Swansea 2 Shrewsbury 0

Last updated : 30 November 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Strikes from Matt Murphy and Mark Richards ensured that Swansea climbed from bottom spot with a convincing 2-0 win over Shrewsbury.

And manager Brian Flynn was equally pleased with the performance as well as the result describing it as: "one of the best since I arrived." Few of the 3638 crowd would argue with his verdict as Swansea dominated proceedings from start to finish.

And it was a point made all the more significant as the Shrews came to the Vetch on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run.

But it was the home side who looked more confident with James Thomas, Jason Smith, Murphy and the on-loan Richards all going close.

Richards and Alan Tate particularly looked impressive in their home debuts and Tate's ability on the ball was a refreshing chance along with Andrew Mumford's return to form.

And after already troubling visiting keeper Ian Dunbavin with a 35-yard free kick, it was Mumford who created Murphy's opener.

The Welsh under-21 midfielder showed good close control and powerful running to make inroads into the Shrewsbury half until he was fouled outside the box.

But he got up to provide a perfect cross with which Murphy connected superbly.

The 47th minute goal was Murphy's third in four games and was the perfect way to end a dominated first half.

But much to Shrews' manager Kevin Ratcliffe's dismay, it was more of the same in the second half.

He said: "We just did not get going. It must have been Roger Freestone's easiest ever day and they could have scored even more." And indeed they could with chance after chance going begging but the points were finally wrapped up when Richards latched on to a Damien Lacey cross.

The youngster fired past Dunbavin to send the Swans flying up the third division table once again