Young Clarets see-off Salopians

James Craggs - scored from the spot

Following the arduous exploits of many of the lads this week all 2^nd year apprentices had been excused from duty. The starting line-up therefore consisted of 1^st years and the schoolboys who will make up next years intake. The bench had the U-16 keeper and four lads from the U-15 team. Our centre-half pairing were playing their 3^rd game in 4 days though, but from their display you wouldn't have guessed.

The wind was the real winner throughout the game as it impaired the game that both teams were attempting to play. The first attempt came after about ten minutes, as Dom Knowles fashioned an opening with a cute turn, but his shot was saved by the keeper. It was the beginning of perhaps our best spell as we created a number of chances over a 15 minute period. We should have found the back of the net as a queue of attackers all missed a beautifully floated ball from a free kick.

James Craggs then hooked the ball back across goal from a narrow angle whilst on the run and saw it run past the post. The pressure eventually told though as Knowles picked up the ball and advanced into the area, drawing the foul and winning a penalty. Craggs stepped up and beat the keeper to make it 1-0.

Shrewsbury then had a goal disallowed for offside. The winger broke down the left and although he looked off was allowed to continue. Instead of going for goal he chose to cross and the lad stroking home was himself offside. The Shrews also fired wide as the half wound down but we arrived at the break one goal to the good.

The second half really didn't offer up much in the way of goalmouth action. Dil Chaggar had two efforts but other than that there was not much else to report on. Craggs did leave the field with what looked a painful rib injury and that substitution, along with a couple of other saw the introduction of a trio of U-15 lads.

Team :- Stef Ritchie, Matt Lomas, Jake McIlinerey, Nik Kudiersky, Chris Lynch, Dil Chaggar, James Craggs (Dave Lynch), Chris Anderson, Oliver Devenney (U-15), Dom Knowles (Joe U-15), Liam Newman. Subs not used :- Dan MacDonald, U-15