Shrewsbury Town 5 Manchester United 1 - in miniature
As far as dress rehearsals go it could hardly have got any better for Shrewsbury Town.
But instead of Jermaine Grandison and Mat Sadler taking on Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney it was just a friendly match between pupils at a Shrewsbury primary school.
Children from Belvidere Primary School, donned their footie kits to take part in a Shrewsbury Town v Manchester United match last Friday.
And the result was firmly in Town's favour, with the home side winning 5-1.
Steve Gray, Year 3 teacher at the school, took on the role of Shrewsbury Town manager Micky Mellon and said: "The children really entered into the spirit of the match. They couldn't wait to take part.
"We ran it as five-a-side match and then rotated each of the teams so they all got a chance to play. The children, who were in years three, four, five and six, really enjoyed being allowed to dress up in their kits for the day.
"When I asked them who wanted to take part lots of hands went in to the air.
"They loved playing in a proper game and I think a few of them will be going along to the match on the night. The game was played over 20 minutes with a referee and two assistants.
"I am over the moon with the result. I backed the team all the way.
"There was a great performance from both teams and the officials were exceptional. Salop Salop was cried around the Belvidere Meadow all afternoon."
Year 5 pupil Jack Davies-Jones, Shrewsbury captain for the day, said: "It was a fantastic result. We are looking forward to the next round."
Hat-trick hero and Year 5 pupil Tyler Roberts said: "It was a great performance, we moved the ball about well."
But Year 4 student Jimmy Weng, Man United captain, added: "I'm disappointed with the result. We didn't play that poorly."
Teacher Rob Crumpton, who took on the role of Man United manager Louis van Gaal, said: "Clearly we are disappointed. But there was some great football by Town. We are rooting for them now to go all the way."
Shrewsbury Town will be taking on the Premier League giants in the fifth round of the FA Cup at the Greenhous Meadow on Monday with kick-off at 7.45pm.
