Head of youth Dave Hughes has revealed his excitement at the next generation of talent on the Shrewsbury Town conveyor belt.

Town’s young guns were in the spotlight last night when they represented the club in the Shropshire Senior Cup semi-final at the Oswestry home of The New Saints.

They were beaten 2-1 by their Welsh Premier hosts, but Hughes was delighted with his side’s efforts on a night when 15-year-old goalkeeper Callum Burton, a pupil at Newport’s Adams Grammar School, and a trio of 16-year-olds – Kevin Mbeleck, Sam Westray and Jack Gwilliams – were all named in the starting line-up.

“The boys were terrific and did everything we could ask of them,” said Hughes, who was taking the youth team for a four day pre-season camp in Aberystwyth today.

“We could have done without the game because we have only been back five days.

“A couple of mistakes led to a couple of goals – but when you think there are lads out there who are16 years of age and were in school three weeks ago, they were a great credit to themselves and the club.

“I genuinely believe there are exciting young players at the club.

“They need work, they are not the finished article, but they are exciting.”

Town’s first team were given the night off as manager Graham Turner didn’t want to risk his squad on the Astroturf at The Venue at this early stage in pre-season.

But they will play a private behind closed doors friendly on Thursday before tackling a Manchester United XI on Sunday.

By JAMES GARRISON