Gilliead’s off and running for Shrews
SHREWSBURY boss John Askey was a happy man after Alex Gilliead’s first goal for the club sealed victory over 10-man Accrington Stanley.
The visitors, beaten for the first time in League One since the opening day of the season, had goalkeeper Connor Ripley sent off in the 16th minute after colliding with home striker Lee Angol just outside the penalty area.
Shrewsbury eventually made their extra man count with a 62nd-minute breakthrough as winger Gilliead, a summer signing from Newcastle, headed home an inviting cross from the right by Shaun Whalley.
“We’ve been talking about the wide men getting in the box more when it’s on the opposite side of the pitch,” said Askey.
“Alex is a big lad and if he can get in the box more I’m sure he’ll get more headers.”
The victory was just a second of the season for Shrewsbury and lifted them up to 16th in the table.
“I’m happy with the three points,” added Askey. “It was hard work, but it’s three points which we badly needed.
“We should have scored more goals, but we’ll take the three points.”
Accrington had started brightly with the lively Jordan Clark, facing his former club, twice going close in the early stages, while Sam Finley’s low shot was well saved by Joel Coleman.
Ex-Shrew Jordan Clark then twice went close for Stanley, bending a 20-yard effort just wide before also narrowly missing the target from a similar range. But then came the red card for keeper Ripley.
Ollie Norburn went close for Shrewsbury at the start of the second half when his shot was stopped by sub keeper Jonny Maxted, before Gilliead won it. Stanley manager John Coleman said: “What it did, it levelled the playing field because for the first 15 minutes we were breathtaking.
“They had a lot of possession because they would do because they’d got the extra man, but they didn’t really trouble our keeper.
“I’m disappointed with the goal because we gave the ball away and the lad’s come in with a free header at the far post.
“What you can’t govern sometimes is circumstances.”