Former Wales midfielder Edwards fires Shrewsbury into FA Cup second round

Posted Wednesday, November 20, 2019 by PA

Former Wales international Dave Edwards came off the bench to score a second half winner and send League One Shrewsbury into the FA Cup second round with a 1-0 victory in a first round replay at Bradford.

There was little to choose between the sides in the first match which ended 1-1 and this was another tight game decided with a smart piece of opportunism from Edwards in the 66th minute.

Donald Love crossed from the right and Edwards nipped into space to score from close range and earn Shrewsbury a home tie against Mansfield in the second round.

League Two promotion contenders Bradford came closest to scoring in a goalless first half. Their first chance came in the 18th minute when Callum Cooke’s corner was flicked on by Hope Akpan to skipper James Vaughan whose shot was blocked before defender Ben Richards-Everton headed wide.

Their second chance came in the 25th minute when Dylan Connolly’s cross from the right win caused problems for the visitors’ defence. Akpan’s shot was brilliantly saved by keeper Joe Murphy and the ball rebounded to Vaughan whose shot was blocked.

Bradford created few second half chances and the strong visitors’ defence was rarely troubled until they were forced withstand some pressure in the closing stages.