Match report  

Wem were to be the final hurdle for Town in their journey to qualify for the Vitality FA Cup, after two strong previous performances against Walsall and Westfields, Shrewsbury’s momentum was up in this competition. But this was to be the toughest challenge the team had faced so far this season with Wem Ladies playing in a league two above Town. 

Wem 24/10/21  

Wem started off the game strong, immediately threatening Shrewsbury’s defence. Town were forced to defend deep, having to prevent multiple attacking threats created by the visitors. Leanne Rimmer and Brogan Cook played a pivotal part in the opening 10 minutes at centre half stopping Wem having a chance at goal. 

Shrewsbury eventually were able to win back possession and create an attacking opportunity. It was clear that Town were going to create their chance in the game through counter attacks. Their first chance came from just that, after a good display of defending from Milly Potter Town were able to counter against Wem, a long ball was played past the Wem defence which allowed Maddie Jones the opportunity to break through on goal, she went to square the ball across to Zoe Child but Wem cleared the danger 

Shrewsbury created a great phase of play, Maddie Jones found herself through on goal again, she attempted a pass across the goal to assist Zoe, it ended up past Zoe but she was able to keep the ball in. This allowed time for more both teams to come and support the attack, Zoe with some quick feet was able to create herself enough space to play the ball to the edge of the box for Maddie Jones who fired a shot towards the bottom right corner, but the keeper was able to stop the shot. 

Shrewsbury continued to stay resolute at the back as they prevented any attacking threat Wem tried to create. The ball is repeatedly played down Shrewsbury’s Left side but full-back Milly Potter did a great job at stopping the attack and initiating the counter attacks for Town. 

Maddie Jones created more problems for Wem as she was played through on goal again, this time she fired a shot that is parried wide by the keeper, it’s another great chance for town that could have put them ahead in this game.  

Paris Schofield displayed impressive control in midfield in the opening quarter of the game, dropping back to support the defence and being a key link in the passing chain when creating attacking chances. Paris found herself in the middle of the pitch and picked out Maddie Jones with a perfectly weighted pass, with the assistance of Maddie’s pace she is able to get one on one with the keeper and converts the shot to give Town the lead. 

23’ – Maddie Jones assisted by Paris Schofield  

Shrewsbury 1-0 Wem 

Both teams continued to create dangerous chances in each half, Wem were looking to respond quickly to going a goal down, but Shrewsbury’s ever impressive defence continued to stop their chances and keep their composure in tight situations. 

Wem tried some long through balls to disrupt Town’s defence, using their quick wingers to get in behind the Shrewsbury back-line, Town continued to play well with an organised defensive line which caught the Wem players offside every time they tried a through ball. 

Maddie Jones from deep in the Wem half used her quick agility to make her way through the Wem backline again putting her through on goal where she put the ball in the back of the net, doubling the lead for Town.  

35’ – Maddie Jones 

Shrewsbury 2-0 Wem 

Wem were once again on gthe backfoot, but continued to not look demoralised by the score, they found themselves with a free kick in the Shrewsbury half, it was curled into the box forcing some impressive defensive clearances from Town, this excellent defending. 

 A missed clearance from town allows Wem the opportunity to shoot from close range in the box, it looks to be a certain goal for the visitor’s but Phoebe Carter makes an outstanding save to keep the clean-sheet alive for the hosts.  

Half-Time  

Shrewsbury 2-0 Wem 

Second half and both teams started strong showing clear desire to not waste time and crack on with the second half to get the result they both want, Wem stringed together some nice passes but failed to get past the defensive line, Shrewsbury were able to counter attack and create shooting opportunities but none troubled the keeper. 

Captain of Shrewsbury Liv Minshall plays an amazing through ball for Maddie, who runs it too the by-line, she then picks out Zoe in the box and squares it across, Zoe easily finishes into the top of the net to make the lead three for Town. 

60’ – Zoe Child assisted by Maddie Jones  

Shrewsbury 3-0 Wem 

Wem started to look slightly more demoralised as their opportunities kept being stopped and Shrewsbury continued to break through their defence to continue testing the goalkeeper.  

Wem won a free kick around 35-yards out, it seemed too far of a distance to shoot from, but Wem try their luck with a powerful low driven kick that finds its way to the bottom left. Corner of Shrewsbury goal. 

75’ – Wem Goal 

Shrewsbury 3-1 Wem 

Shrewsbury initially responded well to Wem getting a goal back as they looked to make sure they couldn’t get back into the game, Shrewsbury pressed the Wem defenders to try and force a mistake from the tiring visitors. The work pays off for Town as Zoe Child continues to press Wem which leads to a poorly weighted pass back to the goalkeeper, Zoe was able to get round the defender and has a chance at goal, but unfortunately the Wem goalkeeper is able to close the gap and block the shot before it became a real danger. 

Shrewsbury find themselves under constant pressure from the visitors who don’t give a second for the home team to breathe, this saw Shrewsbury having to clear the ball multiple times out of there box. One attempted clearance is fumbled in the box and left a space for a Wem player to easily score and make the gap smaller. 

79’ – Wem Goal 

Shrewsbury 3-2 Wem 

Shrewsbury made three subs within their final ten minutes of the game to bring some fresh legs on the pitch. 

Shrewsbury finding their composure again to be able to stop Wem from getting a shooting opportunity at goal, with an impressive performance from the home team’s defence clearing chances for throw-ins and corners. Wem controlling most of the possession deep into the Shrewsbury half it forcing every individual Town player to help support the defence to hold off to the final whistle. 

With seconds left to the game Shrewsbury kept clearing the ball and playing for time as much as possible, substitute Jess Walley played a pivotal role in the final seconds making challenge after challenge around the half-way line keeping Wem away from the box which saw Shrewsbury hold on to secure qualification into the first round proper of the Vitality FA Cup.