Shrewsbury Town notebook: Penalty shoot-out hero, teenage star shines and key lessons learned

Shrewsbury Town began their season in emphatic style with a penalty shoot-out win over Salford City in the Carabao Cup.

Here are some thoughts from my notebook during the game, with the things that caught the eye and what we learned from Town’s opening competitive outing.

Brilliance from Brook

Will Brook was the hero, making four penalty saves as Shrewsbury secured victory.

The shoot-out just kept going, with Salop unable to capitalise on several opportunities to seal victory. But Brook never faltered, saving four of the five penalties that the hosts failed to convert.

It was a fantastic start to the season for the goalkeeper, who produced several stops during the 90 minutes before becoming the shoot-out hero.

Red card almost costs Town

Sam Stubbs delivered a strong tackle as he looked to regain possession, but was shown a second yellow card.

Town protested the decision, but the referee may have deemed the challenge dangerous, with Stubbs’ feet potentially being considered off the ground, but either way it left Shrewsbury facing the final stages with 10 men.

Boss Gavin Cowan gave his backing to the defender after the game.

Hugo Aiston

The record-breaker was back involved, just months after becoming the club’s youngest-ever player.

Despite not featuring for the first team throughout pre-season, Aiston was included in the squad for the trip to Salford.

However, the 15-year-old did not make it onto the pitch on this occasion.

Absentees return

Recent absentees including Luca Hoole and Jack Price returned to the matchday squad and were both introduced from the bench.

It was great to see the pair back involved for Shrewsbury following their respective injury problems, while Stubbs also returned to the starting XI after missing the final pre-season outing.

It means Salop have a healthy squad to begin the new campaign, which is exactly what Cowan will have wanted after a summer of rebuilding.

Will Gray

Just 17 years old, fresh from signing his first professional contract, but already picking up where he left off last season and excelling.

Gray battled hard to win possession, was a nuisance and a handful for Salford, and helped Town build attacks.

There were also some moments on the ball that had you in awe. He looks a real talent and will be one to keep an eye on this season.

Hopefully the knock he sustained is nothing serious.

Josh Davison

Josh Davison, by his own admission, has endured a difficult few years in front of goal, but now has a fresh start which he is relishing.

And he got his campaign off to the perfect start.

Following a brace a week earlier in pre-season, which he hoped could kick-start a goalscoring run, the striker fired home Town’s first goal of the season.

Chances had been limited for the forward, but he showed good awareness to follow up Isaac Fletcher’s initial effort and find the back of the net.

It is exactly the kind of start Davison will have been hoping for.

Using the wings

Shrewsbury were effective in the wide areas, with Arkell Jude-Boyd continuing to impress.

Jude-Boyd was a constant threat down the right and delivered several inviting crosses into the box after beating his man.

Both of Town’s wide defenders showed no fear in getting forward and getting involved. That could be an important feature of Cowan’s side this season.