Morris winner sparks crowd trouble
POLICE were forced to hold back rival fans as Carlton Morris sealed Shrewsbury’s place in the League One play-off final.
Both sets of supporters threatened violence after Morris scored, with missiles thrown and an advertising hoarding collapsing. Charlton fans alleged that police used pepper spray.
It took a number of minutes for the situation to calm but when the dust settled Shrewsbury could look forward to a second trip to Wembley in seven weeks, to play either Rotherham or Scunthorpe.
Paul Hurst will hope the visit on May 27 goes better than April’s 1-0 EFL Trophy final loss to Lincoln, but his side have already defied the odds to stand a chance of promotion to the Championship.
Not since 1989 have Shrewsbury been in the second tier and before this season they were ranked bottom of League One by bookies.
Even after spending much of the season in the automatic places, a late collapse meant Charlton, Scunthorpe, and Rotherham were seen as better bets to go up.
But, following a 1-0 win at the Valley, Hurst’s team did a professional job at home to go through 2-0 on aggregate and deny Charlton boss Lee Bowyer a quick promotion after taking over in March.
Shrewsbury finished 16 points ahead of Charlton so a day at Wembley is deserved and judging by the manner of the pitch invasion after the final whistle, a fair number will travel down the M6.
Bowyer was caught up in the melee after going on to the pitch to applaud the Charlton fans. Stewards had to force their way through the Shrewsbury crowd to take Bowyer to the tunnel.
Hurst enjoyed a friendlier experience. ‘One fan gave me a kiss,’ he said. ‘I turned to the side and he still wanted to give me another one. I wasn’t overly keen.’
The game had been scrappy. Ben Amos saved twice from Alex Rodman in the first half and in the second Shrewsbury came out energised.
In the 58th minute, Hurst’s side took the lead in the game and control of the tie. Shaun Whalley pulled the ball back and Morris struck low and hard first time.
Shrewsbury’s fans went potty. Some by the travelling supporters even ran on to the pitch as celebrations turned to goading. Charlton’s fans reacted with fury, spilling on to the grass too with police quickly stopping scuffles.
Bowyer said: ‘I love the club and I’d like to stay. But if I’m going to then it will be as manager. If not then I won’t be staying.’