Town: Steve Arnold, James Bolton (James Rowland, 86), Ryan Haynes, Greg Docherty (Luke Ward, 65), Kieran Kennedy, Arthur Gnahoua, Ryan Barnett, Charlie Colkett, Fejiri Okenabirhie, Josh Laurent (Doug Loft, 45), Lenell John-lewis (Lifumpa Mwandwe, 76).
Subs: Sam Agius, Lifumpa Mwandwe, Doug Loft, Luke Ward, James Rowland.
Rovers: Andre Alexis, Scott Isherinwood, Josh Baily, Ben Morgan, Alfie Clarke, Cam Hargreeves, Theo Widdington (Connor Jones, 66), Louis Leigh-Gilchrist (Harry Warwick, 66), Cameron Ebbutt, Deon Moore (James Spruce, 66), Cam Allen.
Subs: Liam Armstrong, James Spruce, Connor Jones, Harry Warwickdrie.
Referee: Peter Simm
Assistants: Ian Croston and Richard Booth
Fourth official:
Shrewsbury Town’s reserve side ran out three nil winners over today’s visitors Bristol Rovers.
Goals from Lenell John-Lewis, Fejiri Okenabirhie and Lifumpa Mwandwe ensured Town took the win.
Team News: Town start with a strong line-up for the Central League Cup. Four academy players make the bench along with Doug Loft.
First Half:
Town’s Central League Cup action got underway this afternoon at the Montgomery Waters Meadow. The first 10 minutes swung in Town’s favour, with the Shrews contingent having the better of the chances.
Lenell John-Lewis broke the deadlock in the 16th minute with a wonderful curling effort. John-Lewis found space just inside the box and let off a shot, which nestled into the top corner of the goal.
Fejiri Okenabirhie doubled the lead in the 28th minute. The Town forward danced around the Rovers defender and smashed home the ball from a tight angle past Andre Alexis.
Town went into the half-time break two goals up on the score sheet. Positive starts from Ryan Barnett, Okenabirhie and John-Lewis ensured Town were in the ascendancy for the majority of the half.
Second Half:
The second-half started just how the first had finished. Town were very much the side in the driving seat and were looking to trouble the Rovers back line at any given opportunity.
Town were looking like the only team to potentially score. John-Lewis was continuing to be a constant threat to the Rovers keeper. The striker once again broke through the back four but narrowly missed the target in the 66th minute.
Ball retention was proving to be Town’s strong point. The midfield were all doing well to limit any space for the visitors to spark any real dangerous attacks.
Lifumpa Mwandwe notched Town’s third goal of the game. The forward received the ball inside the box, took a neat touch and smashed the ball home into the net to give Town a three goal advantage.
The game ended with Town earning the win with three goals scored.