Shrewsbury Town 3 Barnsley 1 - Report and pictures

John Askey went some way to answering his Shrewsbury Town critics by turning the tables on Barnsley with a fine 3-1 win, writes Lewis Cox at Montgomery Waters Meadow.

Captain for the night Luke Waterfall, with the armband after Askey had dropped skipper Mat Sadler, netted Town’s third to calm any nerves after a rampant first half blew the Tykes away.

Greg Docherty’s strike after 90 seconds got the hosts firing before Ollie Norburn doubled the lead for the hosts, who were dominating a shell-shocked Tykes.

Town could have had more but Barnsley’s Ethan Pinnock’s early second half goal reduced the arrears and had Salop worried before Waterfall’s bullet header sealed the points.

Barnsley, who had boss Daniel Stendel shown a red card for late skirmish, lost back-to-back games for the first time this season while under pressure Askey halted a run of two defeats in style.

Askey made one of the boldest selection decision of his tenure yet by dropping skipper Mat Sadler to the bench.

Luke Waterfall took over the armband for the switch to a back three in a 3-5-2 system. He was partnered by Omar Beckles and James Bolton, the latter starting in the league for the first time in two months.

Sadler had previously been out of Askey’s Town teams for earlier games at Charlton and the League Cup exit against Burton.

Bolton’s addition was one of four changes in a new-look home team.

Striker Fejiri Okenabirhie started for just the second time in League One, his home league debut. Left-sided defender Ryan Haynes, like Bolton, also started for the first time since the 3-2 defeat at Luton.

Midfield man Norburn was included over Josh Laurent for a game which, on paper, looked an extremely stern test for Askey’s men.

The Salop boss called Stendel’s visitors the best footballing side in the division.

The pre-match build up was dominated by news of Sadler’s omission. The longest-serving player, having played almost 200 Salop games, is a crowd favourite and the decision left a number of supporters scratching their heads.

After a packed Meadow watched Town go down to Sunderland four days earlier, the ground felt a little quiet ahead of kick-off, despite Barnsley’s impressive midweek following.

The mood inside the Meadow lifted and turned within an instant of referee Scott Oldham’s first whistle - well, 90 seconds exactly.

Askey hailed his visitors’ ability on Monday, but it was Shrews turning on the style as Norburn’s delightful pass released Josh Emmanuel to the byline and the full-back’s cross was spilled by Adam Davies into the path of Docherty.

The Scot has ice running through his veins and, 10 yards from goal on his weaker left foot, hammered in a fierce left-footed half-volley.

It was the on-loan Rangers midfielder’s fourth goal in Shrewsbury colours.

Against the odds Town were rampant. The Tykes were shell-shocked. They didn’t know what had hit them and that trend continued. Renowned for playing it out from the back, Town’s pressing was incessant.

One worry was Anthony Grant’s needless and fair booking for a dangerous tackle 15 minutes in.

Salop dominated the midfield and turned the ball over time after time with extra dimensions in attack thanks to two strikers and wing-backs. Forward Lee Angol found the side netting midway through the half but seconds later Town were cheering again.

Again Docherty won it, he fed Norburn who cleverly used Emmanuel’s right-sided run as a dummy before firing goalwards from 20 yards. It took a heavy flick off Alex Mowatt to deceive Davies and fly in - but it was Norburn’s goal.

The Meadow was pinching itself.

It could’ve been better for Salop. Countless shots were blocked as Town enjoyed all the possession in dangerous areas. Angol was denied a reasonable claim for a penalty as the lively Okenabirhie buzzed everywhere.

The summer signing from Dagenham & Redbridge was denied when through on goal by a superb Davies tip over.

Angol passed up a golden chance on the stroke of half-time when he ignored Okenabirhie in a two-on-two and saw his shot blocked.

Town didn’t get the start to the second half they would have planned. Joel Coleman had already pulled out a flying save, his first of the night, to deny Alex Mowatt’s rocket before a hung, deep cross from Ben Williams was scrambled in at the back post by big stopper Pinnock.

Town regained some control in the second half and shipped no more openings until the hour mark but it appeared a half-time turning off from German chief Stendel had worked.

Just after 60 minutes and the visitors were within a whisker of levelling. Haynes’ positioning was spot on to clear off the line from sub George Moncur.

Salop were creaking for a tense few minutes but skipper for the night Waterfall - who else - made it three with his first for the club. Docherty’s delightful corner was met at the back post and headed across goal and in off the post.

There was time for promising academy graduate Ryan Barnett to be sent on for a league debut.

Askey’s men were back in their stride and caused little trouble late on. A late scuffle between both dugouts saw Stendel dismissed but Askey’s third league win as Town boss was comfortably his best yet.