Town win in the Central League Cup
Town: Shaun Rowley, Ryan Sears, Callum Roberts, George Hughes, Olly Lancashire (Joel Bonner 68), Jacob Rammell, Ryan Barnett, Chris Gallagher, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (George Hassall 57), Andy Mangan (Tyrone Ofori 57), Mat SadlerUnused Subs: Cameron Gregory, Matt Jones
Goals: Andy Mangan 56, Tyrone Ofori 72
Bookings: Ryan Sears, George Hughes
Forest: Chris Marques, Choz Charlesworth, Joe Re, Charlie Jemson, Jake Willetts, Kyle McClen, Jake Taylor (Elvis Otim 60), Rob Worrall (Amel Ahmedhodzic 70), Anthony Wright, Tim Michaels (Virgil Gomis 60), Aaron Smith
Unused Subs: Jordan Wright, Toby Edser
Town started their Central League Cup campaign with a win against Nottingham Forest thanks to goals from Andy Mangan and Tyrone Ofori.
Town’s coaching staff picked a side with a blend of first team pros and youth teamers as they looked to get off to the perfect start in the competition.
Andy Mangan and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake started up front, in an experienced partnership, with Town playing their favoured 3-5-2 formation.
After a cagey opening 10 minutes, Forest had the first chance of the game when Tim Michaels found himself in space, but his shot went well over.
Town dominated possession and had a golden chance to take the lead when Ryan Barnett found Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in the 6 yard box, but the former Wolves striker scuffed his shot on the turn.
Ebanks-Blake continued to cause problems with his strength and unleashed a powerful shot on 22 minutes, which was well saved by Chris Marques to his right.
Barnett’s pace was causing problems down the Forest left and he almost picked out Mangan with a good ball, but the scouse striker couldn’t get onto the end of it.
Forest nearly took the lead when Aaron Smith and Tim Michaels played a nice one-two through the Town defence, but the former’s shot didn’t trouble Rowley in the Town goal.
In a game dominated by the defences, long shots looked like being the best bet and Forest’s Rob Worrall went close from 25 yards with a dipping strike that went just over.
Next it was Town’s turn to try their luck from distance, but Andy Mangan’s effort went just wide.
The young Forest side began to build in confidence and passed the ball nicely. A neat move saw Jake Taylor put through down the right, but Anthony Wright couldn’t stretch enough to make contact.
HT: 0-0
Town started the second half brightly and Olly Lancashire should have done better with an unmarked header after a corner from Chris Gallagher.
Just a minute later Ebanks-Blake turned sharply on the edge of the pox but his powerful shot went wide and high of the mark.
Town finally took the lead on 56 minutes when Ryan Barnett got away down the right and delivered a pinpoint ball for Andy Mangan to head home unmarked from 8 yards.
A minute later and Mangan’s afternoon was over when he and Ebanks-Blake were substituted and replaced by Tyrone Ofori and George Hassall.
Ofori almost made the perfect impression when he picked up the ball midway in the opposition half and drove at the Forest defence, but his shot was well saved by Marques.
Town made their final change with just over 20 minutes to play when Olly Lancashire was replaced by Joel Bonner.
Shrewsbury doubled their advantage on 72 minutes when Mat Sadler’s cross was headed on by George Hassall and Tyrone Ofori got in front of the ‘keeper to poke home.
Forest tried to get back into the game with substitute Virgil Gomis and midfielder Kyle McClean both having efforts block by Town defenders.
Shaun Rowley was then called into action as he made a good save to keep out the impressive Gomis.
Gomis finally got the goal that his second half performance deserved with an acrobatic effort beyond the reach of Shaun Rowley.
Charlie Jemson had a chance from a corner late on, but Town held on for the win.