Analysis: Season proper must start here as winless cloud lifted from Shrewsbury

The monkey was lifted from the back of Askey’s Town side with a comfortable and deserved 2-0 victory over Southend.

Finally a result to enjoy. Finally, for Shrewsbury, the spoils they deserved.

It took 10 games to get there and relief swept around Montgomery Waters Meadow, from the dugout, to the pitch, to the stands, as the final whistle confirmed the three points.

Salop moved from 22nd to 17th in the early League One standings and while the table is insignificant at this stage, it is a reminder that in such a compact division, wins can make a huge difference.

Askey joked afterwards that he would finally allow himself some Saturday night sleep after overseeing a first Town win. The glass of wine he promised himself will certainly have tasted sweeter.

For a while he has suggested that positive performances have softened the blow of not securing that first win, but Askey would have undoubtedly been hurting.

His team finally delivered on their promise as two first-half goals – one apiece for Greg Docherty and Lee Angol – did the business against a lethargic and blunted Shrimpers.

Rather ironically, Shrewsbury have played better this season and not won.

Take the previous weekend at Portsmouth, who went top of League One on Saturday by beating unbeaten Peterborough, where Town out-performed their Fratton Park hosts.

But this time Salop showed a cutting edge and killer touch that has so far been missing this season.

The timing of the two goals, four minutes in and in first-half added time, made things more smooth-sailing for Askey’s men. A 2-0 scoreline did not fairly reflect a first period that was pretty even.

Askey has often bemoaned his side’s sluggish starts to home games this term but this was anything but. Shrewsbury quickly found their rhythm and down the left were proving a huge threat.

Poor Southend right-back Jason Demetriou was all over the shop as Alex Gilliead and Omar Beckles had a field day down Salop’s left. It was there that the opener came as Gilliead’s super run and cross was delightfully hammered into the roof of the net by Docherty.

Two in two for the on-loan Rangers man who has challenged himself to bring goals to the table this term.

Town’s fast start stalled after 20 minutes and Southend began to show the obvious attacking quality that has them fancied by several punters.

Chris Powell worked miracles last term in steering them up the table but the start to his first full season has not been ideal. But the Shrimpers grew here and had big chances of their own.

Town would have been happy to hear the half-time whistle one goal to the good but ended up ecstatic.

A Shaun Whalley corner was half-cleared but emphatically swept home by Angol rather against the run of play.

It was the perfect booster for Salop going into the break. A two-goal cushion helped them to relax rather than feeling a dreaded sense of deja vu when Southend attacked.

But that familiar sense of inevitability was missing as Southend scarcely threatened in a second half where Town were comfortable.

It felt as if Askey’s men had another couple of gears to find in the second period should they have needed to.

They broke into Southend’s half and looked dangerous at will. If you were being picky they could have netted more, on some days they will need to, but two was more than enough.

Town’s backline is beginning to look solid and accomplished. The back four of Josh Emmanuel, Luke Waterfall, Mat Sadler, and Omar Beckles is one that will keep clean sheets.

Emmanuel, making his home debut, defended superbly for a full-back who is labelled as ‘attack-minded’.

Waterfall, meanwhile, after a shaky start where he lost his bearings at a high ball, recovered supremely and was perfectly positioned on half-a-dozen occasions to clear Town’s lines.

Further forward there were several excellent displays. Anthony Grant, against his former side, and Docherty were terrific.

Grant breaks up play and wins tackles. He marshals the midfield superbly and has enjoyed an excellent start to the Town career. He will quickly become a crowd favourite if he continues in this manner.

Docherty, starting for the first time in three weeks, was like the Duracell Bunny. His energy was boundless. He is an infectious midfield warrior with guile to match. A player that gets the crowd going.

Askey, a relieved manager who has finally been able to reward Town fans for a welcome show of patience, has said he felt his side improving over recent weeks.

The Meadow has missed the all-important win, but Shrewsbury have gradually been improving as a unit.

A massive 16 new faces was always going to mean gelling would take a while.

But you can see a team emerging at the Meadow. More than that, Askey has a squad at his disposal with options aplenty.

With the monkey off their back Town must now ensure that their season kick-starts from here. The win will mean little if it’s a one-off.

But a run of just one defeat in seven has built confidence and Shrewsbury know they are a match for every side they have faced so far.

Building a run of results in what is, on paper, not a bad fixture list, could transform their season.

Town must walk before they can run. Askey will ensure that. But the season proper can begin here.