FROM WHALLEY TO WINNER AS SHREWS KEEP ON ROLLING
SECOND-HALF goals from Shaun Whalley, who earlier missed a penalty, and substitute Stefan Payne sunk Portsmouth to consolidate Shrewsbury’s place in the League One promotion spots and ensure manager Paul Hurst enjoys Christmas.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the home side but the Shrews did enough to take the wind out of Pompey’s sails with an attacking and workmanlike display that was deserving of the points.
“It was a very good win against a team that had been in great form,” said Shrews boss Hurst.
“We showed a lot of character to bounce straight back after missing a penalty, overall I felt we deserved to win for our positive approach.
“When at home, we plan to make the away team defend as much as possible and keep them on the back foot. We do that by driving our wide men forward. We managed to do that to good effect.
“Next up is Wigan. That’s a massive game for us. Irrespective of the outcome, this club will begin 2018 in a terrific position in the league and with the playing side in a healthy state. This being the case, I can sit down and enjoy my Christmas dinner.”
Shrewsbury started in a positive mood, taking the game to Pompey.
On 11 minutes Whalley, a bundle of fiery endeavour on the Shrewsbury right, beat Brandon Haunstrup and whipped over a teasing cross. Alex Rodman found time and space at the far post but not the ball.
Few opponents relish an afternoon in the company of home centre-back pairing Aristote Nsiala and Mat Sadler.
Brett Pitman, Pompey’s loan man up-front, ceaselessly battled to create an opening.
The home side continued to prod and probe but it was Pompey who came closest to breaking the deadlock, Matt Kennedy’s shot from the right curling inches wide of Dean Henderson’s far post.
The second half exploded into life on 53 minutes. A through ball of
Swiss-watch precision sent Carlton Morris clear.
The Norwich loanee bore down on goal but was sent tumbling by Luke McGee. Referee Darren Handley pointed to the spot.
The resulting penalty was entrusted to Whalley but his tame effort was comfortably saved low and down to his right by McGee.
Within 60 seconds, the Pompey keeper turned from hero to villain.
No sooner was play underway again when the impressive livewire, Jon Nolan, tried his luck from 20 yards. McGee saved well down to his left but spilled the ball, Whalley was first to react, sweeping the loose ball home to atone for his earlier penalty profligacy.
The home goal immediately prompted a double substitution by the visitors as Pompey boss Kenny Jackett went in search of an equaliser. It wasn’t to be forthcoming. On 80 minutes, Payne pickpocketed Matt Clarke and broke clear. McGee came off his line quickly, got a hand to the home substitutes’s low effort but it was not enough to prevent the ball spinning into the net for the former Barnsley’s striker’s tenth goal of the season.
It was no more than Shrewsbury deserved for their attacking verve and positive play in a highly entertaining game.
“Shrewsbury were better than us on the day. They deserved to win,” said a magnanimous Jackett.
“We had little momentum going forward and didn’t do enough when in possession.
“Shrewsbury closed us down quickly and stretched us. We found were doing a lot of defending and when we did have the ball, they pressured us into mistakes.
“It’s something we will be working on in training.”