Our young inspirational reporter and massive Shrewsbury Town fan Corbin gives us his thoughts on Tuesday’s FA Cup replay at Anfield against Liverpool.
“Well our dream is over a 1-0 defeat away at Liverpool with the Under 23’s taking centre stage, a real chance of getting through to round 5 to play Chelsea away. The Game was a chance to break some records both at club level and nationally too but in the end we ended up with some unwanted records.”
“Sam Ricketts picked a team different to the weekend defeat to Rochdale with Norburn out injured 2 goal hero from the 2-2 at the Meadow 9 days ago Cummings was on the bench,Pierre was back in at expense of Beckles.”
“Pre match we all sang our hearts out as “You Never Walk Alone” blarred out around the ground, what an amazing thing to experience this place was loud but us Salop fans were louder all 8,000 of us!”
“The game started with Liverpool having lots of the ball without us really closing them down, we held a firm line at the back and little was getting through. Whalley was busy and nearly latched onto a ball over the top, Lang picked up the ball out wide and pushed forward but no end product. Those early exchanges were even but as the half wore on we got deeper and Liverpool came at us down the wings putting in several early crosses that Max dealt with easily.”
“Due to people standing up some kind stewards move me and my Dad to the disabled area from here we could see all the action but we were very close to the home fans whom seemed quiet. Our end was making lots and lots of noise “Salop Salop” rang out and I joined in with all the regular songs.”
“As the half drew to a close Liverpool were winning a lot of fouls for very little challenges, the referee seemed to buy into their play acting on more than one time, the only telling shot was a long ranger that skidded across the surface wide of the post. Game was pretty even at this point we hoped we would see a different Salop team in the second half a team that wanted to win this more than the opponents and our league experience would help us through.”
“The second half started very much like the first Liverpool on front foot, sloppy play from us as we gave away more silly fouls and corners. One player stood out for us our captain for the evening Dave Edwards, his driving runs out of defence, his closing down and trying different passes as well as trying that “Lampard” run into the box he was grabbing the game by scruff of the neck. The oldest man on the field was running the show as many of his team mates struggled to show same intent.”
“Then a 10 minute spell where we showed some grit, a disappointed Lang got applauded off by all us fans for Udoh and within two minutes it looked a genius sub by Ricketts. Golbourne got the ball from Pierre before passing it back to him, Pierre then played in Udoh who spun his marker and ran into the box, his cross was met by a surging Dave Edwards run who poked it towards goal, the keeper saved it but the ball bobbled up and Whalley unmarked headed into the empty net. Oh my days we had scored and we all jumped up and down with looks of disbelief and surprise, full of joy and happiness we were winning 1-0 at Anfield. But our joy turned to fear as VAR had a look at the goal, from our angle at no point did anyone look offside and we all said around us maybe it was a handball or something it took 2 minutes but felt like an age the ref blew with his hand up and no goal was given for offside. LiVARpool had got away with it again as the home fans mocked us all in the away end upsetting and making many of us really angry.”
“We cleared our heads quickly though as Laurent moments later found Udoh on the edge of the box, his turn and swivel was brilliant but he dragged his shot wide. Whalley had a chance assisted by Laurent again but he shot wide. You sensed though that some of the players were deflated by the VAR decision as Liverpool were back passing and running the flanks both full backs beat our wingbacks several times and we got penned in by them as two freekicks and six corners on trot kept us deep but no real threat except a couple of shots over the bar. Max O’Leary was called into action as right back Williams smashed one towards goal but Max saved brilliant with his foot. In this time Cummings was on for Goss could he be our hero again? There was enough time, we were all upbeat for about a minute as a long cross field ball left our keeper stranded as Ro Shaun Williams’ attempted back header bounced into the net. Complete and utter shock we all slumped and our shoulders sunk. Liverpool’s kids had the lead by another own goal from us but 15 mins to go still left us plenty of time.”
“With Dave Edwards pushing forward he got the ball to Laurent, a surging jinking run he found a gap but his shot was high and wide. The 82nd minute was the end of Whalley’s night as Brad Walker came on as Pierre pushed up front. We had a corner but it was cleared well and the ball fell to Love who panicked trying to side step the on rushing attacker suddenly it was four Liverpool players against our keeper with all our players struggling to get back from the corner. It was bound to be 2-0 but a heavy touch and Max came rushing from his goal he was able to clear it.”
“4 minutes of time were added on, 4 minutes for us to get an equaliser and take game to extra time but the way the game had gone we created very little. The Liverpool bench was clever making two subs in injury time to break up the play and then the ref blew for full time. The place erupted, the loudest the home fans had been all night with exception of the own goal as the Liverpool kids run around like they had just won a Cup Final against Barcelona.”
“So that was that our dream was over at 4th round stage for a second season running. 12 months ago we gave Wolves a real fright as we had a 2-1 lead against them but lost 3-2 at Molineux and a brilliant night that was but the end of this Liverpool game had a different feel ,dejected, glum and completely flat. I am sure the inquests will continue for days to come over Ricketts tactics, the way some of the players played and you cant win football games with only a few players performing as it was last night. To lose in the manner that we did against opposition like that was a very hard pill to swallow but we will recover, we will forget and we will be back behind the team next time out!”
“4 players stood out, Whalley,O’Leary, Golbourne and Edwards the last one being my Man of The Match. The oldest member of our team showed glimpses of his old self, worked tirelessly for the team, drove us forward and passed well all night unlucky not to get a goal too. Super Super Dave Super Davey Edwards!”
“The journey home was a long one due to traffic problems and though I was disappointed its another experience and memory to add to many other more memorable memories of my life. If anyone had said you would be watching your team hold Liverpool to a draw at home and then go to Anfield for a replay back in August I would have told you to stop dreaming. But it’s happened, not the ending we all wanted but a big chance for us to showcase our team.“
“Back to league action again, lets hope Sam and the lads can get their spirits up for a crucial League One game at home to MK Dons on Saturday and Accrington at home in a weeks time. Two big games very winnable, 6 points please then we will all feel alot better.”
“Love & Peace, Corbin”
Thanks to Corbin for his thoughts on the game against Liverpool.
Corbin Davies
“Going Down The Oteley Road”
https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/
Going Down The Oteley Road 