Shrewsbury Town

Academy manager Steve Reece felt Town's youth teamers did enough to win their final Youth Alliance game before the Christmas break as the points were eventually shared in the Potteries.

Goals from Matt Jones and Jack Richards had Town 2-1 in front with half time in sight before some poor defending allowed Vale in for an equaliser.

"We were very pleased with the overall performance," said Reece, who is enjoying working alongside the club's head of youth coaching Bernard McNally.

"The final result was just a little bit disappointing as we felt it was a game we should have won.

"But it's all very positive at the moment and myself and Bernard have been very pleased with the attitude of the players which has been fantastic since we took over six weeks ago."

Town started brightly and it was against the run of play when Vale took the lead after Shrewsbury were undone from a set piece.

The visitors responded well and were soon level as Jeff Watkins broke and crossed for left midfielder Jones to score.

Even better was to quickly follow when a Scott Ryan cross to the far post was well finished by left back Richards whose shot was helped into the net by the Vale keeper.

But there was still time for a Vale equaliser before half time with Town again opened up a little too easily for their liking.

"We were in total control for most of the game but just switched off a couple of times," added Reece. 

The scholars now take a break over the Christmas period and will resume training on Monday, January 6 before returning to Youth Alliance action at Wrexham on January 11.

Town: Alex Ashton, George Carpenter (Ben Burton 40), Ryan Hickman, Dominic Smith, Jack Richards, Scott Ryan, Alex Fletcher, Niall Flint (Ethan Jones 75), Matt Jones (Sam Molyneux 60), Kaiman Anderson, Jeff Watkins. Unused sub: Shaun Rowley.

Goals: Matt Jones, Jack Richards