The 2 incidents that will stand out for me last night were the 2 penalty claims we had turned down. The first one sees Robinson round the keeper, he grabs his ankle with his hand, Robinson is put off balance and hence couldn't score, the Ref somehow waved play on as if playing an advantage to us! It was a poor decision.
Into extra time and Robinson skins two defenders, is running full pace across the pitch into the box, beats one man, is hacked down by the next. Referee books Robinson for diving. It was at the far end from us, but looked a clear cut penalty. Does this sound familiar?
Luton away a couple of years ago?
Yes, it was the same Referee who sent off Leon Knight for supposedly diving at Luton!
We arrived into Shrewsbury about 5.30, headed for a pub for some food and drink and then about 6.45 parked up at the ground. I headed back into town to a local hostelry and bumped into 3 of the lads who had gone up by train.
We paid our £13 and it was nice to be back on terracing! I thought that we once again played some good football, but wanted to walk the ball into the net.
There were probably about 200 Albion fans at the game and we were soon rewarded when McCammon scored a great diving header from a Carole cross and we were 1-0 up.
We then gifted them an equaliser when McShane and Chaigneau both went towards the same ball and the Shrewsbury forward slammed the ball home.
Knight was looking good in midfield with Nicolas and Hammond. In the second half Robinson replaced CKR and with 10 minutes left we looked to have won the game. Knight put McCammon through, he crossed to Robinson who slotted the ball home.
We then played some good passing football, and somehow in the 89th minute we appear to have the ball. Then Shrewsbury had the throw in, we were not ready and before anyone moved it was 2-2.
In between the goals McGhee had decided to sub Jarret who had only come on as a sub in the 68th minute. Another played who must have zero confidence. Why was that change needed?
Chippy came on in the 87th minute and they scored in the 89th so it hardly helped! Within a minute of the restart Shrewsbury pulled us apart with pace and went 3-2 up, it was a very well taken goal.
We could and should have got back in the game with the penalty decision, but it was not to be our day.
So we can now concentrate on the league and the FA Cup.
Chaigneau - 4 dropped a couple of crosses, easily beaten for all 3 goals
Reid - 4 not his best match
McShane - 5 worked hard and spent the last 10 minutes up front
Butters - 4 off day at the office, players are seeing his lack of pace and try to exploit it
El-Abd - 4 poor distribution
Hammond - 6 battled hard
Nicolas - 6 as above
Knight - 7 captain and my MOTM again, never stopped
McCammon - 6 worked hard, still has his moments, but looks stronger and fitter than last season
CKR - 4 poor match, needs a rest
Carole - 6 a good release and some good link up work with Knight, Once again why sub him?
Robinson - 6 worked hard when he replaced CKR
Jarrett - 5 1 or 2 good runs, no idea why he had to come off
Carpenter - 5 we never really got going in extra time
Hart and Martin not used (despite the announcer telling us he was on the pitch)