Peter Wilson reports on the recent Shropshire Cup Semi-Finals, which saw TNS and Wrockwardine Wood win through over Allscott and Shrewsbury respectively.
The New Saints booked their place at Shrewsbury Town’s Greenhouse Meadow in their eighth straight Shropshire Cup Final, after a 3-0 win against Allscott at Market Drayton Town FC.
A repeat of last year’s final which saw the Saints beat Allscott 6-0, TNS came close through Emily Ridge but her chance was tipped around the post by the Scotties goalkeeper, Bev Highfield. The Saints were awarded a penalty just after the half hour mark. Ridge was sythed down after making a darting run into the box, Jen Smith fired home the resulting spot-kick into the bottom left hand corner to put the Saints ahead. Just three minutes later and they were in cruise control. A corner, taken by Laura Morris was met by Sophie Edwards, who headed past the keeper to double the Oswestry side’s lead.
Within minutes of the restart, the Saints had wrapped the game up. Good possession play saw Megan Haynes break free and lob the keeper from just outside the penalty area. Allscott then came to life and started to threaten the TNS defence. Charlotte Edmunds was called upon a couple of times in this period but she and her defence stayed strong.
After the game, TNS manager Joe Thompson commented, “Obviously we are all buzzing after the result today. To get to any final is an achievement and we are all pleased to have got the job done. Semi finals can be strange games but I feel we were always in control for ninety minutes. Allscott were as always physical and made things difficult for us but we were patient and took our chances well. Conditions weren’t great on the day but we coped well. Bring on the final, we can’t wait.”
Wrockwardine Wood booked their first ever Shropshire Cup Final as they overcame Shrewsbury Juniors at Shrewsbury Sports Village.
It was West Midlands Premier versus First Division as Shrewsbury more then held their own in the first half. Verity Farrall in the midfield engine room worked hard to cut out the pacey Maria Mandy Bell’s incisive play, which had created the best of the early chances of the game for The Wrockers.
The second half was a different story as The Wrockers stepped up a gear and penned Shrewsbury back, giving them few chances to get something on the break. Shrewsbury’s best effort brought out a superb save from Toran Kelly who somehow pushed the ball up and away from the top corner. The game turned when Bell’s throw-in was cleared only as far as Natasha Dunning, who lashed the ball into the net from out side the box.
At 1-0, The Wrockers did not look like they would conce. And after a pin-point Kayleigh Harrison cross found the diving Bell, whose header looped over Natalie Leah Robson and into the back of the net, there was only going to be one team going into the final.
The ShropshireFA Women’s Cup Final will take place on Thursday 14th May 2015 at Greenhouse Meadow.
Pictured – TNS on the ball against Allscott.
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