Teenage hot-shot Tom Bradshaw today reflected on the weekend he burst into the Shrewsbury Town limelight and declared: “It was the best feeling of my life.”

Bradshaw, who doesn’t turn 18 until July 27, arrived on the Football League scene in stunning fashion on Saturday as he marked his 14-minute debut as a substitute with two goals in the 3-0 triumph at Crewe.

His first came with a stunning 25 yard strike before he doubled his tally with a more routine close-range finish to help Town halt a six-game losing streak.

And Bradshaw was struggling to contain his delight after his Gresty Road exploits.

“I can’t describe how it feels,” said the youth-team forward, who was watched by his parents Sally and Chris.

“For the first goal, I shouldn’t have really shot from where I was.

“It was a stupid thing to do but to see it go in was amazing. And I was still on a high from the first one when the second goal went in

“It’s been a brilliant day and I would like to give a massive thanks to the manager for believing in me and giving me my chance.

“I’m just a 17-year-old lad in the youth team and it was the best feeling I’ve ever had in my life.”

Second year scholar Bradshaw arrived at Shrewsbury last summer from Aberystwyth, where he scored two Welsh Premier goals in four appearances.

The forward, who was born in Shrewsbury before moving down to Tywyn in Wales when he was two months old, also impressed for Aber’s Reserves in the Spar Mid Wales League.

And manager Paul Simpson was delighted to see the youngster – who was today planning to get the match-ball signed by his Shrewsbury team-mates – make an immediate impact.

“I’m delighted for Tom,” said Simpson. “He’s worked extremely hard and he’s got a smile on his face every single day he trains with us because he enjoys it that much.

“The first goal was a wonder strike a wonder strike. He was put on because he is prepared to run at people and he has done that.”

By JAMES GARRISON