Shrewsbury Town Under-18s signed off their home campaign earlier today with a win over Salford City Under-18s at Shrewsbury Sports Village.
Salop got off to a fantastic start and could’ve had three in the first ten minutes. Their first chance came when Salford struggled to clear a corner. Vlad Paternoster put a low effort across goal that was tapped home by Harvey Kirby-Moore but he was flagged offside.
The second chance came from a penalty just two minutes later, which was rolled against the inside of the post and over the line by Louis Lloyd.
Lloyd got a second a further two minutes later when he chased down a back-pass, forcing the Salford ‘keeper to miss the ball completely. Lloyd ran onto the loose ball and tapped it into the empty net.
Town went close once more when Kirby-Moore struck a sweet half-volley from the edge of the box that clattered the crossbar in the 41st minute.
Chances were few and far between in the second period. Shrewsbury’s only one of the next 20 minutes fell to Lloyd who beat the ‘keeper but not the centre-back, who had made his way to the goal line and intercepted the shot.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, Salop added a third. Josh Barlow delivered a corner kick that Lloyd brought down and played it to Kade Craig. Craig put his foot through the ball and made it three.
Salford pulled one back moments later but it wasn’t enough to mount a turnaround and Shrewsbury held on to all three points.
Speaking after the game, Manager Kyle Kirby said:
"It's obviously nice to get the win but we certainly made hard work of it in the second half. I thought we were good value for the goals we got in the first half but Salford are a good side - we got stung at their place in the reverse fixture - so to repay that and score three goals is really pleasing.
"It's the last game the second years will play for us. Some will have other opportunities in terms of their situations and in some instances, they've got the opportunity in the first team, but others will have to leave and look for other opportunities. We wish them all the best, they've been a credit to themselves and the club and they've done it right today.
"The progression [to the first team] has been good this season and that's what we're here to do: try and get as many players in the first team or in and around the first-team's training to experience that. We're doing that and I think it shows good strength within the academy."
