Match Report | Coventry City 2-5 Shrewsbury Town

The U18S got their U18 PDL Cup campaign off to a positive start with an emphatic win over Coventry City. The game got off to a frantic start with the young Shrews leading 3-1 inside 5minutes. Within a minute of kick-off, an early cross into the box from Fallon after a quick break down the right was bundled home by Aiston. Coventry levelled the game a minute late after a wide free-kick wasn’t dealt with and a deflected effort from the second phase wrong-footed the unfortunate Barton in goal. It took only another minute before Shrewsbury regained the lead. Aiston once again caused problems, driving at the back line before sliding the ball wide. The two U16s then combined with Rose crossing to the edge of the box and McLaughlin arriving on cue to finish into the bottom corner. From the resulting kick-off, Shrewsbury pressing high up the pitch led to Rose winning a free-kick, which he himself took and dispatched with a low drive into the far corner.

Finally, the game calmed and Town at times enjoyed some comfortable spells in possession and were rarely threatened, taking their lead into half-time.

Coventry upped the tempo in the second half, starting strongly however, the back line stood firm and just after the hour mark all hopes of a comeback were squashed. A quick counter-attack from Jack Donnelly, his first start since his return from injury, led to him cutting the ball back to the edge of the box to Tait, who buried his shot high into the roof of the net. Shrewsbury made 5 soon after, Rose delivering a corner for Shaw to rise highest to find the back of the net.

The latter stages were fairly comfortable however right at the death there was a consolation goal for Coventry, a through ball sent the striker through on goal, Barton made a good save low to his right however he could do nothing about the rebound.

A really good performance from the team, which they will look to build on this evening as they take on Port Vale in the U17 PDL Cup at Lilleshall 7 pm.