What a GREAT game of football !! This match had pretty much EVERYTHING; full-blooded commitment, a contrast of playing styles, great goals, a (ultimately unsuccessful) terrific fight-back plus an outstanding individual goal-scoring performance by the Epsom striker - OJ - who notched all 5!!
Yes the 100% league record has gone – but it was lost with a BANG; rather than a whimper.
For the more seasoned observers of the boys, it came as no surprise that the Shots began the game in their habitual sluggish mood – but this time it was to result in them going 3(!!) goals down; as opposed to the more usual “gift” of just the 1.
Firstly, an uncharesteristic individual error presented Epsom with their first; then the ball got “over-passed” in midfield which resulted in a clean run through on goal for the second and finally a long ball was not properly cleared and was thunderously dispatched from the edge of the box……..all brilliantly taken; but ALL preventable from an Aldershot perspective.
Then – and only then – did the Reds appear to re-group and rise from their slumber. Chances came and went before, right on half-time, Ben House rose superbly at the near post to head in Toby Elstow’s left-wing corner. Hope!!
H/T 1-3.
As for the second-half ?.......well it was pretty much one-way traffic with Aldershot camped in the Epsom half for the rest of the game; but always looking susceptible to being hit on the counter-attack.
With Epsom sitting deeper and deeper as the half wore on (they were never going to be undone by a ball in behind – there just wasn’t the room ) it needed something special to get us back in the game. It happened. Twice!!
Firstly Callum Scott, receiving the ball on the edge of the area, rode a couple of challenges before unleashing a 25-yarder which went in, low, off the left-hand post before George Patten did exactly the same thing (but this time, high, off the right hand-post).
The boys had somehow managed to claw it back to 3-3 and the jubilant home supporters readied themselves for a grandstand finish….and they duly got one……er…...unfortunately from Epsom!!
Slack-marking from a throw on allowed OJ another clean run through on goal - this time effortlessly rounding ‘keeper Nathan Woolley before side-footing home with his left - for his (and Epsom’s) 4th before he chased down yet another long ball from the back and blasted it home to make it 5-3.
To their immense credit, the Shots never gave up and were partially rewarded for their efforts when Ben headed home from George’s corner with the last play of the game.
F/T 4-5.
A fabulously entertaining game of football and all the boys should be commended for putting in such a fantastic effort. Credit to Epsom too - particularly the “big man” up front. Lads…….we really need to work on how we begin our games, don’t you think?!!