Boss Rick Doody hailed his young guns as Bridgnorth Town Reserves beat the big freeze to get 2010 off to an entertaining start.

All other games involving Shropshire sides in the Sport Italia West Midlands League were called off at the weekend, due to either to frozen and snow covered or waterlogged pitches.

But the Crown Meadow pitch was passed fit to host the division one game with Penncroft on Saturday, and the supporters that ventured out were treated to an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Doody’s side, featuring a handful of teenagers, bossed the first half, but still found themselves one down at the break to a goal scored on the break.

They rallied in the second half, though, skipper Richard Golding putting them level with a strike from just outside the box.

Striker Ash Jones, who has returned to the club after a short spell at Shifnal, then put them in front 15 minutes from time.

But Penncroft had a sting in the tail, equalising with just two minutes to go.

“The lads really went up the gears in the second half and played exceptionally well,” said Doody.

“When we went in front I thought we’d go on to win because we were looking comfortable, but Penncroft dug in and got an equaliser.

“I’ve been striving all along to bring the young lads through, and we had five 18-year-olds in that team.

“The whole essence of the club is to have these lads coming through the youths into the reserves and, if they are good enough, then into the first team.”

At the top end of the table, Hanwood’s home clash with Dudley United and Wellington Amateurs’ trip to Trysull were called off.

The Ams played a friendly game against UniBond League division one south side Market Drayton Town on the Astroturf at Shrewsbury Sports Village.

And it was the Telford team who came out on top, beating Drayton 3-1 thanks to goals from Chris Henry (2) and Chris Brownlow.

The game was played over three periods of 35 minutes to give both teams a chance of giving their full squads a run-out.

In the premier division, Ludlow’s trip to Bustleholme was a casualty of the weather, and it was a similar story for Wem Town at home to Stone Old Alleynians in division two.