Tranmere swept aside in Central League
Graham Turner was pleased with the level of performance from Shrewsbury Town's reserves as they swept aside Tranmere Rovers 4-0 in yesterday's Central League clash.
Town scored three times inside 11 minutes just before half time through Rob Edwards, Luke Rodgers and Luke Summerfield before Ryan Doble, an early replacement for the injured Dominic Smith, added a fourth just after the break.
"It was a good work out and it was enjoyable to watch," said the manager. "I do enjoy watching the reserves play and there's no real pressure on.
"You want to see a performance from players to put them in line for contention for a place in the first team and there were one or two who did their cause no harm."
Welsh international defender Edwards, making his first appearance for the club since arriving on loan from Barnsley recently, smashed a close range volley to the roof of the net after Tranmere were unable to clear a corner to edge Town into a 29th minute lead.
It was quickly 2-0 as Aaron Wildig's through ball opened up a Tranmere defence including veteran Jamaican international defender Ian Goodison to send Luke Rodgers clear and the striker kept his composure to fire past advacning goalkeeper Jason Mooney.
There was still time for another goal before the interval with Summerfield, who had a good game in midfield, driving a free kick from the edge of the box to the bottom corner of the net.
Town moved further clear six minutes into the second half with a flowing move seeing Tom Bradshaw play in Rob Purdie whose inviting low cross was tapped in at the back post by Doble, 48 hours on from making his first Football League start for Shrewsbury against Sheffield United.
Town might have ran out more comfortable winners but Bradshaw was just off target from the edge of the penalty area and a Wildig shot, following a neat one-two with Purdie, was pushed over the bar by keeper Mooney.
TOWN RESERVES: Joe Anyon; Ryan Woods, Connor Goldson, Rob Edwards (Warren Holmes), Dominic Smith (Ryan Doble); Jack Gwilliams, Luke Summerfield, Aaron Wildig, Rob Purdie; Tom Bradshaw, Luke Rodgers. Unused subs: Dave Easthope, Charlie Musslewhite, Callum Burton.