Shrewsbury v Manchester City Under-21s preview: Luke Waterfall had a big hand in Wembley success against Town
Luke Waterfall gives a hollow chuckle as the subject he has been anticipating is put to him.
The former Lincoln centre-half and captain, who now wears blue and amber, was key to the Imps’ Checkatrade Trophy success against Shrewsbury at Wembley in April.
He was part of a solid and resolute back four. More pressingly, as Town fans will well remember, was involved in a stonewall Shrews hand ball appeal from Omar Beckles’ header.
Town never got going and lost 1-0. It was Lincoln’s day on their first ever visit to the national stadium and more Wembley gloom for Shrewsbury.
When the joke ‘we’re not sure we can forgive you yet’ was thrown Waterfall’s way, he laughed: “I know what you’re going to say, the little hand ball wasn’t there!
“Obviously it wasn’t done on purpose. Looking back at the time I didn’t even know I’d done it, it was just a reaction.
“But on the video it’s a blatant hand ball. I got away with one.”
It wasn’t the only controversial call that day, as Waterfall then answers on striker Matt Rhead’s elbow on Dean Henderson.
“I know Rheady personally and he’s a big bear, I know it looks bad – I’ve seen the video – but he wouldn’t intentionally do that,” he added.
“He’s seen the keeper coming and put an arm up to defend himself. He’s not like that, he gets a lot of stick but he’s a good guy.”
Waterfall is, this time, about to start another EFL Trophy journey, this time with Shrewsbury – who tackle Premier League champions Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad at Montgomery Waters Meadow tonight.
For boss John Askey, it is the chance to give precious minutes to those who have not featured as often as others. A first win under the new boss’s stewardship would also help with some momentum. For Waterfall, April 8 at Wembley was one of the best moments of his career.
The defender continued: “It took the city by storm. The city of Lincoln has been right behind the football club, it’s gone from strength to strength.
“That day we took 20-odd thousand. It meant a lot to the people and you probably saw that on the pitch with the players.
“We got in front and spoiled the game a little bit, as Shrewsbury’s team might have done to other League One teams last year, being the underdog.
“They might have found that difficult, being favourites. We were resolute and hopefully that’s what we’ll be here.”
City’s next generation, who will travel from their multi-million pound, glitzy Etihad youth training campus are bound to be a tough prospect.
You wager that Pep Guardiola’s training, meticulous style and winning philosophy is synced down to the development squad at City.
Their boss Paul Harsley played for Macclesfield between 2004 and 2006, so will be known to Askey.
If City’s first two PL2 games of the season (6-5 against Arsenal and 6-4 against West Ham) are anything to go by, then tonight’s tie could be open. But are the early rounds arduous for players? An extra game they could do without?
Waterfall counters: “Maybe in the early round it’s seen as extra games but we always want to win. Last year we had a winning mentality as we will do here.
“Every game I want to win. Later in the rounds you start seeing Wembley near and it gets a bit tasty by the quarter-finals.
“I’m a winner, I always want to win, even when playing with my little boy at home.
Memory lane
Town earned an FA Cup fourth round home win against Malcolm Allison’s City in 1979. Paul Maguire and Bob Chapman netted in front of more than 14,000 at Gay Meadow.
Opposition boss
Paul Harsley:
“It’s still very early. We are really pleased with how it’s going, there’s loads still to work on, but we are up for the challenge.”
Key man
Lee Angol
Netted his first Town goal on his first start and another game tonight will help build up match fitness.
Dangerman
Nabil Touaizi
The 17-year-old Spanish-born forward, who is of English nationality, started the season is frightening form. He netted back-to-back hat-tricks in high-scoring games against Arsenal and West Ham. He has admitted to feeling in excellent shape, and credited that to the summer in the US with City’s first team.
Predicted teams:
Shrewsbury Town (4-3-3): Arnold; Bolton, Waterfall, Sadler (c), Beckles; Norburn, Colkett, Laurent; Whalley, Angol, Okenabirhie.
Subs: Kennedy, Grant, Docherty, Gilliead, John-Lewis, Barnett, Coleman (gk).
Manchester City Under-21s (4-3-3): Grimshaw; Rosler, Latibeaudiere, Ogbeta, Wilson; Pozo, Gomes, Bernabe; Matondo, Garre, Touaizi.
