Youth team talk of the Toon

Shrewsbury Town’s FA Youth Cup heroes were today anticipating a mouth-watering trip to Chelsea in the fourth round after recording an astonishing 1-0 victory at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park.

A last-minute Stephen Allen winner sealed the win for head of youth Nigel Vaughan’s young side at the home of the Premiership giants last night.

“It was a great night,” said Vaughan. “We prepared properly.

“The backroom staff of Fiona Hodgson, Steve Wheatley, Nathan Ring, Andy Mulliner and myself went on a little tour before the game in the afternoon while the lads were in the hotel sleeping.

“The actual stadium and club was immense. They really looked after us and that gave us the platform for the team meeting before the game.

“We told the lads it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and they certainly made the most of it.”

Allen was the match winner, but captain and goalkeeper Jasbir Singh was also praised by Vaughan for his outstanding efforts.

“Jasbir made some great saves,” he revealed.

“There was one double save in the second half in particular, and after that happened we really believed in ourselves.

“You expect Newcastle, with their budget and how much they put into their academy, to come out and have a good go and give you a good game.

“The lads did ever so well, not just the 11 or 12 that played but the people behind the scenes too.

“When the winner went in we were all on the pitch and going wild, and rightly so because this is a real giant-killing.”

Town’s victory was watched by the club’s chief executive Steve Wellbeloved, who made the long journey to the north-east on his own, as well as assistant manager John McMahon.

The team themselves had travelled up earlier, staying in a four star hotel in nearby Gosforth, and Vaughan is now hoping the cash can be found to make the trip to Chelsea next month in similar style.