Pre-season: AFC Telford 1 Shrewsbury Town 2 - Report
Shrewsbury Town's extra class told in the end as they won 2-1 in a friendly at county rivals AFC Telford United.
The effort of Gavin Cowan's Bucks could not be faulted and they took an early lead through Amari Morgan-Smith.
John Askey's charges gained confidence towards the end of the first half though, with Lenell John-Lewis missing a penalty before Arthur Gnahoua equalised.
Fejiri Okenabirhie rounded off some lovely play to put the League One team ahead, and they spurned a couple of chances to extend their advantage over the National League North outfit at the death.
Telford gave several fringe players a chance to impress. Morgan-Smith and Jason Cowley started together up top while Steph Morley, who has been dealing with a slight knock over the past couple of weeks, began at left-back.
New signings Charlie Colkett and Josh Laurent were in from the off for Town, as was trialist goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook - formerly of Coventry City and Swindon Town. Among the substitutes was a mystery trialist, down on the team sheet as Gerado.
The Bucks, in their red third kit as their home strip is yet to arrive, made the perfect start.
They won a free-kick on the left-hand side and Morley was precise with his delivery, finding Morgan-Smith who gratefully side-footed the ball into the bottom corner.
Salop had a fantastic chance to grab a swift equaliser as Kieran Kennedy headed back across goal following a corner before John-Lewis nodded onto the crossbar from a few yards out.
The game was being played at a high tempo, with both sets of fans making their voices heard. Telford looked more assured in the opening half an hour despite being three divisions below - James McQuilkin and Henry Cowans calm in possession. Colkett was Town's bright spark.
As half time drew near, Salop piled on the pressure. They were awarded a penalty after Bucks goalkeeper Sheridan Martinez was deemed to have tripped John-Lewis, who then scuffed the spot-kick wide.
Askey's men got their leveller at long last as Gnahoua, on the turn from 20 yards, curled the ball past an outstretched Martinez. Ryan Haynes cracked the crossbar before the interval too.
Neither team made a change for the start of the second period. Martinez prevented another Town goal shortly after the restart, uniquely keeping out John-Lewis's low drive with his feet.
He could not do anything to deny substitute Okenabirhie in the 65th minute though. It was an exquisite move - new-boy Laurent bursting up the pitch, playing a one-two with Gnahoua and teeing up Okenabirhie to convert first time, just a few minutes after coming on.
Switches for the two sides then came by the boatload. Among them was Alex Gilliead, who was a big threat for Salop with his willingness to run at the Telford defence at every opportunity.
The Bucks were incensed at not being awarded a penalty after Charles-Cook rushed out and clipped Morgan-Smith.
Town could have had a third before the final whistle but Ryan Barnett's clever cross just evaded Gilliead. Okenabirhie missed a sitter as well.
Teams
Telford (4-4-2): Martinez; White, Sutton (c) (Lilly, 83), Streete, Morley (Smith, 63); Cowans (Barnes-Homer, 71), McQuilkin (Deeney, 71), Royle, Dawson (Ellis, 71); Morgan-Smith, Cowley
Subs not used: Udoh, Brown, Knights, Wycherley (gk)
Shrewsbury (4-4-2): Charles-Cook (Gregory 80), Hendrie, Kennedy, Sadler (Sears 62), Haynes (Jules 70), Eisa, Colkett (Gerado 82), Laurent (Barnett 75) , Gnahoua, Payne (Gilliead 62), John-Lewis (Okenabirhie 62).
Attendance: 1,065
