Shrewsbury Town 2-0 Cambridge United League Two match report: George Lloyd and William Boyle on target as Shrews record first home win since 1 February

Shrewsbury Town recorded their first home victory since 1 February thanks to this afternoon’s 2-0 win over Cambridge United.

The visiting U’s made the trip to Shropshire buoyed by a run of just one defeat from their last six outings in all competitions, as well as hunting back-to-back League Two triumphs for the first time this term.

But there were few – if any – positives for head coach Neil Harris to take from this one as his side produced an inept performance at Croud Meadow.

What transpired to be a lacklustre afternoon started brightly for the U’s with Shayne Lavery having two chances inside the opening three minutes. The Northern Ireland international shot just wide from Adam Mayor’s long throw before his curling effort from the edge of the box drifted over.

But that was the end of any significant threat from Cambridge, who were the makers of their own downfall when Shrewsbury broke the deadlock in the 12th minute. Korey Smith – making his first league start since early January – under-hit his pass to Michael Morrison and George Lloyd nipped in to break into the box and then guide the ball beyond the reach of Jake Eastwood.

It was the first time that Shrewsbury had scored the opening goal in a game all season – and they had a second to celebrate in the 36th minute. It started with United left-back Zak Bradshaw being robbed of possession deep inside his own half and while James Gibbons dealt with the initial danger by turning the ball behind for a corner, the subsequent delivery from Sam Clucas was headed home by captain William Boyle, who rose highest between Morrison and Kylian Kouassi.

United boss Harris had shuffled his pack by the hour mark, bringing on Sullay Kaikai, Glenn McConnell and Elias Kachunga. It meant a change in shape, but the impact was minimal as the attack-minded trio struggled to have an impact on proceedings.

Kaikai had Cambridge’s only attempt of note after the restart with a driven shot from just inside the box that was turned behind for a corner.

Shrewsbury, likewise, offered very little in an attacking sense but Michael Appleton’s men had already got the job done during the opening 45 minutes.

Shrewsbury Town: Brook, Hoole, Stubbs, Boyle, Sang (Aneke 87’), Clucas, Perry, McDermott, Kabia, Lloyd (Marquis 90’), Scully (England 72’)

Cambridge United: Eastwood, Gibbons (Bennett 71’), Morrison, Watts, Bradshaw (Kaikai 46’), Smith, Mpanzu, Mayor, Brophy (McConnell 60’), Kouassi (Kachunga 60’), Lavery

Attendance: 4,827 (370 Cambridge)

Referee: Matthew Russell