Shrews cruise as Colclough bags hat-trick

But it took a rampant second half for the hosts to finally broke through a resilient Stone backline. The visiting goalkeeper played a big part in frustrating Shrewsbury, keeping the score 0-0 at the break.

Shrewsbury reset their focus after the break in the Midlands Division 2 and within five minutes Colclough had given them the lead.

A free hit at the top of the D was taken quickly, catching out the Stone defence, and Colclough finished clinically.

The opening goal helped take the shackles off Shrewsbury, who had gone down 6-5 to rivals Telford the previous weekend.

They improved in possession and began creating opportunities on goal at will.

Colclough was the chief benefactor as she added two further goals to her tally, before Georgie Hessey’s finish from a penalty corner made it four.

Shrewsbury climbed to sixth in the standings with their second win from five league games this season.

They hope it provides a boost ahead of Saturday’s trip to league leaders Olton & West Warwicks Ladies seconds.

Telford & Wrekin saw their three-game winning run come to an end as they were beaten for the first time this season at Olton & West Warwicks.

They remain third in the standings despite the narrow reverse at the home of the table-toppers, who still boast a 100 per cent record.

Telford were second best in the early stages and deservedly fell behind but were able to haul themselves level through a deflected Chez Lane effort.

But that did nothing to turn the tide and the hosts continued to dominate and worked themselves into a strong 3-1 half-time lead.

Manager and skipper Shirley Hasenauer adjusted her side’s tactics at the break and it worked a treat as the visitors produced an improved second-half display.

Jodie Lane reduced the arrears in fine style when she converted a penalty flick but Telford could not find an equaliser.

Julia Hasenauer, in the Telford goal, enjoyed a fine second half and kept her side in with a chance.

But Telford went down to their first reverse of the season.

Manager Hasenauer said: “It is a real cliché, but it was a game of two halves!

“We were more organised in defence than last week and created more chances in the second half, after we changed our formation.”

Telford welcome seventh-placed Towcester to St Georges on Saturday (11am), the visitors have won just once this term. Telford are now five points off top spot.

Midlands Feeder West outfit Bridgnorth fell to their third defeat in five games this season as they were humbled 10-0 at home to University of Birmingham.

Bridgnorth, in seventh, aim to bounce back at eighth-placed Stratford on Saturday (11am).