Town striker in buoyant mood after scoring twice against Accrington on full debut
After one Shrewsbury Town start, and three goals already, striker Andy Mangan says he's loving his football again.The former Accrington Stanley frontman scored twice against his former side on Tuesday night to earn Town a 4-0 win, and help continue an impressive start to the season.
Mangan had a frustrating year at previous club Forest Green Rovers, but after becoming manager Micky Mellon's 16th summer signing at Shrewsbury, the 27-year-old is hoping to repay that faith by adding further goals.
"For me and my family, it's really important to be back playing. For Shrewsbury, it's massively important," he said.
"I love my football, people can hopefully tell that with the way I run about.
"I'm loving it being back home, the club is fantastic.
"I've worked hard over the summer to keep myself in shape and long may it continue. I'm looking to score a lot of goals for this club."
His opening strike after seven minutes set Town on their way to the points after a clearance by Stanley 'keeper Luke Simpson rebounded off Mangan and into the net.
"It was one of the best goals I've ever scored, I was over the moon!" he joked.
"Dean Saunders, my former manager at Wrexham, always said you chase lost causes and sometimes you get a bit of luck. I got that with the first goal.
"If he saw that, he'd be really happy. It settled us down, and they had to come out and we exploited the space. Their game plan goes out the window."
It set the tone for a dominant Shrewsbury display, with two late goals in the first half effectively sealing the points.
Simpson was sent off after bringing down Mangan in the area, and striker Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro converted the penalty - Town's first spot kick since April 2013.
Connor Goldson then scored his first of the season, volleying in from a Liam Lawrence corner. In the second half, Mangan headed in Akpa Akpro's cross to round off the scoring.
"We went in at half time and you might expect there to be a lot of 'well done's' but we felt we were a bit sloppy and we could have improved," said Mangan.
"I was one of the lads who was disappointed at the end as I wanted to get my hat-trick.
"If we can be a bit smarter and slicker around the box, and passing a bit quicker, I'm sure everyone will be happy.
"The squad is fantastic though, the quality is incredible. and it was a 4-0 win. We've had a really good start and need to kick on now as a squad, and keep finding ways to win."
Shrewsbury have hit eight goals this season in League 2 and are top-scorers across the Football League. Mellon elected to change his front two against Accrington with James Collins and Scott Vernon left on the bench. It meant Mangan and Akpa Akpro started for the first time as a partnership up front.
"I'm sure the gaffer will be swapping and changing the team all season," said Mangan.
"He said in the programme he's got a first team squad that's capable of playing, not just a first team. It's working out for us and we've all got to be right and ready to produce."