Under-18s Coach On Shropshire Senior Cup Win
"The performance is an example to the first-team staff that these lads can handle this level, playing against men and on a not so perfect pitch, they handled it physically and mentally today and I thought they were outstanding."But they have to motivate themselves for every game because they’re under the spotlight week in week out and they’ve got to perform on a consistent level and Saturdays another game for them and we go again."
And as always, the focus now switches to the league campaign with Dawes eager for the lads to show their consistent form in front of the watching eyes.
"I spoke to the lads and told them we don’t need to go and play expansive, attacking football and get caught out. We just have to defend. If we keep a clean sheet we win the tie."
Despite no goals after the break, the match was still full of incident, with both teams seeing efforts cleared off the line.
"Even though we did clear two headers off the line they also cleared one from off their own goal line. Then there was Kaiman’s (Anderson) chance that he couldn’t get out of his feet.
"They had a lot of possession without hurting us in the second-half and I thought we managed the game very well."
With all the goals coming in a lively first-half, Dawes admits that after the break, Town just needed to keep things tight.
"We knew even a two-nil we couldn’t rest or switch off. They’re a very good and experienced side.
"When they got to 2-1 I thought it was a tough time for us but credit to our lads we went again and Josh (Ginnelly) has gone and scored another outstanding goal and he’s given us that cushion right before half-time."
Town went in at the break with a two goal lead but the former Liverpool academy coach knows that there was still plenty of work to be done in the second-half.
"I thought James Caton was outstanding and he led us well.
"It wasn’t just his performance on the ball it was off it as well. He showed that he can work hard and dig in. He took responsibility tonight and I thought he was excellent.
"That’s a couple of games he’s played now for the reserves since he’s returned from his loan spell at Southport and it looks like it has improved him.
"He looks like he has that bite and fight back in him and he looks like a new player now so credit to him."
Caton’s opening goal was a piece of sublime counter-attacking football and Dawes was full of praise for his skipper’s performance.
"They’ve worked hard all season and we’ve had some really good performances and it’s a massive achievement for the players.
"They’ve come up against a near enough Telford first-team and we’ve not only won the match but I thought the boys were technically excellent throughout the entire game."
And Dawes, head of academy coaching, said after the victory: “The lads have done really well.
With only James Caton having experienced first-team action this season, an inexperienced Town side ran out 3-1 winners at the New Bucks Head thanks to goals from Caton, Ethan Jones and Josh Ginnelly.
Ian Dawes insists Shrewsbury Town’s victory over AFC Telford in the final of the Shropshire Senior Cup is a massive achievement for his players.