Town's U18s travelled to Scunthorpe United in the Premier League Cup to take on the Sky Bet League Two sides U23 side.
It was always going to be a good test for the lads to go up against a good U23 side.
The U18s were bolstered with the addition of pros Ryan Barnett, James Rowland and Kian Taylor for the trip.
It was always going to be a good test for the lads to go up against a good U23 side.
The U18s were bolstered with the addition of pros Ryan Barnett, James Rowland and Kian Taylor for the trip.
In the end, it was the home side that ran out 2-0 winners with ex-Town Academy player John McAtee on target for the Irons.
Town had a chance late on with a Ryan Barnett penalty, but Irons keeper Collins guessed the right way and turned the ball onto the post.
ShrewsWeb spoke to Professional Development Phase Coach Callum McKenzie who was pleased with the U18s efforts against an older side.
"It was a really good challenge for our boys and was probably the first time most of them have played against older players", said Cal.
"That's the reason we took the game, to challenge them and see how they coped.
"We had Ryan, Kian and James involved as well which was good for our boys to play with some of our pros.
"It was a game that was played to give our boys a challenge and it certainly did that."
In the end, it was the defeat for the U18s but there are lots of good points to come from the game and lots for the lads to work on.
"We can take a lot from the second half, the first half it took us a little time to get going", said Cal.
"We did have two or three good chances in the first half and could have gone in front, and who knows how it would have unfolded if that had happened.
"As the first half wore on Scunthorpe's quality and age difference started to show a little bit.
"Credit to our lads though as in the second half we had a better structure about us and made it difficult to break us down.
"I was disappointed to concede from a corner and then to concede straight after that and is something I hope the lads will learn from when you go behind in a game you have to be solid for the 10 minutes after that and work yourself back into the game and don't concede.
"Unfortunately we did that and it was an uphill task after that.
"We did get a penalty with 10 minutes to go and we were really on top after that. Their manager did say if we have scored that penalty then we would have had a good chance to equalise."
Games like the one against Scunthorpe are good for the U18s to play as it gives a good test. There is a step up to U23 football and the plan is for similar games over the season.
"It's an opportunity with first-team staff watching the game it's a chance to put themselves into the shop window and show they deserve the chance to go with the first team", said Cal.
"A few showed that on Tuesday and others didn't really show that.
"We will try to get more games at that level and as we go through the season as I'm sure they will help he lads to improve.
"We will go through the game and there are points we have picked out that we can do better with. We felt we were a little passive in our block and didn't put enough pressure on, also set-pieces and defending the box."
The focus now switches back to the EFL Youth Alliance league games and a trip to Carlisle United on Friday.
"We travel to Carlisle on Friday, a long trip but one that we are looking forward to after last weeks games", said Cal.
"We will openly admit we weren't fantastic last week against Tranmere.
"We've analysed that game, the lads seem to be in a great state of mind and can't wait to try and get a win.
“We travel to Carlisle on Friday, a long trip but one that we are looking forward to after last weeks games”, said Cal.
“We will openly admit we weren’t fantastic last week against Tranmere.
“We’ve analysed that game, the lads seem to be in a great state of mind and can’t wait to try and get a win.
Town: Sam Agius, Jacob Bell, Luke Ward, Tom Davies, Dan Walker, James Rowland, Kian Taylor, Ryan Grovenor, Ryan Barnett, Jamaine Taylor, Archie Elmore
Subs: Jaden Bevan, Zak Hartley, Edan Sears, Lewis Redding, Charlie Carton