Youth Team win first game of the season
Town: Atkinson, Sears, Roberts, Hughes, Bonner, Rammell, Gilpin (Mwandwe 75), Gallagher (Hassall 84), Ofori, Barnett, JonesUnused subs: Esien, Gregory, Kerins
Tranmere: Wharton, Solomon-Davies, Clarke, Lucy, J. Devine, Drysdale, Galloway (Heron 69), E. Devine, Akpan (Medlen 77), Brett (Croughan 63), Molyneux (Cringle 63)
Unused sub: Passant
Team News: Ian Dawes made two changes from the 1-0 loss against Walsall, with Jack Atkinson replacing Cameron Gregory in goal, and Aaron Gilpin coming into midfield for John McAtee.
A goal in the last minute of normal time secured Shrewsbury Town U18s their first EFL Youth Alliance win of the season as they deservedly beat Tranmere Rovers 1-0 at Raby Vale.
First Half:
The opening stages were tight and cagey but Town keeper Jack Atkinson had to be alert to deal with an early bombardment of crosses into his area.
Whilst the away side looked comfortable in possession from the off - with the back three of Joel Bonner, Ryan Sears and Callum Roberts working together well to play out from the back - Tranmere were less convincing in their defensive third, as they gifted the first chance to Tyrone Ofori, but the forward could only pull his shot wide.
Ofori’s pace and selfless running was causing problems for the home side’s backline, as he nearly pounced on another error with just over 20 minutes played after being played through by Ryan Barnett, but he was denied by a terrific save from the Tranmere keeper.
Town were fully in control for the vast majority of the half, and Tranmere’s only attempt on goal came after Chris Gallagher appeared to have been fouled on the halfway line, but the home side were allowed to break away, and luckily for Town they could only fire off target.
Half Time: Tranmere 0-0 Shrewsbury
Second Half:
The game opened up after half time as Tranmere started to enjoy more possession, but they still couldn’t create chances as the Town defence continued to win the ball whenever it came their way.
The defensive performance will have been a welcome relief after Town’s three high scoring draws so far this season, but they needed a goal to make their superiority count.
Gallagher looked certain to score after a scramble in the box on the hour mark but Tranmere somehow cleared, and that paved the way for the home side to finally try and leave their mark on the game.
Excellent distribution from the Tranmere keeper set his team away on a blistering counter attack down the right side, but the original cross evaded everyone as it flew across the six yard box, and an effort from the resulting cut back sailed over the crossbar.
The game looked to be fizzling out as both teams felt the fatigue in the closing moments, and Town had Jacob Rammell to thank as he made a last ditch block inside the six yard box when Tranmere looked certain to take the lead.
And it was Rammell who had a huge part in Town getting their late winner, as the midfielder whipped a superb delivery into the area from a corner and Sears rose highest to power his side into the lead in the 89th minute.
Tranmere pressed in added time in search of an equaliser but Town’s defensive unit was not fazed, as they held out to secure an impressive win and their first three points of the season.
Full Time: Tranmere 0-1 Shrewsbury