Town capped off their Bristol Street Motors trophy campaign with a 3-2 victory over Midlands neighbours Walsall.

A slow start saw the visitors take the lead through a smart finish from Danny Johnson.

But Salop grew into the game and two quick-fire goals from Daniel Udoh and Mal Benning respectively gave the Town a lead at half-time.  

Immediately after the break, Bowman headed home to extend the lead before Isaac Hutchinson scored to set up a nervy last ten minutes.  

Finally, a moment of history capped off a good performance when Simba Nyamwanza celebrated his 16^th birthday by becoming Shrewsbury Town's youngest-ever player.

Team news:

Boss Matt Taylor made eight changes from the side that secured a dramatic last-minute victory over Reading last time out, for the final fixture of the EFL trophy campaign.  

Just Taylor Perry, Tunmise Sobowale and Elliott Bennett kept their places with academy youngster Jude Collins featuring in a youthful and much-changed line-up.  

Walsall named a relatively strong side for the fixture, despite making six changes from the team that lost 1-0 at home to Harrogate at the weekend.

Report:

Within the opening five minutes Danny Johnson gave the visiting side the lead with a lobbed finish after a long ball forward evaded the Town defence.  

Despite Shrewsbury growing in confidence it was again Johnson with the chance. However, he missed a golden opportunity to double the visitors lead when he found himself through on goal following a misplaced pass in midfield. 

A delightful passage of one-touch football around the box allowed Daniel Udoh time and space on the edge of the area to fire in an equaliser into the bottom corner.  

Just two minutes later Thorpe was brought down on the edge of the area, giving Mal Benning an opportunity to strike at goal, and he did, straight into the top corner to give Town the lead.  

In the opening five minutes of the second half, a defence-splitting ball found debutant Jack Loughran with time and space to put in a delightful cross for Bowman to head in and extend Town’s lead.   

A driving run through the heart of midfield created yet another chance for the lively Johnson, however again he pulled his shot wide of the target under pressure from keeper Harry Burgoyne.

On the hour mark Walsall had the opportunity to reduce the deficit from the spot after Nana Owusu tripped Joe Foulkes in the box, however Burgoyne got down to make a strong save to his left.  

With a quarter of the match remaining, the visitors found their second goal, a low-driven ball across the box from the lively Tom Knowles was tapped in by Hutchinson on the penalty spot.

With 11 minutes of normal time to play, Nyamwanza entered the fray and became Shrewsbury Town's youngest-ever player, marking a proud moment for both the club and more importantly the youngster himself.

A few half chances for the visitors made for a nervous last ten minutes but, some smart saves from Burgoyne ensured Town to hold on for the victory. 

Teams:

Salop: Harry Burgoyne; Tunmise Sobowale, Aaron Pierre, Joe Anderson; Elliott Bennett (Harvey Watts 64’), Elliot Thorpe, Mal Benning, Taylor Perry (Jack Loughran 45’), Jude Collins (Simba Nyamwanza 79’); Dan Udoh (Nana Owusu 45’), Ryan Bowman (Declan Hutchings 64’)  

Subs not used: Isaac Godwin, Cammron Morris 

Walsall: Jackson Smith; David Okagbue, Joe Foulkes, Taylor Allen, Rollin Menayese( Douglas James- Taylor 68’), Ronan Maher, Oisin McEntee (Dylan Thomas 68’), Isaac Hutchinson, Ryan Stirk (Harvey Griffiths, 39’), Tom Knowles, Danny Johnson  

Subs not used: George Barrett, Charlie Wragg, Jaiy Leydon, Cayden Bennett