John McAtee and Louis Dodds help Shrewsbury Town claim tour victory
Shrewsbury Town began their summer friendly programme and ended their Portugal tour on a high with a 2-0 behind-closed-doors victory over Ebbsfleet United.
Goals from youngster John McAtee and Louis Dodds either side of half-time handed Paul Hurst's side the win at the end of a gruelling week's warm-weather training on the continent.
Town lined up at the Vila Real Santo Antonio Stadium against an Ebbsfleet side that included ex-Town defenders Dave Winfield and Yado Mambo.
Hurst had a near-full squad to choose from with Ebou Adams and Jon Nolan getting over minor knocks, while Shaun Rowley was missing as he waits on a scan for his injured knee.
New addition Arthur Gnahoua began brightly and was turning his fullback inside out before sending in such dangerous deliveries throughout the first period.
Midway through the first period Bryn Morris found the space on the edge of the box to fire in a shot that stung the keeper's hands.
Ebbsfleet were proving a dangerous opposition and got into some good position around the box. Winfield found space in the box and got a header in on goal but debutant Craig MacGillivray made a comfortable save.
Lenell John-Lewis forged a chance five minutes before the break after good work down the left but the post came to the rescue to Town's National League opposition.
Town got their noses in front on the stroke of half-time. Again Hurst's side found the space to break down the left and a delivery found McAtee in space who hit a left-foot shot back across Ashmore to finish well.
Hurst rang the changes at the interval as a near new-look side came out for the second period.
It was another competitive 45 minutes of football as the two sides put in the work and effort out on the pitch.
Dodds added a different dimension in the Shrewsbury attack and got into a number of promising position, testing the Ebbsfleet shot-stopper.
Last season's National League South promotion winners United looked to have grabbed a goal back after Mambo put the ball past MacGillivray but the officials ruled the equaliser out.
A mistake by Ebbsfleet meant Dodds was on-hand to punish and make Town's lead comfortable, slotting in to double their advantage.
A competitive outing saw bookings for Town duo Toto Nsiala and Abu Ogogo in what proved a handy workout as Town jet back to English soil ready for their clash on Tuesday night at Brackley Town (7pm kick-off).
