Match report by James Garrison

It has taken Shrewsbury Town’s most expensively assembled squad just three games to tear apart what had developed into a 50-year club tradition.

Not since the promotion winning campaign of 1958-9 have Town earned maximum points from their opening three Football League matches.

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But all that changed with Saturday’s slender victory over Aldershot which ensured a reputation of sluggish starters has, for this season at least, been left behind.

Three games, three victories, three clean sheets and already leading the way in League Two all represents the dream start for Paul Simpson’s first full season in charge.

That will, of course, bring with it its own demands both within and beyond Shropshire.

Within the Shrewsbury camp, expectations amongst supporters will now have risen markedly from although lofty pre-season levels.

And, while they remain at the summit,Town will also have to cope with opposition teams raising their game to meet the challenge of going into combat with the League leaders.

But they are “problems” Simpson will be only to happy to encounter – and he will undoubtedly back his players to display the mental fortitude to overcome such obstacles.

They certainly produced the goods in terms of result on Saturday, grinding out another victory to keep themselves ahead of the chasing pack if again being short of their very best.

Credit to Aldershot who, just like in the last meeting of the teams for that winner-takes-all return ticket to the League at Stoke more than four years ago, played their part in an impressive spectacle.

With both sides willing to trade attacking punches, this fine advert for League Two football was played at a lightening pace – the only surprise coming in that it took 81 minutes for the deadlock to be broken.

The goal when it came was worth waiting for, Grant Holt directing an excellent header into the bottom corner after meeting a Ben Davies cross with the type of finish which continues to justify the bulky transfer fee which brought the frontman to Shropshire.

It was going to take that kind of precise placement to defeat the outstanding Nikki Bull, who produced fine saves to deny Davies and Marc Tierney from distance and Shane Cansdell-Sherriff with a bullet header.

Dave Hibbert, an early replacement for the injured Richard Walker, also went close when he fired a close range effort into the side netting while Holt headed a first half chance wide.

But this was also a day when Shrewsbury’s defence again displayed their desire to enhance an already impressive clean sheet record.

Only once have Town’s rearguard been breached this season – and that by a free-kick in the Carling Cup defeat to Carlisle.

On Saturday’s evidence, it is easy to see why Shrewsbury are proving a tough nut to crack.

In Luke Daniels, Town have a goalkeeper whose confidence appears to be rising with each 90 minutes he tucks under his belt.

Particularly impressive against last year’s runaway Blue Square Premier champions was his handling, cleanly picking off a string of testing crosses under pressure from awkward opponents.

And in front of him are a back four who, even without its most experienced component in Graham Coughlan, have yet to concede a goal from open play.

They survived a few scares on Saturday, most notably during a 25-minute spell before Town’s winner when Kirk Hudson went close on three occasions and ex-Town striker John Grant contrived to fire a fine opportunity wide.

But Town held firm and that resilient defence and the firepower they possess at the other end could prove a lethal combination.

It has already secured Shrewsbury their best start in 50 years – and now has supporters dreaming of what more could follow.

Match Facts: 

Shrewsbury: Daniels, Herd, Jackson, Langmead, Tierney, Moss (Hindmarch 79), Cansdell-Sherriff, Davies (Ashton 90), McIntyre, Walker (Hibbert 18), Holt. Subs: Garner, Pugh. Bookings: Cansdell-Sherriff (36) – For a trip on Morgan, Holt (90) – For time-wasting and kicking the ball away.

Aldershot: Bull, Starosta, Blackburn, Charles, Straker, Soares, Donelly, Harding, Hudson, Grant, Morgan (Hylton 86). Subs: Chalmers, Elvins, Newman, Jaimez-Ruiz. Bookings: Charles (58) – For a tackle from behind on Hibbert, Soares (90) – For a late challenge on Holt.

Referee: T Kettle

Attendance – 5,812 (355 from Aldershot)

Goal Log:

1-0 Holt (80) – Glanced a header into the bottom corner after getting on the end of a cross from Davies.