Carlisle United under-18s deservedly beat Shrewsbury Town 2-1 away from home at Lilleshall Sports Centre
Nathan Wheatley’s brace proved to be the difference as United picked up their first away win of the season.
Mark Birch made three changes from last weekend’s defeat at home to Burton Albion with Sam Worth, Tyler Cumersky and Harry Moynan replacing Brad Robinson, Zac Tonge and Josh Wade.
The visitors started the game with intent, Will Rafferty and Ben Aaron both put dangerous deliveries into the Shrewsbury box in the early stages of the match.
The Blues deservedly took the lead through Nathan Wheatley, who was on the end of a brilliant team move to finish past the Shrews’ ‘keeper.
Wheatley would get his second of the afternoon 15 minutes later when he was played through on goal by Aaron, before rounding the ‘keeper and finishing into an empty net.
Despite a dominant display, Worth was called upon just before half-time when he showed superb reflexes to keep his clean sheet intact.
HALF-TIME: Shrewsbury Town 0-2 Carlisle United
United’s talisman, Wheatley, came incredibly close to grabbing his hat-trick after he was sent through on goal, but Shrewsbury’s goalkeeper was equal to him.
The hosts would pull a goal back with just over 20 minutes left on the clock, after their number nine got on the end of a dinked ball into the box.
Will Rafferty, who was a constant threat on both wings, was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet after having a powerful strike deflected just wide of goal.
The Shrews ‘keeper was lucky to stay on the pitch in the closing stages of the match after he wiped out Trialist A after he was played through on goal, with the referee only showing him a yellow card.
The Blues would hold on for a vital win, having now won two of their first three league games.
FULL-TIME: Shrewsbury Town 1-2 Carlisle United
Team:
Carlisle United: Worth, Moynan, Thwaites (Harabasz 62’), McDonough, Miller, Boertien, Rafferty, Aaron, Wheatley (Trialist A), Bell (C), Cumersky (Hodgson 46’)
Unused subs:
Robinson, Blaylock
Goals:
Carlisle United: (Wheatley 15’, 33’)
Yellow Cards:
Carlisle United: (Wheatley 34’), (Rafferty 43’), (Bell 56’)
Red Cards:
Carlisle United: N/A