Shrewsbury 3 Sheffield Wednesday 2: Spot-kick fury as the Owls catch a Cup chill

THESE two clubs are used to making fans wait in the FA Cup.
Lewis McGugan hits home the first of his two goals (Picture: Steve Ellis)Lewis McGugan hits home the first of his two goals (Picture: Steve Ellis)
Lewis McGugan hits home the first of his two goals (Picture: Steve Ellis)

Fifty-three years ago, for instance, it took more than two months to separate Sheffield Wednesday and Shrewsbury Town in the third round.

The ‘Big Freeze’ of 1963 was mainly the cause for such a big delay, the tie being postponed a remarkable 10 times due to Gay Meadow being unplayable amid the coldest winter to hit England in the last two centuries.

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But there was also the need for a replay at Hillsborough before the Owls eventually progressed to the next stage to bring the long-running saga to a close.

On Saturday, the biting cold wind that whirled through and around Shrewsbury’s home since 2007 was not the only reminder of that marathon of long ago with fans once again having to show tremendous patience during a tie that proved soporific for the best part of 80 minutes before finally exploding into life at the death.

Just three minutes remained when Shrewsbury Town levelled for the second time in the afternoon when Shaun Whalley fired in from eight yards out.

That the substitute’s strike came immediately after Lewis Price had seemed to hand Wednesday a reprieve courtesy of a fine penalty save to deny Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro meant the 5,699 crowd had finally witnessed some drama after a largely forgettable game played at a pace more akin to testimonial than a blood- and-guts Cup tie.

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Whalley’s equaliser, however, was just the start of a crazy period that will live long in the memory as the Owls became the day’s only victim of anything approaching a genuine Cup upset.

Despair for Owls Lucas Joao after 3-2 cup defeatDespair for Owls Lucas Joao after 3-2 cup defeat
Despair for Owls Lucas Joao after 3-2 cup defeat

A cool headed finish from Jack Grimmer, a full-back on loan from Fulham, seven minutes into stoppage time was the reason the 1,502 travelling fans left the New Meadow in dejected mood.

They were dejected and angry, after having seen one of the clearest penalties of this or any other season – Zak Whitbread’s passable Big Daddy impression when grappling Athde Nuhiu to the floor a minute or so before Grimmer’s winner – somehow missed by referee Paul Tierney.

It was a huge call and one so blatantly wrong that even Carlos Carvalhal, normally so reticent when asked to comment on officials, was moved to remark: “It was not just a penalty, but a big penalty. I don’t believe anyone on the pitch saw it different. Unbelievable. Justice? No.”

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Owls chief Carvalhal was right, though in fairness to the hosts a similarly strong appeal for a spotkick – Whalley appeared to be tripped by Michael Turner –- had been earlier rejected by Tierney when Wednesday led 2-1.

Two wrongs do not make a right, of course, but Shrewsbury should not be begrudged a first passage to the fifth round in 25 years after knocking out a Wednesday side who had played in fits and starts even when seemingly in control of the tie.

Certainly, Carvalhal was not happy to go out of the Cup on an afternoon when the Portuguese had made nine changes with tomorrow’s crucial Championship game against Burnley in mind.

“We wanted to go to the next round,” said the Owls chief. “Our main competition is the Championship but I will not make excuses for not reaching the next round.

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“Our fans gave us fantastic support and they deserved for us to go through. They will be disappointed, like us.”

Despair for Owls Lucas Joao after 3-2 cup defeatDespair for Owls Lucas Joao after 3-2 cup defeat
Despair for Owls Lucas Joao after 3-2 cup defeat

Any arrivals to the New Meadow, one of those typical prefab grounds built on the outskirts of a town that have mushroomed in the lower echelons of English football over the past decade or so, could have been forgiven for fearing the worst in terms of what possibly lay ahead.

The swirling wind combined with all four corners being open in such an exposed spot next to the A5 meant a danger of the weather making entertainment at a premium.

Until those remarkable few minutes at the end, that did, indeed, prove to be the case. Whether the elements were solely to blame, mind, is a moot point.

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Shrewsbury’s cautious approach, which saw the two wing-backs sit so deep the hosts employed a back five for the first half, meant the early initiative was handed to the hosts.

Wednesday, however, were largely unable to capitalise due to a sluggish approach that betrayed a side featuring several players who have been either injured or out of favour lately.

Lewis McGugan, making his first start since October, was the exception with an energetic display that brought two goals and a timely reminder as to his potential importance to the Owls during the run-in.

His first goal on 19 minutes was, admittedly, a free-kick that confused Jayson Leutwiler to such an extent that the intended cross sailed into the net unimpeded as the goalkeeper reacted far too late to the danger.

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If that was slightly fortunate, the same certainly could not be said for McGugan’s second 13 minutes from time when his drilled shot gave Leutwiler no chance.

That restored Wednesday’s advantage, Shrewsbury having levelled early in the second half courtesy of a bullet header from Akpa-Akpro after the striker had been picked out by an exquisite cross from Andy Mangan.

McGugan nudging the visitors back in front should have really been that but, instead, Shrewsbury roared back in a manner that underlined why manager Micky Mellon likens his team to a bag of Revels. “You never know what you are going to get,” laughed the Shrews manager after a truly incredible turnaround that left the Owls feeling a Cup chill.