Shrewsbury’s unbeaten run under Paul Hurst continues as they secure a comfortable victory at the Riverside.
Salop could not progress beyond the group stages of the Checkatrade Trophy; which would perhaps see players forgiven if they decided to down tools.
However, two goals from AJ Leitch-Smith and one for Ivan Toney, ensured that complacency was thrown out of the window.
Only 308 people were inside the Riverside which has a capacity of 33,750; but the very small pocket of Shrewsbury fans at least had something to celebrate.
Paul Hurst made four changes from the side that beat Barnet 3-0 on Saturday. Mark Halstead, Shaun Whalley, Olly Lancashire, and Dom Smith were handed starts.
Callum Burton appeared on the bench, as Jayson Leutwiler is on international duty with Canada.
Middlesbrough U23’s had two recognisable faces in their eleven. Brazilian Fabio formerly of Manchester United, QPR, and Cardiff slotted in at left-back. Winger Carlos De Pena, who has made six
league appearances for the senior side, gave extra speed down the flanks for the Boro.
Town took just nine minutes to register the game’s first goal. Striker AJ Leitch-Smith, who is still on the search for his first league goal for Shrewsbury, continues to impress in cup competitions.
He showed great strength to shrug off the advances of two defenders, before thrashing the ball past Middlesbrough’s keeper Jo Fryer.
Leitch-Smith has now scored against Huddersfield, Barnet, and Middlesbrough U23 in cup fixtures so far this season.
Not content with one, Salop added a second five minutes later. Ivan Toney scored his 6th goal in a blue and amber shirt, as he whipped a free-kick beyond Fryer’s outstretched fingertips.
Middlesbrough’s best attacking outlet was predictably Carlos De Pena. The former Nacional man flashed two drives goalwards, which saw Mark Halstead push both to safety.
Just before the break Shrewsbury came close to finding a third. AJ Leitch-Smith was in amongst the action once more when he bore forward into the box, before seeing his smart effort clawed away by Jo Fryer.
At the beginning of the second half, Junior Brown sent a tantalising delivery into the box. Louis Dodds found himself unmarked, but his header missed the target by a considerable distant.
With an hour gone, Town made sure they recorded their first win of the season in the EFL Trophy.
AJ Leitch-Smith showed excellent control and struck a low drive beyond the reach of Fryer.
Junior Brown was forced off the pitch following an injury, his replacement was ex Birmingham defender Mat Sadler.
Winger Shaun Whalley came close to securing his first goal since returning from injury. His curling effort just dipped over the bar.
Ivan Toney struck the bar from a free-kick as Shrewsbury searched for a fourth.
The home side had the final chance of the contest. Bryn Morris engineered himself some room inside the box, but his shot was well blocked.
After back-to-back cup games, Shrewsbury return to league duties on Saturday by welcoming Oxford. Middlesbrough U23 face Charlton U23 on Friday.
Attendance: 308
Team Line Ups:
Middlesbrough U23
40. Fryer, 50. Johnson, 53. McGoldrick, 44. Elsdon, 2. Fabio, 59. Morris, 58. Morelli (83), 56. Maloney (61), 16. De Pena, 42. Cooke, 57. Mondal (61)
Subs: 43. Coulson (83), 51. Kitching, 52. McAloon (61), 54. McGee, 60. Pears, 64. Wheatley (61)
Subs Not Used: 51. Kitching, 54. McGee, 60. Pears
Shrewsbury Town
21. Halstead, 5. Lancashire, 14. Grimmer, 15. Smith, 12. Brown (61), 7. Whalley, 8. Ogogo, 18. Deegan, 10. Dodds, 20. Leitch-Smith (61), 9. Toney
Subs: 3.Sadler (61), 6. Black, 11. O’Brien, 16. Sarcevic, 25. Burton, 27. Waring, 30. Jones (61)
Subs Not Used: 6. Black, 11. O’Brien, 16. Sarcevic, 25. Burton, 27. Waring
Other Checkatrade Trophy Results (at the time of writing)
Group A:
Everton U23 1 – 1 Blackpool (Blackpool won 5-4 on pens)
Cheltenham 1 – 0 Bolton
Portsmouth 1 – 0 Bristol Rovers
Group B:
Newport 2 – 0 AFC Wimbledon
Swansea U23 2 – 0 Plymouth
Crewe 0 – 2 Chesterfield
Wolves U23 4 – 0 Accrington
Group C:
Chelsea U23 1 – 1 Oxford (Chelsea U23 won 13-12 on pens)
Exeter 1 – 1 Swindon (Swindon won 4-2 on pens)
Stoke U23 1 – 1 Bury (Stoke U23 won 4-3 on pens)
Group D:
Northampton 1 – 1 West Ham U23 (West Ham U23 won 3-2 on pens)
Blackburn U23 2 – 2 Oldham (Oldham won 5-4 on pens)
Group E:
Colchester 1 – 1 Charlton (Colchester won 4-3 on pens)
Derby County U23 2 – 3 Mansfield
Doncaster 0 – 0 Port Vale (Doncaster win 4-3 on pens)
Group F:
Norwich City U23 4 – 1 MK Dons
Barnet 1 – 2 Peterborough
Group G:
Brighton U23 1 – 0 Leyton Orient
Stevenage 4 – 0 Southend
Cambridge 0 – 2 Scunthorpe
Group H:
Luton 1 – 3 Millwall
West Brom U23 0 – 2 Gillingham
Leicester U23 0 – 1 Walsall
Report by: Ryan Hillback