We started strongly at the Croud Meadow. Mheuka opened the scoring, converting Kian Best’s driven cross with a powerful finish. The hosts, however, struck back just four minutes later. Tommy McDermott’s long-range effort took a deflection and found the top corner, bringing the scores level heading into the break.

Much like the first half, we began the second period brightly, but Shrewsbury found the breakthrough. Captain John Marquis put the hosts ahead with a low strike inside the box, before Will Boyle sealed the result with a header to close out the evening.

The result means the young Blues missed out on points in our opening EFL Trophy group-stage fixture.

Fierce start

Our first cup fixture began at a high tempo, with Chelsea enjoying plenty of possession in the early stages. We pressed the men’s side back into their own half, and it felt like only a matter of time before we made the breakthrough – and we did.

It came from a brilliant run down the flank by Best, who drove forward with pace before delivering a low cross into the box. Our Under-21s captain, Mheuka, slid in at close range to finish, putting the Blues in front with a well-worked goal.

Unfortunately, the lead didn’t last long. Shrewsbury Town responded almost immediately, as McDermott unleashed a powerful effort from distance. The strike took a deflection off a Chelsea defender and looped into the top corner, beyond Gabriel Slonina’s reach. It was an early reminder that this was going to be an open, exciting clash.

We looked to restore our advantage quickly. Ryan Kavuma-McQueen surged upfield and found Richard Olise, who broke into the box, but Elyh Harrison was quick off his line to smother the chance.

As the game reached the 25-minute mark, the tempo began to settle, with both sides searching for openings as play swung from end to end.

Shrewsbury pushed forward, but our young Blues stood firm. Landon Emenalo impressed with some solid defensive work, denying Tom Sang on the flank with a series of strong tackles. At the other end, Callum Stewart tested Slonina from inside the area, but our keeper reacted sharply, holding on to the effort to keep us level.

Swinging momentum

We came close to regaining the lead as Kavuma-McQueen again burst down the wing. His precise cut-back found Olise inside the box, who fired low from close range, only for Harrison to somehow keep the ball out.

Moments later, the action swung to the other end. Salops captain Marquis tried his luck with a powerful strike that flew over the bar, giving Chelsea a narrow escape. Marquis then went close again, this time connecting with Stewart’s cross, but his effort also cleared the woodwork.

Slonina was called into action once more as half-time approached. From Sang’s whipped corner, Sam Stubbs rose highest at the back post and powered a header towards goal from a tight angle. Our keeper reacted superbly, pushing the ball away from danger to ensure we went into the interval on level terms.

Chelsea started the second period brightly. Mheuka slipped a clever pass through to Kavuma-McQueen inside the area, but his stinging effort crashed against the crossbar, denying him a place on the score sheet.

Moments later, Mheuka thought he had restored our lead and doubled his tally. Kavuma-McQueen carried the ball forward brilliantly before sending in a low cross for the striker to tap home. However, to Chelsea’s disappointment, the referee’s assistant raised his flag for offside.

Disappointment at the end

Against the run of play, it was the senior side who moved in front after capitalising on an error at the back. A loose Chelsea pass allowed Isaac England to pick up possession and find Marquis, who slotted home from inside the box.

That frustration deepened shortly after, when the hosts extended their advantage. From a floated Sam Clucas corner, Boyle rose highest and guided a header past Slonina to make it 3–1.

Despite the home side gaining momentum, the young Blues continued to battle and search for a late response. Five minutes of stoppage time were added, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit, as two second-half goals for the Salops proved decisive.

What's next

Chelsea’s next EFL Vertu Trophy fixture is against Northampton Town on Tuesday 23 September at Sixfields Stadium, with kick-off at 7pm.

Before then, we are back in action on Friday with an away trip to Aston Villa in the Premier League 2, also kicking off at 7pm. That league match will be available to watch live for free via the Official Chelsea App and website.

The teams

Chelsea (3-2-4-1): Gabriel Slonina; Kaiden Wilson, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Landon Emenalo (Genesis Antwi 63); Ollie Harrison, Jimi Tauriainen (Reggie Walsh h-t); Richard Olise, Leo Cardoso, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (Jesse Derry 63), Kian Best (Harrison McMahon h-t); Shumaira Mheuka (c) (Chizaram Ezenwata 73)
Unused sub: Freddy Bernal
Scorer: Mheuka 10
Booked: Cardoso 21, Tauriainen 27

Shrewsbury Town: Elyh Harrison, Tom Anderson, Will Boyle, Sam Clucas (Malvind Benning 82), Tommy McDermott, Tom Sang (Harrison Biggins 82), Taylor Perry (Will Gray 86), Callum Stewart (Luca Hoole 51), Sam Stubbs, John Marquis (c), Isaac England
Unused subs: Toby Savin, Toto Nsiala
Scorers: McDermott 14, Marquis 65, Boyle 72
Booked: Perry 29, McDermott 61, Clucas 79, Boyle 88