Shropshire Star

How Shrewsbury made it to a Checkatrade Trophy Wembley final date against Lincoln

With Shrewsbury Town booking their place at Wembley for the Checkatrade Trophy final, we take a look back at just how Salop passed through the competition.

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Coventry 2-3 Shrewsbury

Group E

Tuesday, August 29

Riley’s return (AMA)

Step forward Joe Riley.

The right-back, who looked set to exit Montgomery Waters Meadow in January, returned from injury in style to convert a stunning added-time free-kick at the Ricoh Arena.

Stefan Payne and Arthur Gnahoua struck for Town, who had James Bolton sent off, before the Sky Blues launched a comeback.

Shrewsbury 3-0 West Brom Albion Under-21s

Group E

Tuesday, October 3

Dodds beauty (AMA)

A comfortable evening in front of a crowd of 1,404 against the Premier League’s under-21 outfit.

Lenell John-Lewis, Carlton Morris and Louis Dodds were on target for Paul Hurst’s men who dictated the tie and won at a canter against an extremely young Albion side containing mostly 16 and 17-year-olds.

Dodds’s late strike was the pick of the bunch.

Shrewsbury 0-1 Walsall

Group E

Tuesday, November 7

Amadou Bakayoko nets against Town

Town required just a point to finish top of Group E – and secure a supposedly kinder draw for the first knockout stage – but things did not go to plan in front of 1,701 spectators.

With Jon Nolan missing with a hip problem, Shrewsbury struggled to get going and create meaningful openings.

Ben Godfrey’s harsh red card made things worse late on but, after a 90th-minute winner from Amadou Bakayoko, following young Christos Shelis’ error, Hurst was smarting.

The boss slammed the ‘rubbish’ performance and questioned the commitment of his players.

Port Vale 1-2 Shrewsbury

Round of 32

Tuesday, December 5

Joy in Burslem (AMA)

A relatively kind draw for Town but the League Two Valiants were ahead after barely 30 seconds as Cristian Montano’s shot slipped through Craig MacGillivray.

Town rallied and went close in the first period but it was Burslem old-boy Dodds who grabbed the headlines.

The Vale legend finished sweetly to haul Town level midway through the second half before Shaun Whalley netted a late rebound to clinch the win in front of 117 away fans.

Shrewsbury 0-0 Blackpool (4-2 on pens)

Round of 16

Wednesday, January 10

Deano delight (AMA)

Town enjoyed a narrow 1-0 league victory against the Seasiders a few weeks prior to this last-16 tie that came in between Shrews’ headline FA Cup meetings with West Ham.

A Town side including John-Lewis, Bryn Morris, Gnahoua and Dodds struggled to break down a resolute Blackpool outfit in front of 1,362 fans.

The tie went to penalties and Town ran out 4-2 winners with John-Lewis, Bryn Morris, Payne and Riley netting from the spot.

Shrewsbury 2-1 Oldham Athletic

Quarter-final

Tuesday, January 23

Payne and Rodman netted against Oldham (AMA)

Stefan Payne struck after just 16 seconds as Town wasted little time in this last-eight clash in front of 1,984.

It was not to prove routine though, as the Latics drew level through Aaron Holloway in the second period.

But sub Alex Rodman had the final say.

After connecting to a fine Nolan flick, the winger fired a precise effort into the bottom corner two minutes from time.

Shrewsbury 1-0 Yeovil Town

Semi-final

Tuesday, March 6

Semi-final match-winner Morris (AMA)

Carlton Morris was the hero as his header guided Town to Wembley. Hurst’s men have delivered on their target of reaching the national stadium.

The boss had eyed up success from the outset and, in front of a crowd of 4,118, Town did the job against handy League Two opposition.

Morris’ header from a Whalley corner midway through the second half sealed the win.

Lincoln City await at Wembley on April 8.