Shawbury United boss Dave Richards full of praise for his cup heroes

The Midland Premier outfit pulled off a major upset in Wednesday’s final, held at Whitchurch Alport, beating Welsh Premier champions The New Saints 1-0.

Saints, the Oswestry-based side who have won the Welsh top flight six seasons in a row and lifted several cups along the way, put out a strong side but Liam Armstrong’s seventh-minute strike saw Shawbury claim the trophy for the first time in their history.

Richards’s men beat Haughmond at the quarter-final stage, Shrewsbury Town, after penalties, in the semis and had left-back Matthew Ballard in goal against Saints.

Understandably, it all has not quite sunk in yet for the Shawbury chief who said: “It was a tremendous achievement from our players, it really was.

“Our left-back, Matty Ballard, had to play in goal and we had a fair few important players missing.

“We played well against Haughmond and against Shrewsbury, and it was the same against The New Saints – we more or less matched all three of them all the way.

“TNS, to be fair to them, showed us a lot of respect by putting out a really strong side including internationals.

“So for our players to go out there and beat them, it is an absolutely massive achievement for the club.”

Shrewsbury have dominated the Senior Cup since its inception in 1877, winning it 66 times.

AFC Telford United have won it, as have defunct clubs Telford United, Oakengates Town, Bridgnorth Town and Oswestry Town.

“For a small club like us to be up there and winning the Senior Cup is huge – none of us can believe it, really,” said Richards.

“From the start of pre-season, the lads have been fantastic.

“Their motivation is not money or anything like that, they just want to go out there, work hard and enjoy their football, and they have managed to beat two pro teams.”

Shawbury were playing Wolverhampton Sporting in a friendly today, before their season starts with an FA Cup game at AFC Wulfrunians next Saturday.

“We start in the FA Cup and the teams we have played over pre-season, it is good preparation,” added Richards.

“We can’t just rest on what we have done though, we have to carry on with the same approach – hard work.”