Shrewsbury 0 West Ham 0: Hammers held to FA Cup stalemate on Joe Hart's return

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James Benge8 January 2018

West Ham boss David Moyes avoided a second FA Cup upset in Shropshire as his side struggled to a 0-0 draw with Shrewsbury at the New Meadow.

Almost 15 years to the day since his Everton side had lost 2-1 at the Gay Meadow, Moyes’ side endured another fright as they were outclassed by their League One opponents.

Joe Hart captained West Ham on his return to the side where he began his career, and found himself much the busier of the two goalkeepers in a first half where it was Shrewsbury who played like a Premier League side.

Paul Hurst’s side pressed with energy and all too often for Moyes' liking won the ball back in the Hammers half. Only wayward finishing stopped Shrewsbury from taking the lead in the first half, with centre-back Matt

Sadler finding himself in space inside the area only to see his low shot blocked by Hart.

Alex Rodman also forced the England No.1 into action, driving infield from the left and curling a low shot towards the bottom corner that Hart parried.

Meanwhile West Ham’s £36million frontline of Andre Ayew and Javier Hernandez played like virtual strangers, scarcely creating a chance between them before the Ghanaian drove straight at Manchester United loanee Dean Henderson in the Shrewsbury goal in the 43rd minute.

The second half was no easier for the Hammers. Even when the hosts were down to 10 men as Sadler underwent treatment for a cut head, it was Shrewsbury making the running.

REUTERS

Chances were few and far between for both sides, though the dangerous Jon Nolan will forever wonder what might have been had team-mate Rodman not stolen the ball off his feet when he was primed to unleash a volley at Hart’s goal.

Meanwhile West Ham were struggling to keep their passing accuracy over 50 per cent, though moving Josh Cullen into a central position briefly handed the Hammers a greater level of control on the game.

The 21-year-old Cullen would pay the price for entering the engine room, losing a tooth after a high boot from Shrewsbury captain Abu Ogogo. It typified a thunderous cup tie in which the only real quality came from the hosts, flying high in League One.

West Ham United via Getty Images

Their moment to win the tie came in the 86th minute but after substitute Stefan Payne somehow managed to keep the ball in play, Nolan contrived to volley well over. Still he will have another shot at glory when Shrewsbury travel to the London Stadium later this month.

Should both sides put in repeat performances, it would be no surprise if it is the Shrews who make it to round four.

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