A FORMER Oswestry School student fired Shrewsbury Town into the next round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday after scoring the deciding penalty in the side’s penalty shootout.
Tom Bloxham held his nerve from the spot to beat Lincoln City goalkeeper Joshua Griffiths to send Salop through to the second round.
It was a night to remember for the 17-year-old who was brought on as a substitute in the 85th minute of the fixture, with the score at 2-2.
After stepping up to score the winning penalty in the shootout, manager Steve Cotterill was quick to praise the teenage striker.
He said: “It was an exciting cup tie, I suppose it was a proper cup tie.
“Over the 90 minutes they were probably the better side, but we showed tremendous character to come back, and spirit, but I’m disappointed we didn’t show that earlier.
“I’m pleased for Daniel Udoh, he came off the bench and his second goal was great but I am more pleased for his close-range first one, they are the goals that I want him to be scoring.
“And it was a great night for Tom Bloxham, the lads were buzzing for him and it was a great night for him.”
A product of the Shrewsbury Town FC academy, Bloxham stepped up to the penalty spot to take the Shrews’ fifth penalty, with his side leading the shootout 3-2.
The former Oswestry School student sent the Lincoln goalkeeper the wrong way as he found the net, before celebrating in front of the home supporters at the Montgomery Waters Meadow Stadium.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here