Shrewsbury impress against Chelsea

A sold out Greenhous Meadow, greeted Town players with a rapturous applause at the start of play, as the club embarked on one of the biggest games in its history. It took an 83rd minute own goal, for the 2012 Champions League winners and current Premier League leaders, to see off a Shrewsbury team who deserve credit for their gutsy performance.

The first few minutes belonged to Chelsea, as the team in all yellow provided Town with an early scare. Brazilian international full back Filipe Luis, exchanged passes with the exuberant youngster Nathan Ake down the left hand side, winning a corner after Jermaine Grandison did well to prevent the ball entering the penalty area. From the resulting set piece, captain Liam Lawrence appeared to lose his bearings, as he headed the ball backwards across his own goal. Oscar seemed to have the simple task of diverting his effort past Leutwiler, but the talented playmakers attempt was heroically blocked on the line by Grandison. Predictably, Chelsea dominated possession in the early proceedings – but despite probing forward Town were able to see off the danger.

Shrewsbury won a series of early corners, and one of them almost gave Town an unlikely lead. The penalty box resembled a supermarket checkout, as four or five players formed a perfect queue in an attempt to bamboozle the Chelsea defence. The tactic almost worked, as a high and lofted corner from Liam Lawrence, was met by Nathanial Knight Percival with the centre half easily losing his marker Kurt Zouma. He powered a header down into the ground, and Cech was forced to parry on the goal line into oncoming traffic – Zouma made a vital intervention to clear his lines. The game started at a frenetic pace, with Shrewsbury growing in confidence. On loan midfielder Bobby Grant, showed some nimble footwork before firing a shot from twenty-yards, decent effort but the ball was always rising.

Charismatic Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho showed his frustration on the touchline, as a compact Town defence thwarted Andre Schurrle and Dider Drogba, catching the forwards offside on numerous occasions. Lifelong Chelsea fan Mickey Demetriou, seemed to be enjoying playing against his heroes, as a number of decent crosses resulted in yet more corners. Appeals for handball inside the Chelsea area mid way through the first half, were ignored by referee Neil Swarbrick. Liam Lawrence sent an accurate corner into the danger area, and Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma headed the ball towards Dider Drogba. It appeared to be a combination of chest and arm, yet on reflection a penalty would have been harsh.

Egyptian international Mohammad Salah, caused panic for Mickey Demetriou, as he glided past the full back, crossing low for Dider Drogba and the Ivorian put the ball in the back of the net. Fortunately for Town the linesman correctly judged Drogba as offside. The two teams went into half time level, with Shrewsbury still very much in this cup tie.

Undoubtedly Mickey Mellon’s half time team talk, would have consisted of praising his players and telling them to keep composed. Unfortunately, two minutes after the restart the favourites took the lead. Haphazard defending saw no-one pick up Salah, and he gleefully teed up Drogba, who effortlessly guided the ball under Leutwiler’s body with a side foot finish. Shrewsbury started to look nervous. World Cup winner Andre Schurrle sent a thunderous shot goalwards from thirty-yards, but Swiss goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler, produced a marvellous save to tip the ball over the bar.

Town managed to sort themselves out ten minutes later, and subsequently created a couple of chances as they searched for an equaliser. Akpa-Akpro was unmarked on the edge of the area, his shot was looking goal wards, but James Collins was unable to move himself out of the way and the ball ricocheted off him for a goal kick. Collins almost made amends, with his snap-shot forcing Cech to scramble across his area, but Collins’ effort went just wide. The supporters sounded their appreciation, as Town were taking the fight to Chelsea.

Dider Drogba, called Leutwiler into action once more, with the Swiss getting both hands behind the powerful front mans strike.

Moments later a shock was on the cards. Substitute Andy Mangan, sent the Shrewsbury faithful delirious. The forward had only been on the pitch for ninety seconds, but with ten minutes of normal time left, the dream was on. A corner from the right, evaded the Chelsea defenders, and Mangan arrowed the ball into the top corner of the goal. Cue ecstatic celebrations in the stands and on the touchline, Town had equalised against one of the best teams in Europe. Seventy league places separate the two sides, with Shrewsbury having just 1% of Chelsea’s over inflated wage budget. But somehow, someway, David was squaring up to Goliath and matching him in every department.

But elation soon turned to desolation. With seven minutes left in normal play, substitute Willian’s low cross bobbled in front of Grandison. With Drogba breathing heavily down the defenders neck, he tried his level best to clear the danger but could only divert the ball past the stranded Leutwiler, into his own net. It was cruel and harsh on Town, who had played magnificently and deserved to at least force the game extra time. The supporters were fantastic throughout the game, with both sets of players showing their appreciation at the final whistle. This will go down as a memorable cup campaign for Town, with the League Two promotion hopefuls knocking out three Championship sides – and coming agonisingly close to leaving Mourinho red faced.

Town will have another chance for a cup run this season, they were drawn away to neighbours Walsall in the first round of the FA Cup yesterday. The tie will be played on the 8th of November.

Team Line Ups:

Shrewsbury Town: (3-5-2)
1. Leutwiler, 6. Goldson, 2. Grandison, 20. Knight-Percival, 25. Grimmer, 4. Woods, 24. Grant (67), 11. Lawrence, 3. Demetriou, 9. Collins (75), 26. Akpa-Akpro

Subs:
5. Ellis, 7. Vincent, 10. Vernon, 16. Griffith, 19. Mangan (75), 21. Halstead, 22. Clark (67)

Subs Not Used:
5. Ellis, 7. Vincent, 10. Vernon, 16. Griffith, 21. Halstead

Chelsea: (4-3-1-1-1)
1. Cech, 31. Christensen, 5. Zouma, 24. Cahill, 3. Luis, 12. Mikel (80), 6. Ake, 8. Oscar (93), 17. Salah (80), 14. Schurrle, 11. Drogba

Subs:
10. Hazard (93), 21. Matic (80), 22. Willian (80), 23. Schwarzer, 26. Terry, 34. Baker, 37. Brown

Subs Not Used:
23. Schwarzer, 26. Terry, 34. Baker, 37. Brown

Article By: Ryan Hillback