VICTORIES are one thing – but Shawbury United boss Dave Richards is even happier about his constantly buzzing mobile!

Shawbury followed up their opening-day draw at Shifnal with a superb 3-0 derby win over Wem Town on Saturday to continue their solid start to life back in the West Midlands Premier.

A huge player exodus following Shawbury’s relegation from the Midland Premier has been softened by the emergence of several young stars.

And Richards has been delighted with their attitude, saying: “When me or my assistant send group messages on What’s App asking who is available, we get 16-17 replies within half an hour.

“I’ve been in management ten years and I’ve never known it like that. There seems to be a really good atmosphere and that’s what you get with young lads.

“We didn’t know what was going to happen when we got relegated and 90-95 per cent of the players left but there’s a fresh buzz around the place.”

Rifat Ata gave Shawbury a half-time lead against Wem before second-half strikes from new arrivals Connor Stephenson and Harvey Pearson sealed the points.

Richards added: “There’s a lot been said about us having a young side and we had five lads who are 16 or 17 in the starting line-up on Saturday.

“And they took a lot of stick physically – it being a local derby, there were a few nasty tackles going in – but it was pleasing to see they could handle it and come out on top.”

Shawbury now face a two-week gap until their next game – at Dudley Sports in the FA Vase on Saturday, September 1 – with this weekend’s scheduled opponents Wednesfield in FA Cup action.

United should be hosting AFC Bridgnorth next Tuesday (August 28) after both clubs agreed to push the Bank Holiday fixture back a day but the league vetoed those plans.

Richards added: “I just hope common sense prevails. Towards the end of the season, you are always asked to play three times a week because of call-offs – surely we should be trying to play while the weather is good?”