FA Cup: Shrewsbury Town 5 Aldershot 0 - Report and pictures

Five-star Town hit five past their beleaguered visitors, including a scintillating second-half spell of three goals in six minutes.

They could have had more, but in a week where boss Paul Hurst has been linked with the higher reaches of English football, his side showed glimpses of effortless attacking that could grace any stage.

Man of the match Alex Rodman, Shaun Whalley, Stefan Payne, Arthur Gnahoua and Carlton Morris all got in on the act as Town shared the spoils around on what could have been a potential banana skin with results going for non-league sides up and down the country on first round day.

Analysis

Hurst’s first win as Shrewsbury boss came at this stage last year, as Town eased beyond League Two Barnet.

The run only went as far as a second round replay reversal at Fleetwood. While Town fans still hold memories of recent FA Cup adventures under Micky Mellon.

Town’s current chief paid full respect to the side 56 league places below them, ninth in the National League. Hurst admitted Football League sides could have posed as tougher opposition, and named a strong side.

Four changes from the first league defeat of the season last time out at Peterborough, as Craig MacGillivray, Mat Sadler, Bryn Morris and Stefan Payne were all in from the off.

MacGillivray’s place between the sticks came somewhat of a surprise, with on-loan Manchester United shot-stopper Dean Henderson not granted permission from Jose Mourinho’s Old Trafford club.

Omar Beckles, Alex Rodman and Payne all featured against their former side. The pair have competed in some memorable occasions, namely the FA Cup fifth round in 1979 and the 2004 Conference play-off final - with Town winning both.

Aldershot supporters played a pivotal role in making the 56 places look minimul in the early stages, comfortably out-singing the home crowd with some boisterous chants. Aside from Bernard Mensah’s wayward header, Gary Waddock’s visitors were unable to profit from a purposeful start.

Instead the hosts grew in stature and began to enjoy their football. Ex-Shots men Rodman and Payne combined for the game’s first real chance as Mark Smith was on his toes in the visiting goal to keep out top scorer Payne’s header.

Frenchman Fabien Robert drew a low save from Craig MacGillivray before the hosts’ attacking prowess shone through.

Payne passed up a gilt-edged chance when sent clean through by Jon Nolan as Smith read his attempt to round the goalkeeper, but moments later it mattered little.

Play was recycled and Joe Riley sent in an inviting deep cross where Rodman accepted the invitation and headed down and comfortably in from close-range for his fourth goal of the season.

It eased any lingering blue and amber nerves in the stands as Hurst’s men went for the kill. Payne, battling hard against the physical Aldershot defence, sent a delicious slide-rule pass from the left flank towards Rodman, who scampered into the visitors’ box.

Rodman touched the ball beyond Smith and the winger’s trailing leg was caught by Shots’ custodian, with referee Ross Joyce allowing himself plenty of thinking time before pointing to the spot.

Town’s man on the spot Whalley stepped up to bury his third spot-kick of the season down the middle of Smith’s net - also taking his season tally to four.

The devastating five-minute spell did not fully deter the positive visitors, who continued to attack and look lively, particularly down Town’s left.

The red-shirted Rec outfit could not connect to a Shamir Fenelon cross, while the talented and nimble Robert blazed just wide of MacGillivray’s near post after waltzing through three challenges.

MacGillivray caught the eye of Town fans. With no Henderson, he proved a more than capable option with a couple of outstanding aerial claims in the opening period.

A positive first period ended nervously as Nolan limped off to be replaced by Arthur Gnahoua before the break. The schemer had picked up a knock towards the end of last week’s defeat at Peterborough.

Despite an early Mensah scae in the second period, the home side regained the initiative and looked menacing when bursting forward over the halfway line.

Toto Nsiala was proving an immovable object in the Town backline and he almost helped himself to a goal but Smith did well to deny his header from a corner.

But the Shots were powerless to withstand the barrage that came their way after the hour.

On 63 minutes, a superb team move - started by B Morris - sent Whalley scampering away and the winger unselfishly squared for Payne to gleefully tap in his eighth goal of the season.

Three minutes later it was substitute Gnahoua celebrating his first competitive Montgomery Waters Meadow goal. A Payne cross was retrieved by the excellent Rodman, who embarrassed his marker before cutting the ball back low for Town’s Frenchman to expertly guide into the top corner.

Hurst’s blood-thirsty men weren’t done. The boss sent on Norwich loanee C Morris for Rodman, and after barely 30 seconds the powerful frontman got in on the act, slotting home expertly off the bar after Whalley’s ball sent him clear of Shots’ high defensive line.

It could and should have been more. C Morris swept a finish just wide of the post while bearing down on Smith before the same man smashed over.

B Morris, C Morris and Ben Godfrey could have added further goals but Town were more than satisfied without another display of relentless attacking football.

Key Moments

7 - Bernard Mensah can only help Adam McDonnell’s free-kick way over Craig MacGillivray’s goal.

8 - Alex Rodman lifts a superb cross towards Stefan Payne as the ex-Aldershot men combine and Payne’s cushioned header is parried away by Mark Smith.

17 - Payne sent clear by Jon Nolan, has Alex Rodman alongside him but opts to try and round Smith - the goalkeeper reads it well.

19 - Town GOAL!!! Rodman gobbles up an inviting Joe Riley cross at the far post to nod down and in.

23 - Penalty. Town’s tails are up and Rodman is magnificently found by Payne before Smith catches the winger’s trailing leg.

Shaun Whalley makes it 2-0 as he buries the spot-kick down the middle.

43 - Excellent effort from the impressive Fabien Roberts, beats three Town men before firing wide.

47 - Mensah is well found by McDonnell but, at a tight angle, can only fire wide at the near post.

63 - GOAL! 3-0. Payne nets at the far post with a tap in following Whalley’s unselfish pass.

66 - GOAL!! 4-0. Arthur Gnahoua guides one into the top corner after fine Rodman skill on the left.

69 - GOAL!!! 5-0. Carlton Morris finishes superbly via the crossbar with his first touch since entering as a sub.

Teams

Shrewsbury Town (4-1-4-1):

MacGillivray; Riley, Nsiala, Sadler ©, Beckles; Godfrey; Whalley, B Morris, Nolan (Gnahoua, 45), Rodman (C Morris, 67); Payne (Dodds, 81)

Subs not used: Gregory (gk), Bolton, John-Lewis, Adams.

Aldershot (4-2-3-1):

Smith; Alexander, Evans, Reynolds © (Fowler, 68), McDonnell; Kellermann, Oyeleke (Rowe, 68); Robert, Mensah, Fenelon (Gallagher, 68); Rendell.

Subs not used: Skinner, Okojie, Arthur.

Referee: Ross Joyce

Attendance: 3,859 (420 Aldershot fans)

Star man - Alex Rodman