Royals went into this game as underdogs, with several players carrying injuries. Hearle (hamstring), Green and Miles (thigh strain), Keugler (groin strain), Moffat (sickness) were all less than fully fit, but nevertheless started the game.

Royals won the toss and elected to play with the wind behind them in the first half. The wind gave them an advantage and they enjoyed much possession in their opponents half. Shrewsbury Juniors were well known for their quick, one touch football, but Royals were able to counteract that with dogged determination.

After just 10 minutes Hearle had to be replaced by Miles, as he was clearly struggling with his injury. Fielding switched to right wing to allow Miles to play in the centre of midfield with Moffat.

Five minutes after this enforced change, Royals scored the only goal of the game. Fielding slipped the ball past his defender and sent over low cross. The Shrewsbury keeper was only able to get a hand to the ball, and Baker was lurking at the far post to knock home the loose ball.

This spurred Shrewsbury on and they upped the pressure for the remainder of the first half, with the Royals defence having to be at their best to deal with this onslaught. They defended well though and protected keeper Keugler so well, that he barely had a save to make.

The second half started with a driving cold rain at the faces of the Royals. More pressure was lapped up by Royals' defence, in the most difficult of conditions. It seemed that an equaliser would be coming if Shrewsbury kept up this performance.

Their best chance came when Pryce ran on to a through ball and found himself in a one on one situation with keeper Keugler. Keugler bravely came out and smothered the ball at the feet of the Shrewsbury striker.

Royals had their chances in the second half too, the best of which was when a free kick was awarded on the right hand side of the pitch, just outside the penalty area. Green lined up the shot, which went inches wide.

For much of the last 10 minutes Royals were on the back foot defending deeply, but they still managed to keep the ball out, with the final whistle eventually blowing after 3 minutes of added time.

A great game of football between two very good sides, with the Royals showing that they can compete with the best sides in the county. Royals can now look forward to a cup final in their first season in the SJFL.

Team: Keugler, Agnew, Al-Houbani, Green, Smith, Leech, Hearle (Miles 10), Moffat, Fielding, Baker, Lewis Sub: Watts.