Southampton 2-0 Shrewsbury Town: Saints see off plucky League One opponents

Last updated on 19 January 2021.From the section FA Cup55

Southampton earned a straightforward win over Shrewsbury in their rearranged FA Cup third-round tie at St Mary's.

Daniel N'Lundulu opened the scoring for a much-changed Saints side with a low effort into the bottom left corner.

The hosts dominated possession and while they were relatively comfortable it took James Ward-Prowse's late free-kick to seal their win.

Southampton will now host Arsenal in the fourth round of the competition on Saturday (12:15 GMT).

Watch all the goals and highlights from the FA Cup third round

Ralph Hasenhuttl had promised to field a side that blended youth and experience for this cup tie.

And he did not disappoint for a fixture that was originally scheduled for 9 January but was moved after a coronavirus outbreak at the League One club.

While captain Ward-Prowse provided the know-how and Fraser Forster and Shane Long were also brought in for run-outs, there was a very youthful feel to Southampton, particularly down the flanks.

Caleb Watts, 19, and Kegs Chauke, 18, were both handed debuts and delivered promising performances in front of French right-back Yan Valery, 21, and England youth international, Jake Vokins, 20.

But while Saints are noted for their intricate football, it took a scruffy N'Lundulu strike from a long ball forward and the expertise of Ward-Prowse to see off a Shrewsbury side that had not played since 29 December.

Manager Steve Cotterill, who was missing as he recovers from coronavirus, would have been proud of way his side went about their business with Shaun Whalley, Harry Chapman and Matthew Pennington all having chances to score.

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said: "Every young lad did a good job. You could see in the dressing room they were a little bit nervous. They have to be brave, they know what they have to do and it was a good first game for them.

"We tried [to score a second earlier]. It is not important to score three or four goals - it is important to go to the next round.

"It will be a little bit tougher [against Arsenal]. For us it is a chance to step into the next round."

Shrewsbury assistant coach Aaron Wilbraham said: "I am really proud of the boys. To be off for 14 days and come back and have three days' training for a game against Premier League opposition - I thought they were unbelievable.

"If you give [James] Ward-Prowse a free-kick there, you know what he can do. We were always in the game and put them under pressure."

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Southampton

Formation 4-4-2

44Forster
18Valery
35Bednarek
5Stephens
29Vokins
72ChaukeBooked at 47minsSubstituted forS Armstrongat 79'minutes
8Ward-Prowse
27DialloSubstituted forFinniganat 90+2'minutes
65WattsSubstituted forJankewitzat 85'minutes
7LongSubstituted forAdamsat 79'minutes
40N'Lundulu

Substitutes

2Walker-Peters
3Bertrand
10Adams
17S Armstrong
41Lewis
47Ferry
52Finnigan
62Tchaptchet
64Jankewitz

Shrewsbury

Formation 3-4-1-2

31Sarkic
24Ebanks-Landell
2Pierre
29PenningtonSubstituted forCummingsat 84'minutes
5Williams
8NorburnSubstituted forEdwardsat 74'minutes
10Vela
3GolbourneSubstituted forSearsat 73'minutes
32ChapmanSubstituted forTraceyat 63'minutes
7Whalley
23UdohSubstituted forPykeat 73'minutes

Substitutes

1Burgoyne
4Edwards
6Goss
9Pyke
11Clarke
12Sears
20Tracey
22Daniels
35Cummings

Referee:: Simon Hooper

Match Stats

Home TeamSouthamptonAway TeamShrewsbury

Possession: Home74%; Away26%

Shots: Home18; Away6

Shots on Target: Home6; Away1

Corners: Home10; Away3

Fouls: Home17; Away8

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Southampton 2, Shrewsbury Town 0.
90'+3'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Southampton 2, Shrewsbury Town 0.

90'+2'
Post update
Attempt missed. Daniel N'Lundulu (Southampton) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Stuart Armstrong.
90'+2'
Substitution
Substitution, Southampton. Ryan Finnigan replaces Ibrahima Diallo.
90'+1'
Post update
Hand ball by Shaun Whalley (Shrewsbury Town).
89'
Goal!
Goal! Southampton 2, Shrewsbury Town 0. James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
89'
Post update
Ibrahima Diallo (Southampton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
89'
Post update
Foul by Ethan Ebanks-Landell (Shrewsbury Town).
88'
Post update
Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Shilow Tracey.
88'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Alexandre Jankewitz (Southampton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
88'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Che Adams (Southampton) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Jake Vokins with a through ball.
85'
Substitution
Substitution, Southampton. Alexandre Jankewitz replaces Caleb Watts.
85'
Substitution
Substitution, Shrewsbury Town. Jason Cummings replaces Matthew Pennington.
82'
Post update
Attempt missed. Stuart Armstrong (Southampton) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Caleb Watts.
81'
Post update
Foul by Caleb Watts (Southampton).
81'
Post update
Ro-Shaun Williams (Shrewsbury Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
79'
Substitution
Substitution, Southampton. Che Adams replaces Shane Long.
79'
Substitution
Substitution, Southampton. Stuart Armstrong replaces Kgaogelo Chauke.
78'
Post update
Foul by James Ward-Prowse (Southampton).
78'
Post update
Ryan Sears (Shrewsbury Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

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55 comments

Comment posted by True Shrew, at 22:22 19 Jan 2021
Well done to Southampton, obviously as a Shrewsbury fan it's a little bit disappointing but considering everything that's happened recently us Shrews put in a decent performance.
Comment posted by D1679320309826, at 22:04 19 Jan 2021
such a well run club. without them, liverpool would be relegated.
Reply posted by stevecee, at 22:17 19 Jan 2021
stevecee replied:
Childish. Pathetic.
Comment posted by wemarchon, at 22:04 19 Jan 2021
A win is a win !
Gee wiz we need to learn to shoot when we get the opportunity. Stop trying to walk it in. Adam’s and Valery !

Stu Armstrong made the difference.

Great defending though from the Shrews. Well played.
Comment posted by St-Nick, at 22:12 19 Jan 2021
Get LeTiss and Lambert to show them how to shoot first time. Stop trying to walk it in. Sometimes you just need to put your laces through the ball, if you don't buy a ticket you won't win the lotto.
Well played Shrews, great effort all things considered.
Reply posted by Mistralsouth, at 22:23 19 Jan 2021
Mistralsouth replied:
Oh Le Tiss! ...Precocious talent, wasn't he? Mmm? Ooh, had it all, all the tricks - the dummy, the drop of the shoulder, the shimmy,
Comment posted by D1683392233331, at 22:06 19 Jan 2021
A brave effort from shrewsbury after all the problems they have against a very good saints team always a massive ask. Wolves fan
Comment posted by 7th Junction, at 22:05 19 Jan 2021
Sounds like a pretty solid performance from a Saints side with plenty of our young players enjoying a run out.
Good for NLundulu to get off the mark with a goal which should give him some more confidence.
Need Ings to sign a new deal now and before Saturday would be a lift before the Arsenal games.
Reply posted by Edna Bucket, at 22:55 19 Jan 2021
Edna Bucket replied:
I'd like Ings to sign a new deal but I have my doubts. He has some lost time to make up for after his injuries so I wouldn't begrudge him a move as a player of his quality deserves the chance to win something. Reading Ralph's comments it seems he's not confident of keeping him.
Comment posted by Emma, at 22:02 19 Jan 2021
Job done! Far from a classic, but we had a lot of experienced players out of the team and several young players starting for the first time, so disjointed. Shrewsbury defended well to be fair. Main thing is the win and into round 4.
Comment posted by Perry Taine, at 02:26 20 Jan 2021
Would be sad if Ings left Southampton, he's done a great shift for the team.
Comment posted by D1679414820401, at 23:34 19 Jan 2021
Ings looks set to be going in the Summer. Fair enough, that's football and I can't blame him. He's on 75K a week and for his last move wants a bumper deal, no one can begrudge him that.

But we took him on with a bad injury record and took a risk, we paid 20 million and I expect us to recoup at least that for him at age 28. Tottenham want him for 20M, I say nothing less than 30M.
Reply posted by Oahu, at 23:56 19 Jan 2021
Oahu replied:
If he doubles his goals from here on out, you should double your money.
Comment posted by Southernman, at 16:22 20 Jan 2021
Dont support Southampton, but reckon Ings needs to really look at what he has, and not what he could possibly get. Beautiful part of country, decent team that he will always start for. The chance of being another legend there, and not a bit part player elsewhere. Think carefully Danny, cherish what you have, and remember Southampton saved your career
Reply posted by peter rabbit, at 18:53 20 Jan 2021
peter rabbit replied:
So many players have left Saints for so called better clubs, only a small minority have gone on to better things. Take a good long look Danny, remember Stevie Williams, Danny Wallace, Morgan Schneiderlin ,etc plus quite a few more who never made their potential
Comment posted by Gunnerstorm, at 23:58 19 Jan 2021
Goodluck against Arsenal 😏
Comment posted by JuliusCaesarWasASocialist, at 22:23 19 Jan 2021
Congratulations to the Southampton football team on defeating Shrewsbury Town in this FA Cup 3rd round fixture
Comment posted by RivalFan, at 15:47 20 Jan 2021
I think England would be mad not to take Ward-Prowse to international tournaments. He's easily the best set-piece taker we've had since Beckham. I imagine his success rate from the range shown today is 1 in 3 at least. Plus he'd have plenty of opportunities with how well Harry Kane and Grealish win free kicks in that area.
Comment posted by paul Shropshire, at 15:06 20 Jan 2021
Come on Saints, knock out the gooners !
Comment posted by DrCajetanCoelho, at 06:53 20 Jan 2021
Young Saints are on the right track. Ralph's footballers are preparing themselves for stiffer challenges ahead. Well played Southampton. Shrewsbury Town had a great run. All the best for future.
Comment posted by D1679414820401, at 23:21 19 Jan 2021
As a Saints fan, just thought I'd add a comment try and get us into the 20 range for comments!
Reply posted by Dad, at 23:27 19 Jan 2021
Dad replied:
😁😁😁
From a Manchester city fan
Comment posted by Citizen67, at 23:25 19 Jan 2021
Not an issue for Saints tonight but will be glad when we get our injured players back.
Comment posted by billy 59, at 05:16 20 Jan 2021
That means another all Premiership under strength live game in the FA cup. All for viewing figures. TV really have little interest in the smaller clubs.
Comment posted by D1679129306761, at 22:01 19 Jan 2021
Shrewd move Ralph , let the boys do the work C O Y R
Comment posted by Matthew White , at 19:13 20 Jan 2021
Man City? Not a pep player, Chelsea? They’ve already got Giroud,Werner, Abraham, Arsenal? They’re below saints,Leicester? No bigger than Saints. Plus you’re injury prone, So where would you go Danny? Stay at saints keep scoring & you’re be going to the Euros