Shrewsbury 3 Farnborough 0

Last updated : 27 August 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Shrewsbury Town cruised to a third straight Nationwide Conference victory to continue their impressive start to the season - brushing past visiting Farnborough Town by a 3-0 margin.

Tommy Taylor's part-timers were no match for Shrewsbury who took a 23rd minute lead through Colin Cramb, before doubling their advantage seven minutes after the break when Steve Jagielka stroked home his first goal of the season.

Substitute Ryan Lowe put the issue beyond any doubt with a 20-yard free-kick that took a deflection off the Farnborough wall right at the death - but in truth, the home side were rarely troubled and will feel they should have won by an even greater margin.

After starting their Conference campaign with a home draw against Margate a fortnight ago, Shrewsbury have since registered successive away wins, both by the only goal, so they were anxious to record a first win in front of their own fans.

Following a bright start, they finally broke the deadlock on 23 minutes when Farnborough keeper Mark Osborn misjudged a long centre from Jagielka - that left Cramb with the simple task of heading into an empty net.

Despite a number of close shaves during the remainder of the first half, Shrewsbury were unable to increase their lead until the 53rd minute - when a flowing move involving Sam Aiston and Luke Rodgers resulted in an unmarked Jagielka sweeping the ball home from eight yards.

Leroy Griffiths missed the visitors' best opportunity to reduce the deficit when he headed wide from close range shortly afterwards and although Osborn saved well from Jagielka in the closing stages, the Farnborough keeper was left helpless when Lowe's free-kick took a wicked deflection to complete the scoring.

With three consecutive wins - without conceding a goal - Shrewsbury will travel to near-neighbours Chester on Tuesday evening in good heart, for an early season showdown of the Conference big-guns.