Wanderers U18s were once again filled with U16 and U17 squad members as the club continued to provide a pathway through the academy, which saw Ethan Cutler given his first start at U18s level.
It was an even contest at the start of the match as an end-to-end opening couldn’t break the deadlock. Daeshon Lawrence saw two early attempts narrowly evade the Shrewsbury goal moments before Oliver Smith put his body on the line to prevent Wanderers going behind.
It took the young Whites 40 minutes until Daeshon Lawrence got the goal he deserved as a calamity around the Shrewsbury 18-yard box was pounced upon by Lawrence who took two touches before his effort slammed against the inside of the post to give Wanderers the lead.
Harry Leigh came close to doubling the score line in as many minutes as Ethan Cutler won the ball high up the pitch before releasing a pin point cross where Leigh’s first time shot clipped the top of the bar.
Wanderers went into the break with a firm grasp on the game after ending the first-half strongly. Harley Irwin was substituted at the break after going down with a head injury at the end of the half which saw David Abimbola introduced.
A lackluster start to the second-half gave Shrewsbury the chance to get back on level terms, in which they did through Luca Whitney.
Julian Darby opted for more changes with the final three introductions all being part of the U16 group.
On: Toby Ritchie, Zac Bowker, Joe Nicholson.
Off: James Westwood, Harrison Rice, Ethan Cutler
The substitutions made an immediate effect on the game with the young Whites creating countless chances before David Abimbola put Wanderers ahead. Abimbola rounded the keeper and slotted home his second goal in as many matches as the Whites looked set for victory.
Wanderers saw the game out which granted the U18s with their first three points in the Youth Alliance Cup.
The young Whites are next in action on the 28th of October when they once again face Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Youth Alliance North West League.
Starting 11: Barlow (GK), Cutler (Nicholson), Rice (Bowker), Smith, Hogan ©, Grayson, Westwood (Ritchie), Irwin (Abimbola), Lawrence, Fleury, Leigh.
Subs: Shakespear