Shrewsbury Town sealed their pre-season with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Aston Villa’s youngsters, thanks to Isaac Fletcher’s last-gasp left-footed wonder strike. The goal left teammate Josh Davison stunned, admitting he had no idea Fletcher had such a strike in his locker.
What was the match’s turning point?
Fletcher’s 89th-minute strike from outside the box proved decisive after Villa had fought back from 2-0 down. Davison, who scored twice before being substituted, joked, “I watched that one from the side, but left-footed? I didn’t know he had that!” The goal capped a thrilling pre-season finale ahead of Shrewsbury’s Carabao Cup opener away to Salford City next weekend.
How did Shrewsbury build their lead?
Davison’s brace gave Shrewsbury a 2-0 lead at halftime, but Villa’s young guns rallied in the second half. A bizarre own goal from Shrewsbury’s on-loan goalkeeper Sam Proctor, who accidentally let a back-pass slip under his foot, helped Villa level the score. Fletcher’s late heroics ensured the win, leaving Davison delighted with the result.
Why was this a tough test?
Davison praised Villa’s young side, saying, “They’re good players-they wouldn’t be at Villa if they weren’t. It’s always tough playing against young lads trying to make their mark.” The victory gave Shrewsbury momentum heading into their next fixture against Oldham (away, 2027-02-27), where they currently sit 8th in the table.
What’s next for Shrewsbury?
With pre-season now complete, Shrewsbury will focus on their Carabao Cup clash against Salford City. Davison’s confidence is high after the win, and Fletcher’s wonder goal has added a spark of excitement as the team prepares for the new campaign.
