Checkatrade Trophy: Shrewsbury Town 1 Yeovil 0 - Report and pictures

Paul Hurst’s men created yet another chapter in this stunning campaign by downing League Two Yeovil 1-0 in the Checkatrade Trophy semi-final.

Town will face Lincoln City at Wembley on April 8.

Morris powered a header in midway through the second period to seal Shrewsbury’s place.

The talk going into the last four tie was the talk of a small crowd, with Town opting to leave the West Stand closed, but just over 4,000 fans made for a roaring atmosphere.

The much-maligned competition had seemed to split the Town fanbase. The crowd lower than previous semi-final contests in this competition former guise.

An attendance of 5,212 watched Town against Bristol Rovers at this stage in 1996 while 6,273 saw them tackle Carlisle in 2003.

Hurst decided to shift Ben Godfrey from his usual midfield role out to right-back. Town were without James Bolton (ankles) while like-for-like replacement Luke Hendrie was cup-tied.

Shrewsbury’s one change from their last game, 10 days ago in an impressive League One success at Charlton, was Bryn Morris who slotted into Godfrey’s midfield role.

Town were keen to end a poor run of form at Montgomery Waters Meadow. Four straight league games without a Meadow win read their record going into the tie, but Hurst’s men had found some impressive form on the road with four wins.

Yeovil, strugglers in League Two this term, have been no strangers to giant-killings this season. They have put paid to five League One clubs in the Checkatrade Trophy and FA Cup this season.

Darren Way’s men went all the way to a fourth round glamour Cup tie with Manchester United.

For a side that has been left frustrated by snow, without a fixture in 10 days and five days off from training last week - Hurst’s men looked sharp in the opening exchanges.

Jon Nolan will have been disappointed to see his first-time strike fly high and wide after fine play on the break from Carlton Morris and Alex Rodman inside 120 seconds.

C Morris then saw an effort from just inside the box blocked well by Omar Sowunmi as Town showed a glimpse of the quality that has put them 39 places higher than the visitors, in the higher reaches of the third tier.

But Way’s men were not in Shropshire to make up the numbers and despite not threatening Dean Henderson’s goal, the Somerset club possessed some dangerous and willing runners in attack.

The Salop crowd responded well to lively Town attacks. The hosts switched play and knocked the ball about with confidence, pulling the Glovers this way and that.

Yeovil grabbed something of a foothold before Town upped the ante on half hour and sent waves of attacks to the visitors’ goal. A packed penalty area saw Shrews frustrated as they struggled, at times, to get a strike at goal.

Hurst’s men were impressing down the left flank with Omar Beckles and Rodman heavily involved. B Morris raked crossfield passes over to the left side.

Despite significant territory in the opposition box, Shrews had only a number of cleared crosses and a Godfrey’s blazed off target after attractive build-up.

The first-halves’ only effort on target was a tame Francois Zoko header at Henderson.

Whalley went closest yet for Town within five minutes of the re-start. His well-struck volley from a Rodman cross zipped inches wide of the opposite upright.

A more open second-half, buoyed on by a boisterous and expectant atmosphere led to more efforts on target but no real improvement in composure.

Hurst’s men continued to look the more likely and they had their precious goal 25 minutes from the end.

As ever this season, Whalley’s right foot was the source, whipping an inch-perfect left-sided corner in and there was Morris - timing his run to perfection and crashing a header low inton the net.

His ninth goal in Shrewsbury blue and amber. A 15th assist of the campaign for Whalley.

Yeovil’s attempts to rally were a couple of strikes from the lively Zoko but Shrewsbury went largely untroubled and continued to look a threat at the end.

Nolan was a calming influence in the middle of the pitch, with Beckles a standout contributor - including a stunning clearance minutes from time - and skipper Abu Ogogo was busy as ever.

The Glovers’ moment arrived a minute into four minutes added on as Otis Khan jinked through but there was Henderson, with a strong left hand keeping his side on track for the final.

Sub Nathan Thomas cracked the post in the dying seconds but Town were there. The full-time whistle brought a pitch invasion.

Que Sera belted out from the home crowd as C Morris was afforded a standing ovation as he booked his loan side a Wembley ticket.

Teams

Shrewsbury Town (4-1-4-1):

Henderson; Godfrey, Nsiala, Sadler, Beckles; B Morris; Whalley, Nolan (John-Lewis, 90+4), Ogogo, Rodman (Thomas, 69); C Morris (Payne, 82).

Subs not used: MacGillivray, Lowe, Gnahoua, Eisa.

Yeovil Town (4-3-3):

Maddison; Whelan, Sowunmi, James, Dickson; Bird, Gobern (Surridge, 45), Smith; Khan, Zoko ©, Green (Browne, 50).

Subs not used: Phillips (gk), Mugabi, Fisher, Donnellan, Santos.

Referee: Darren Drysdale

Attendance: 4,118 (299 Yeovil fans)