Living the dream: Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst plans to deliver on Wembley prophecy

Town welcome League Two Yeovil to the Montgomery Waters Meadow with the prize a place in the Checkatrade Trophy final at the national stadium against Lincoln City in April.

Hurst revealed that the mission to reach Wembley was something he had in his sights shortly into the job and maintained all season that Shrewsbury were in the often-maligned competition to win it. They now find themselves one step short, with Darren Way’s Glovers in between Town and just a fourth ever Wembley visit.

“I said from the start we had a chance, and a lot more realistic chance than you do in the League and FA Cup,” said Hurst. “That’s what we’re trying to achieve.

“You never know, you might never go again in the club’s history and I said last year that I wanted to take this club to Wembley. We’re one game away from achieving that. I’m hoping that I can fulfil that. It wasn’t a promise, but it was a dream, if you like.

“We’re very close to it and when you get that close – it can hurt if you don’t get there but I know how good it feels.”

Both clubs hope the freezing conditions will not get in the way of their semi-final clash, which is also broadcast on Sky.

Temperatures of below freezing were expected overnight and to continue into this evening. The club have had covers on the Montgomery Waters Meadow playing surface since last Wednesday. Visitors Yeovil, 17th in League Two, arrived at their Telford base on Sunday evening.

“They’ve prepared by coming up a couple of days before,” Hurst added. “That shows how seriously they’re taking it and how much it means for their football club to reach the final.

“They’re doing everything they can to give themselves the best chance. Let the best team win.”