Shrewsbury Town 2 Southend 0 - Report and pictures

Two first-half goals from Greg Docherty and Lee Angol saw Salop climb out of League One’s bottom four with a deserved three points.

It was Askey’s 10th game as Shrewsbury chief, the eighth in the league, and the boss finally had an result to celebrate as visitors Southend rarely troubled the Town goal.

Docherty swept in his second goal in as many games after expert wing play from Alex Gilliead and Angol added his third goal in Shrewsbury corners with a poacher’s strike from Shaun Whalley’s corner.

Town were extremely comfortable in a second half where they could have added more and held the visitors at arm’s length with Joel Coleman barely tested.

Anthony Grant was in imperious form once more against his former side, while Gilliead, Luke Waterfall and Angol gave commanding displays to see Town up to 17th in the early standings.

Analysis

The Town boss brought in two changes from his side’s impressive display at Portsmouth.

Angol, who missed the game at Fratton Park due to his partner giving birth, was back in the lone striker role for Lenell John-Lewis, who dropped to the bench.

In too came goal hero Docherty. The on-loan Rangers man, who netted with his second touch a minute after coming from the bench, replaced Josh Laurent.

James Bolton recovered from a hamstring injury to make the bench with on-loan Ipswich man Josh Emmanuel at right-back.

Anthony Grant, who spent four years with Southend earlier in his career, was included in the Salop team. Grant once scored at the Meadow for the Shrimpers.

Chris Powell’s Southend, who despite sitting 16th had lost more gamers (four) than Shrewsbury (three) ahead of kick-off, made two changes.

He included Jason Demetriou, who had been away with Cyprus on international duty and centre-half Taylor Moore - making his debut on loan from Bristol City.

Askey had regularly bemoaned his side’s slow starts in league games at the Meadow so far this season.

But Town quickly got into their stride and gave the home support something to cheer about.

Just four minutes were on the clock when Town scored their first league goal in front of the South Stand, that houses the safe standing supporters, since its launch.

It was also the first time Shrews have led at home all season.

Former Shrimper Grant found Gilliead on the left flank and the winger did not think twice about trying to beat right-back Demetriou for pace.

He flew past the Cypriot and stabbed a fine cross towards the penalty spot which was picked up by Docherty, who took a touch to compose himself, before hammering into the roof of the net.

It was the Scottish midfielder’s second goal in two games.

The relief at the Meadow was palpable as the supporters finally enjoyed a goal that performances have often merited but not delivered.

Town were playing at a high tempo that their visitors were struggling to deal and, for the first 15 or 20 minutes, it was all Salop.

The hosts were weaving magic down the left as Gilliead and makeshift left-back Omar Beckles combined brilliantly at times.

But Shrewsbury’s next opening came from the right as Docherty recycled a corner and his cross was met by a towering Angol leap, but the header flew straight at emergency loan Shrimpers keeper David Stockdale.

But the early tempo drifted away as Southend grabbed a foothold in the clash and a number of their quality attackers began to catch the eye. Simon Cox, Stephen McLaughlin and Harry Bunn in particular were busy around the box.

Luke Waterfall at the heart of the Town defence made several crucial interceptions both on the ground and in the air.

But the Shrimpers kept finding dangerous positions. Town survived a corner as Simon Cox headed down and Timothee Dieng was somehow unable to turn home from barely two yards out as Coleman clung on.

Then, five minutes before the break, the visitors should have drawn level. Southend had a number of bodies free on an overload in the box and in fell the way of sharp-shooter Cox but Coleman made a fine save through a number of bodies.

Tom Hopper headed a powerful effort just wide seconds later.

The Meadow became edgy as Town’s one-goal lead suddenly looked under threat but, with almost the final touch of the half, Askey’s men put clear daylight between the sides.

Whalley, who had a quiet first period, sent in a dangerous corner half-cleared by a Shrimpers defender only for Angol for instinctively lash into the bottom corner with his weaker left foot.

It was a fine finish to mark his third of the season and the birth of his daughter Romey Leigh.

Town left the park to rasping cheers and, despite periods of Southend pressure in an even first half, had a clear lead.

The hosts flew out the traps in the second period and could have easily added a third.

Whalley’s sharp left-footed goalbound strike was blocked after another superb Gilliead run and cross before Stockdale excellent himself with a point-black save from Angol’s diving header. Whalley’s cross was superb but the striker should have had a second.

It was possibly the only criticism on a day the striker gave a fine performance for his side. He was a danger in the air for Salop, often pulled up harshly by referee Chris Sarginson, but a real thorn in the Shrimpers’ backline.

Town were standing strong other than a couple of scares, as Mat Sadler hacked off his own line following a Coleman fumble, but looked comfortable in what seemed third gear.

Askey’s men looked capable of going up a couple of notches as Emmanuel and Gilliead both shot off target while Ollie Norburn was crowded out after silky moves.

The hosts were backed, again, by their immense anchoring midfielder Grant, who put out any fires in midfield and drove his team on time after time.

But Shrews were satisfied with two as Askey claimed his first win as Shrewsbury manager and one that will taste as sweet as they come.

Teams

Shrewsbury Town (4-3-3): Coleman; Emmanuel, Waterfall, Sadler ©️, Beckles; Grant, Docherty (Laurent, 90+5), Norburn; Whalley, Angol (John-Lewis, 88), Gilliead.

Subs not used: Arnold (gk), Gnahoua, Bolton, Amadi-Holloway, Barnett.

Southend United (4-4-2): Stockdale; Demetriou, White, Moore, Coker; McLaughlin (Robinson, 61), Dieng, Mantom ©️, Bunn; Cox (McCoulsky, 81), Hopper.

Subs not used: Bishop (gk), Bwomono, Turner, Klass, Hendrie.

Attendance: 5,651 (312 Southend fans)

Referee: Christopher Sarginson