Justin Skinner’s brace inspired a second-half onslaught that saw Fulham breathe new life into their bid to avoid relegation from the Third Division with a thumping 4-0 win over Shrewsbury Town at Craven Cottage this evening.
The visitors missed several good chances to take the lead in a first half which they dominated. Dean Spink missed two sitters after being preferred to Gary Shaw up front whilst the recalled Kevin Summerfield also spurned a great chance from Spink’s header on midway through the first half.
Having been fortunate to be level at the break, Alan Dicks’ side made their visitors pay for their prolificacy in a sparkling second half display. The superb Skinner scored a sublime first goal five minutes after half time, volleying majestically over Ken Hughes from the edge of the area, having switched the play to John Marshall and then continued his run to latch onto a lovely flick from the impressive Phil Stant.
Skinner doubled Fulham’s advantage from the penalty spot fifteen minutes later after Mickey Heathcote had mistimed a jump and handled in the box rather than heading away a cross. Hughes then did brilliantly to deny Kelly Haag and Martin Pike as the away side struggled to contain their rampant hosts, before getting fingertips to a goalbound drive from Glen Thomas for good measure.
Substitute Graham Baker, who was let go by Shrewsbury after a summer trial, volleyed in a fine third goal with two minutes left on the clock and, in the second minute of injury time, John Marshall embarked on a slalom run through the remnants of a tiring visiting defence to find the bottom corner with a brilliant left-footed finish
FULHAM: Stannard; North, G. Thomas, Pike, Marshall, Morgan, Newson, Scott (Baker 80), Skinner, Haag, Stant. Subs (not used): Milton.
BOOKED: Stant, Newson, North.
GOALS: Skinner (50, pen 65), Baker (88), Marshall (90+2).
SHREWSBURY TOWN: Hughes; Blake, Heathcote, Brown, O’Toole (Burton 66), Summerfield, T. Kelly, Gorman, Taylor, Spink, Lyne. Subs (not used): Wimbleton.
BOOKED: Lyne.
REFEREE: Brian Stevens (Gloucestershire).
ATTENDANCE: 3,415.
