Women's Team
Report | Shrews Women 4-1 Port Vale
Shrewsbury Town Women kicked off the season in style with a 4-1 win over Port Vale on Sunday afternoon.
It took just three minutes for Salop to make their mark on the game.
Kim Bebbington delivered a brilliant ball to Katie Doster, who was causing problems in the box.
The ball broke to Jeorgia Carr, who was on hand to knock it past the goalkeeper and hand her side an early lead.
Shrewsbury continued to press Port Vale, and it looked like Town had doubled their lead with Bebbington having the ball in the back of the net after just 15 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside.
Fortunately for the hosts, their second wasn't far away as, just three minutes later, Molly Wright put a dangerous ball into the box, which was well controlled by Doster.
She set it up for Carr, who calmly slotted home from the edge of the box to make it 2-0.
It took less than ten minutes for Town to make it three, and this time it was Doster's goal as she capitalised on a defensive mistake and slotted home from close range.
The visitors had hardly threatened in the first half and Town's dominance continued with a bright start to the second half that saw Zoe Child shoot narrowly wide of the mark.
However, Port Vale gained one back on the hour mark when Steph Kingston latched onto a throughball and slotted under Marlah Monro.
Town weren't to be deterred, though, and Carr grabbed her hat-trick in the 68th minute.
Doster was once again involved, winning the ball back and taking aim.
Her shot was saved, but Carr pounced on the rebound and smashed it in the back of the net.
Vale came close to another consolation goal when they rattled the crossbar in the 80th minute, but ultimately Salop saw out their victory comfortably.
Shrews Women are back at home on Sunday against Lye Town.
Starting XI: Monro, Wallace, Owen, Raby, Stanley, Woodward, Evans, Wright, Carr, Doster, Bebbington.
Bench: Joseph, Jennings-Davis, Brown, Child, Jones.
