Match Report

Shrewsbury Town wasted no time in confirming their position as the bookies favourites to land the League Two title with a 4-0 opening day demolition of visiting Macclesfield Town .

Leading 1-0 at the break - although in complete control of the match - Shrewsbury banged in three more in the second half as the contest became a rout, with the visitors comprehensively put to the sword.

The home side had chances aplenty even before Shane Cansdell-Sherriff fired them spectacularly ahead on 31 minutes.

A penalty just after the break from record signing Grant Holt putting the contest beyond any doubt.

Centre-back Graham Coughlin was able to come forward and join the fun to score with a close range header, with the scoring completed late on by substitute Dave Hibbert.

Skipper Ben Davies flashed two fine efforts just over Macclesfield crossbar and saw a third headed off the line as Shrewsbury dominated the opening half hour - during which Holt also had a header superbly saved by John Brain.

But on 31 minutes, Shrewsbury were to be denied no longer and the excellent Cansdell-Sherriff - a summer acquisition from Tranmere Rovers - broke from midfield to smash home a stunning shot from 30 yards.

Six minutes into the second half, Shrewsbury went further ahead when Davies was sent crashing in the box by Macclesfield defender Paul Morgan.

Forward stepped Holt - for whom Shrewsbury paid a club record fee of £175,000 to Nottingham Forest last month - and he made absolutely no mistake from the penalty spot.

In the 79th minute, Coughlin was on hand to head home a Kevin McIntyre corner and five minutes from time Hibbert netted from five yards when the visitors failed to clear a corner from Davies as, for the second season running, Shrewsbury opened the campaign with a 4-0 victory.

The outlook for Paul Simpson's men is bright, but an arduous nine months look in prospect for Macclesfield.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides