Town’s youngsters in spotlight

The next generation of Shrewsbury Town footballers have been urged to grasp their “once in a lifetime opportunity” on one of English football’s grandest stages.Town’s youngsters make the trip to St James’ Park to meet Newcastle in the third round of the FA Youth Cup on Monday (7pm).

Shrewsbury are currently struggling in the Puma Youth Alliance and will be overwhelming underdogs against their Premier Academy League opponents.

But Head of Youth Nigel Vaughan is hoping playing in a 50,000 capacity stadium will inspire his side to cause a massive upset.

“We will be a bit apprehensive going up there but we have to enjoy it and try and make life as difficult for them as possible,” he said.

“Everyone needs to believe in their own ability and work hard for each other and you never know what could happen on the night.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for all the lads and, whatever happens, nobody can take away from them the fact that they have played at St James’ Park.

“Our form hasn’t been good - we have lost our last three games 5-1, 5-1 and 4-1 - and we know we can’t afford to concede cheap goals like we have done recently.

“But we have prepared well and hopefully that will help us.

“We need to make life as difficult for them as possible and put them under pressure.

“They might cope with it but Chasetown beating Port Vale this week in the proper FA Cup shows anything is possible.

“We are representing Shrewsbury Town and we are also representing our whole Centre of Excellence and Youth Scheme so hopefully we can do ourselves justice.”

Shrewsbury, who will include 14-year-old right-back Scott Keys in their squad, will make the trip to the north-east tomorrow for an overnight stay ahead of the game on Monday.

The Shrewsbury line-up is: Jasbir Singh, Scott Keys, Harry Hooman, Dan Pyle, Aaron Gibson, Steve Davey, Steve Allen, Anthony McDowell, Aaron Brown, Tom Moss, Dan Evans. Subs: Tom Birch, Callum Wright, Callum Evans, Jason Wood, Jan Coulston.