free-kick 20 yards out and fired his effort high into the top corner of the net - giving Liam O'Brien little chance to make the save.
A fifth came with seconds left to play as Tom Bloxham ran through the home side's defence to slot a wonderful finish across goal and into the corner to top off a strong Town second-half performance.
The teams:
The Bards: Liam O'Brien, Daniel Vann, Kynan Isaac, James Fry, Lewis Wilson, Jordan Williams, Jaanai Gordon (Enoch Andoh, 76) Will Grocott, Ashley Sammons, Ahmed Obeng (Owen James, 45+5), Will Dawes (John Power, 82).
Subs not used: Daniel Lafferty, Louis Beresford, Michael O'Regan, Karnell Chambers, Jack Turner, Caine Elliott.
Salop: Harry Burgoyne, Luke Leahy, Ethan Ebanks Landell, Aaron Pierre, Daniel Udoh (Sam Cosgrove, 85), Ryan Bowman (Tom Bloxham, 85), Nathanael Ogbeta (Khanya Leshabela, 88), Rekeil Pyke (Charlie Caton, 88), David Davis, Elliott Bennett, George Nurse.
Subs not used: Jaden Bevan, Josh Vela, Callum Wilson.
Officials:
Referee: Ben Toner
Assistant Referees: Paul Stonier & Ravel Cheosiaua
Fourth Official: James Bell
Bookings:
Shortly before the half-time break, James Fry was shown the first yellow card of the game for a foul on Dan Udoh.
