Josh Ruffels strikes as Shrewsbury Town make it back-to-back pre-season wins

Josh Ruffels’ second-half header earned Shrewsbury Town back-to-back pre-season victories in their first home friendly.

Ruffels nodded home in the 58th minute to settle the contest as Shrewsbury supporters got their first glimpse of Gavin Cowan’s side on home soil.

All of Salop’s summer signings featured once again, but neither Luca Hoole nor George Lloyd were involved after picking up knocks in previous pre-season outings.

Hoole, who rolled his ankle against Stafford Rangers last week, watched from the sidelines as Lloyd continued his recovery with running and ball work.

Young forward Jay Snook led the line alongside new signing Josh Davison, but Town were forced into an early change when Snook went down injured. After receiving treatment, he was replaced by Jeval Thompson-McKenzie.

Davison produced Salop’s first meaningful effort on the half-hour mark. The ball dropped kindly to him from a corner and he struck a sweet half-volley, but could not keep his effort below the crossbar.

Moments later, fellow summer recruit Isaac Fletcher saw a shot blocked as Town began to build momentum.

New wing-back Arkell Jude-Boyd was a lively attacking outlet throughout the first half, delivering several dangerous balls into the box. He also threatened himself, cutting inside from the right before curling a shot narrowly wide as the interval approached.

But it was the visitors who came closest to breaking the deadlock before the break with their only effort of the half. Will Brook produced an excellent diving save to his left, getting a strong hand to Harvey Foster’s goal-bound free-kick.

That proved to be Brook’s only action of the evening, with new loan signing Sam Proctor introduced for the second half alongside Jay Turner-Cooke and Jack Price.

The visitors started the second period brightly, but Town broke the deadlock just before the hour through Ruffels.

The defender finished off the move he had started after playing Thompson-McKenzie through on goal, only for his effort to be saved. The ball was recycled into the box and Ruffels was on hand to head home from close range.

Several changes followed for Town, with Jay Turner-Cooke among those introduced. He forced a good save before firing over moments later as Everton played the closing stages with 10 men after using all of their substitutions.