Shrewsbury included, new signing Connor Randall into their squad – the Liverpool youngster joins on a month’s loan. Midfielder David McAllister, has had his contract terminated – with Ashley Vincent taking his place on the bench. Jermaine Grandison, replaced the suspended Nathanial Knight-Percival in the heart of defence. And Andy Mangan made his first start, since the away win at York back in October – that decision would later prove to be an excellent one.

It was a freezing cold afternoon at the Greenhous Meadow, with the supporters needing to wrap up warm, but the game started at a frenetic pace – ensuring that the 4,500 home fans made the right decision to attend. Liam Lawrence created some space for himself, by shifting the ball onto his left foot – before firing an effort towards goal, which deflected of a Pool defender – narrowly missing the target. Moments later, an in-swinging corner from Lawrence, evaded everyone in the box, except for commanding centre-back Mark Ellis, but he was unable to keep his header down.

James Collins had a marvellous chance to open the scoring, on 7 minutes. Lawrence was in the thick of the action once more, sending an enticing cross into the eighteen yard box – Collins was unmarked, but the Irishman skewed his attempt wide. On the 15th minute Mickey Mellon was dealt a huge blow – James Wesolowski was forced to come off via a stretcher, meaning the Australian is likely to miss some more league action.

The ball nestled into the back of the net a minute later, yet the flag muted any Town celebrations. Ryan Woods, whipped a free-kick into the path of Mangan, the Liverpudlian controlled the ball superbly, before finding the back of the net via a half volley. The linesman correctly judged that Mangan was just offside.

For regular watchers of Soccer Saturday – you will now that the host of the programme is an avid Hartlepool fan. Jeff Stelling, was close to jumping for joy in the Sky Sports studio, but Jonathan Franks could not convert his gilt edged chance. The former Middlesbrough forward, fired wide of Leutwiler’s goal from close range.

Hartlepool were beginning to control the game. Ten minutes before half-time, Michael Duckworth, attempted an audacious shot from thirty-yards, it needed an excellent save from Leutwiler, to deny the twenty-two year old. Dan Jones wriggled free from his marker to power a heady towards goal, Leutwiler was on hand again to parry wide.

Andy Mangan, was inches away from registering the game’s first goal. He should have scored, when he found himself in acres of space, with the whole goal to aim at, but he got all his angles wrong. The former Fleetwood player, would soon make amends though.

The biggest cheer of the first half, came minutes before the interval. The vanishing spray made its debut at the Greenhous, and was greeted with ironic applause from the home fans.

Five minutes into the second half, Town nudged ahead. A hopeful pass from the back, found Andy Mangan. He skimmed the right-back, before sprinting into the six yard box. Unchallenged, he had plenty of time to slot the ball past Flinders in the Hartlepool goal. Shrewsbury doubled their advantage nine minutes later. Cameron Gayle, swung a deep cross into the area from the right, Collins played a one two with Mangan. The former found the back of the net from close range, to score his tenth of the season.

Scott Flinders made a terrific save, to stop Town scoring a third on the 67th minute. A Bobby Grant corner from the left, found the unmarked Connor Goldson. Flinders pulled off a magnificent save to his right, to prevent the header finding the goal. The away goalkeeper could do nothing to keep Mangan’s second and Town’s third though. A brilliant cross from Grant, was flicked on by Mangan, Flinders was rooted to the spot – as the ball flew past him into the net.

Goldson, missed two golden (pardon the pun) chances minutes later. A shot from distance was well saved by Flinders, and a header from close range went wide.

Akpa-Akpro should have found the fourth, three minutes before the end. He blasted wide, when one on one with the keeper.

This was arguably, one of Town’s best home performances of the season. The win lifts them a place up into third. Town are at home again next Saturday, as they host Stevenage.

Attendance: 4,601 (142 away fans)

Line Ups:

Shrewsbury Town: (3-5-2)
1. Leutwiler, 2. Grandison, 5. Ellis, 6. Goldson, 12. Gayle, 11. Lawrence, 4. Woods, 14. Wesolowski (15), 3. Demetriou, 19. Mangan (75), 9. Collins (74)

Subs:
7. Vincent, 10. Vernon (74), 21. Halstead, 22. Clark, 24. Grant (15), 26. Akpa-Akpro (75), 27. Randall

Subs Not Used:
7. Vincent, 21. Halstead, 22. Clark, 27. Randall

Hartlepool United: (4-4-2)
1. Flinders, 21. Duckworth, 20. Jones, 26. Harrison, 2. Austin, 7. Franks, 14. Woods, 31. Tshibola, 11. Compton (73), 29. Bingham, 9. Harewood (69),

Subs:
4. Bates, 8. Walker, 13. Maxted, 16. Featherstone, 17. Fenwick (69), 18. Hawkins (73), 23. Smith

Subs Not Used:
4. Bates, 8. Walker, 13. Maxted, 16. Featherstone, 23. Smith

Article by: Ryan Hillback