IN a closely contested match Ross Juniors lost 3-2 to a strong Shrewsbury Town eleven.

Ross started well, winning a penalty after only two minutes when Luke was tripped and then calmly scored from the spot.

The Juniors continued to play well with some slick passing between Harry, Ollie and Shaun, who came close with a long range shot.

But after 16 minutes Shrewsbury drew level, also from a penalty, after Nat handled the ball. The goal energised the home team and Ross were pushed back into defence with only strong tackles from Elliot and Will and a point blank save from Josh keeping the scores level.

Then on the half hour Matt powered through the Shrewsbury defence, forcing a fine save from their keeper only to be fouled going for the rebound. Once again Luke converted the resulting penalty.

Ross continued to play fast attractive football and ended the half in the lead, but only a minute after the restart Shrewsbury drew level.

A long ball beat Ross on the break and the Shrewsbury striker outpaced the defence to score.

The second half became increasingly scrappy with the Juniors pushed back into their own half, needing fine saves from Josh, strong tackling from Matt and Shaun and goal line clearances from Nat and Josh to keep them in the game.

But Shrewsbury finally took the lead when a corner beat the defence and they scored from close range.

Ross tried everything to get an equaliser with Owain coming closest when his shot was cleared off the line, but in the end couldn't overcome the home team.