Striker glad to be back on the scoresheet in Hartlepool win
12 goal top-scorer James Collins has praised Andy Mangan after both were on the scoresheet in Saturday's 3-0 win over bottom club Hartlepool United.
The strikers combined well for the opening two goals which set Town on their way to a 1st win in 2015. It also took them back into the League 2 automatic promotion places.
"Andy is great in and around the box, there aren't many better in the lower leagues," said Collins. "His goal record speaks for itself and he had one disallowed against Hartlepool so he could have had a hat trick. He's a great lad off the pitch and great to play with.
"It was good link up play for my goal and I just wanted to hit the target. In recent weeks I haven't scored so I was just happy to get on the scoresheet. I think for any striker it does have an impact when you haven't scored for a while but you've just got to keep going and getting in those areas and sooner or later it will drop for you.
"I hope to get to 20 goals now. I got double figures by Christmas so hopefully I can kick on and step on towards that target."
Town were frustrated by Hartlepool in a goalless first half where the visitors tested the Town defence on a number of occasions. But once Mangan scored the first, Shrewsbury took control after the break.
"In the second half we played a lot better stuff," said Collins. "They pegged us back a bit in the first half but we were patient and deserved the 3 points. It was all about getting that 1st goal and once it came we kicked on from there. We're confident enough at home to go and get more."
After playing promotion rivals Wycombe, Burton and Luton in successive games over the Christmas and New Year period, Collins says it was vital for Shrewsbury to return to winning ways.
"The team have been doing well," he said. "We've had 3 tough games in recent weeks but we've come through those and we're back in the top 3. The fans were getting a bit anxious at half time that we hadn't scored but we're always confident in ourselves."
The result means Town remain unbeaten at the Greenhous Meadow - they're the only side in the Football League who are yet to lose at home this season.
"Teams don't like to come here, especially Hartlepool travelling a long way," he said. "We can't take anything for granted though. Stevenage are here next week and we need to keep it up."