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Patterson said: "Matt was always highly thought-of, but for one reason or another we didn't think he was quite ready to step up two years ago.
"He went away and was playing for Woodstock locally, and playing men's football has done him the world of good.
"Matt has filled out, learned about the physical side of the game, and shown fantastic desire to get his chance.
"He has maintained high standards and scored plenty of goals, and as with all young players, we keep tabs on their progress.
"It's never too late because we keep an eye on them all and see how they're doing, and in Matt's case it has paid off."
Patterson hopes to have Billy Turley back in goal after his shoulder injury, and one-match suspension, Turley was testing it out in training yesterday. If he suffers any reaction, Sam Warrell will continue in goal.
Danny Rose returns to the team.
Aldershot are in red-hot form with 11 straight home wins behind them, but Patterson believes they are not the best defensively, and United will get opportunities to break their barren run of five matches without a goal.
"It's a tough game yes, but they're conceding a lot of goals at the moment as well as scoring them.
"The lads have been understandably a bit low, they've taken criticism from all angles - quite right as well - and they've responded in the right way.
"We've got the jump leads to make sure everybody's learned from Tonbridge, and we just move on.
Hopefully, last Saturday and Tuesday will be one of the harshest lessons they've ever learned, but hopefully they will stand us in good stead."
The U's were assessing Joel Ledgister's fitness after a hip injury. Alex Jeannin also missed training on Thursday and Ben Weedon stands by to deputise.
Shots boss Gary Waddock, a good friend of Patterson's, wants Aldershot to continue their long unbeaten home run before a critical Christmas and New Year period in which they play local rivals Woking twice, sandwiched either side of a trip to Grays.
Right back Rob Gier is suspended and there is a doubt over keeper Nicky Bull, who missed the 5-0 FA Trophy win at Hayes & Yeading because of an Achilles injury.
Venezuelan keeper Mikael Jaimez-Ruiz could continue in goal.
Reporter: Jon Murray
Source: http://www.oxfordmail.net/sport/