Four things that stood out in Shrewsbury’s pre-season defeat to Bolton

After four consecutive victories to start the summer, Salop were given a reality check as Wanderers beat them 5-2 at the Croud Meadow. 

The visitors led by three at half-time as Thierry Gale, Daeshon Lawrence and Josh Dacres-Cogley netted in the first 45. 

Callum Stewart made it 3-1 only for a Sam Stubbs own goal and Max Conway to make it five for Steven Schumacher’s side. Salop youngster Will Gray then added a late consolation with the last kick of the game. But what stood out from a strange evening at the Meadow? 

Callum Stewart

One of the questions most fans will be asking this season is where are the goals going to come from. 

Well, if Stewart’s pre-season form is anything to go by, then they will come from him. He has now scored four times this summer, and his latest goal was a well-taken header from close range after a delightful George Nurse cross. 

That is his second header which is not necessarily something you would associate with someone of Stewart’s stature, but he finds himself in the right place at the right time. He could be in line for a start come August 2. 

Quality of the opposition

Aside from the first outing against Stoke City, Town had played non-league sides. So this was always going to be a test. 

Bolton had so much pace on the wings, with Gale, who got the first goal of the night with a 25-yard screamer, being particularly impressive. 

Colleagues in the pressbox from a Bolton persuasion have high hopes for them this season, with them expected to compete right at the sharp end of the third tier.

Elyh Harrison’s  promising cameo

He may have only been on for 45 minutes, but you could see what the goalkeeper will bring to Shrewsbury. 

In the closing stages of the second half, there was the occasional moment where Salop played some crisp one-touch passing football - Harrison was essential to that. 

Sam Clucas and Taylor Perry both looked like they were dropping deep to receive the ball, and it was an early sign of what might be to come from a Town perspective. 

Youngsters stand up again 

It was just Jack Loughran and Isaac England in from the start for Town this time out, and they handled themselves really well against top-quality opposition. 

That has been one of the standouts of the summer matches. The young players, most of whom played in the Professional Development Trophy team, a competition which they won, looked really calm and composed among their more senior team-mates. 

Loughran is playing out of position. He is normally a forward, and he has been filling in at right wing-back, and England spent a large part of the second period playing at left wing-back. 

Gray came on and scored. He has been another bright spark.