U18s League: Shrewsbury Town 3-0 Tranmere Rovers
FULL-TIME: Shrewsbury Town 3-0 Tranmere RoversThere was much less action towards the end which suited Shrewsbury as they held on for their third clean sheet of the season a fourth straight win to take them top of the table.
At the other end, just past the hour mark, there was a chance for Tranmere to get on the scoresheet as Akpan's shot following a corner from the right deflected just past the post.
Mathew Jones swung in a corner from the left, it missed the head of Ethan Jones but Grogan was there to hit a half-volley off his weaker left foot which Rutter did well to parry away.
Town started the second period well and within just six minutes of the restart, defender Callum Grogan went close to a fourth. HALF-TIME: Shrewsbury Town 3-0 Tranmere Rovers
There was also a great chance for Wilson to add a fourth on the stroke of half-time as Jack Butts swung in a cross from the right, but the second-year strike volley wide of the right post in the centre.
Ethan Jones also had the chance to add a fourth a minute later as he was fed through the inside right by Agbozo, but his low shot was saved by the legs of Rutter.
First-year midfielder George Hughes also looked to get in on the act as he struck powerfully from Josh Agbozo's pullback around 25 yards out, but the shot flew just wide of the left post.
Wilson then grabbed his second and the Shrews' third just eight minutes later as he beat the 'keeper in the air to Callum Roberts' high cross from the left and nodded into an empty net.
Higgs squared the ball across the edge of the penalty area from the right, Wilson let it run across his body onto his left foot before firing low and powerful below the Tranmere 'keeper at the centre.
However, Wilson grabbed Town's second goal of the game with 16 minutes on the clock.
Wilson then had the chance to double Shrewsbury's leade six minutes later as Ethan Jones crossed low from the left, although he could stretch and divert the ball wide.
Town took the lead in the 7th minute when Wilson fed Higgs through the centre and although the latter's first shot was saved low by the goalkeeper's legs, he followed-up to tap the rebound into an empty net.
FIRST HALF
Shaun Rowley, George Hughes, Charley Higgs, Ethan Jones and Mathew Jones all came in for Leon Reece, Joel Carta, John McAtee, George Hassall and Nathan Millis.
Head of Academy coaching Ian Dawes made five changes to the side which won 4-1 at Fleetwood Town a week before. TEAM NEWS
The results meant Shrewsbury went top of the table on goal difference althought Tranmere do have a game in hand.
Goals from Charley Higgs and two for Jordan Wilson gave Town's under-18s their fourth straight win in the game at Shrewsbury Sports Village.
Shrewsbury Town's youth team leapfrogged Tranmere Rovers to the top of the Football League Youth Alliance - North West league on Saturday morning.
: Port Vale v Shrewsbury Town (Football League Youth Alliance - North West league, Saturday 26 September, 11am kick-off). NEXT FIXTURE
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ASSISTANTS: Ross Smart & Jamie James.
: Kevin Allsop REFEREE
UNUSED SUBS: Patrick Wharton, Tom Williams, Gabriel Kubwalo.
: Patrick Rutter (GK); James Galloway, Eddie Clarke, Callum Lucy, Jake Hulley (c), Jack Fleming, Tom Croughan (Udoyen Akpan, 45), Kevin Cringle, Tolani Omotola, Samuel Ilesanmi (Jamie Heron, 85), James Hunter. TRANMERE ROVERS LINE-UP
BOOKED: Sears (40).
GOALS: Higgs (7), Wilson (16, 24).
UNUSED SUBS: Leon Reece (GK), Joel Bonner, Tom King.
: Shaun Rowley (GK); Ryan Sears, Callum Roberts, Josh Agbozo (Nathan Millis, 77), Callum Grogan (c), George Hughes, Jack Butts, Charley Higgs, Jordan Wilson, Ethan Jones (Joe Kenton, 75), Mathew Jones. SHREWSBURY TOWN LINE-UP