Shrews loanee aims to make amends

Two-goal Richard Walker dented Town's promotion bid two years ago

Richard Walker hopes to make amends at Wembley next weekend for scoring the two Bristol Rovers goals which killed Shrewsbury Town's 2007 promotion dream.

Shrewsbury are back at Wembley on Saturday week for the League Two play-off final against Gillingham.

And, although Walker did not make Paul Simpson's squad for the semi-finals, he admits he is itching to play.

"I've got a few bridges to repair," the 31-year-old told BBC Radio Shropshire. "But I was only doing my job."

Having spent the season on loan at Shrewsbury from parent club Bristol Rovers, in an ironic twist, the former Aston Villa trainee now has the chance to rewrite that old 'wrong'.

Despite Stuart Drummond giving Town a third-minute lead at Wembley that day in May 2007, Walker scored twice for Bristol Rovers to help his side come from behind and win 3-1.

He still gets ribbed about the two first-half goals in 14 minutes which ruined Town's hopes of promotion.

"There's still quite a few lads here from then," grins Walker. "They bring it up now and then, but it's all in good heart.

"I'm sure the lads see it as another opportunity for them, what went wrong that day to put it right.

"It's so strange how things work out. At the time I had no idea I would end up at Shrewsbury. But I'm here now at a play-off final. It's just as good a buzz as it was back then.

"I've not been involved in the semi-finals, but I've got a week to do well in training and force my way into the squad and it will be a massive disappointment if I don't make it."

Walker has scored six times this season for Paul Simpson's side, the last of them in a 1-0 home win over Chester in mid-February. But, in recent weeks, he has been kept out of the team by Nick Chadwick and Omer Riza.

Winger Chris Humphrey is still the only injury concern with a hamstring strain for Saturday's final (23 May, 1500 BST).

You can follow all the build up to the League Two play-off final and full match commentary on Shrewsbury v Gillingham on BBC Radio Shropshire 96 FM.