Under-18s make strong start to 2025/26

Following a positive pre-season and a strong start to the campaign, Town's under-18s are well prepared going into the 2025/26 campaign.

Salop began their competitive season with a strong 3-0 win away at Rotherham United Under-18s. A strike from new recruit Kaysha Kameni on his debut and two well-taken efforts from Simba Nyamwanza secured the points.

This was a sign of Town reaping their rewards for a tough but beneficial pre-season, where the scholars stretched themselves not only against academy teams in Cardiff City Under-18s and Cheltenham Town Under-18s, but also against senior non-league opposition in Kidsgrove Athletic, Whitchurch Alport, Northwich Victoria and Shifnal Town.

Defeat at Northwich was followed by a 4-3 victory over Whitchurch Alport and a 3-1 win against Cardiff.

Kidsgrove were the last team to inflict loss on our under-18s as the scholars saw out pre-season with a 2-2 draw at Shifnal Town and another 3-1 success, this time over Cheltenham.

Given the heavy involvement of under-18s players in first-team games and training sessions, selected under-16s and under-15s made the step up and applied themselves superbly throughout pre-season.

However, not all the positive work was done on the pitch as the scholars also bonded with a trip to Love2Stay at Salop Leisure and were treated to an off-site workout in The Quarry, which they won’t forget in a hurry!

And of course, the academy proudly saw Isaac England sign his first professional contract with the club, having been with the club since the age of five at the start of August.

Finally, due to last weekend's postponed league fixture against Morecambe Under-18s, Town took on TNS Under-19s in their last friendly fixture, securing a comfortable 4-2 victory.

After a slow start, TNS took an early lead, but that only kicked the scholars into gear as they controlled the game for large parts, with their high pressure proving too much for their opponents.

Isaac England scored directly from a free-kick and also converted a penalty won by Arnold Manseya. Simba rounded off the first-half turnaround, finishing a quick transition. The afternoon was topped off by Fin Tait, who was on hand to convert following a dazzling run and through ball from Will Gray.

Town had a host of other chances to further extend their lead, and despite conceding a consolation from a corner, the under-18s set themselves up for tomorrow's fixture away at Doncaster Rovers.