Aldershot Town vs Oxford United

Last updated : 30 August 2010 By Mike Wray

The Shots continue a busy week at the EBB Stadium this Tuesday evening when they face Chris Wilder's Oxford United for a chance to make the Second Round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy - and more importantly, the opportunity to take a step closer to a Wembley appearance next April.

With The Shots having failed to ever progress beyond their opening game of the competition, Dillon's side will be searching for the kind of performance that could kick-start a winning run ahead of Saturday's League Two encounter against Northampton Town, however the U's will also be looking to rekindle the sparking performances they discovered in the Carling Cup earlier in the month and with the match having to be decided 'on the night' with no extra time being played, there could be a feat of attacking football in store.

Speaking about the tie following Saturday's 1-1 draw against Stevenage, manager Kevin Dillon told The Shots Online: "We've got eighteen players so we'll see what knocks and bruises we've got from the weekend [against Stevenage].

"John Halls needs to play, Danny Hylton needs to play and Spencie [Damian Spencer] needs a game, most of the bench need a game so I will be looking to change the side from Saturday."

Shots team news

With Dillon looking to make changes to his side, there could be a place in the starting XI for Ross Ketteridge which would give more time for Jamie Young to recover from a minor back strain he suffered following the weekend's draw against Stevenage while exciting winger Jermain McGlashan [pictured left] could also be given more time to impress along with striker Wade Small.

Speaking to The Shots Online ahead of the match, defender Ben Herd said: "I'd imagine the Gaffer [Kevin Dillon] will want to make changes as you would probably expect for the match and with a potential prize of playing at Wembley it would be good to do well.

"Playing against another League Two team also adds a little bit of incentive ' we don't want to give them any sort of physiological advantage ahead of playing them in the league because if they come here on Tuesday and win, they may think they can do it again in the league so it will be good to get a result.

"It's quite a good game to have with them being fairly local too, so it should be a good fixture and if we can get a good crowd in and play a nice and zippy game on the grass, who knows where it could lead too?"

The Shots remain without Jack Randall who continues to be sidelined with his fractured ankle, while Aaron Morris will also be missing having joined up with his Welsh Under 21 International team mates, ahead of their fixture in Hungary this coming Saturday.

Shots from: Jamie Young, Ross Kitteridge, Ben Herd, Anthony Straker, Glen Little, Anthony Charles, Darren Jones, Jamie Vincent, Ben Harding, Luke Guttridge, John Halls, Danny Hylton, Marvin Morgan, Manny Panther, Jermaine McGlashan, Wade Small, Damian Spencer and Clayton Fortune.

The opposition

With the U's being held to a goalless draw by Accrington Stanley at the weekend, their return to the Football League has got off to a slower than expected start and having suffered defeat at home against Bury in League Two, there has only been brief respite in the form of a 6-1 thrashing of Bristol Rovers in the Carling Cup First Round for supporters to get excited about at this early stage of the season.

That victory earned a Second Round tie against West Ham United and although that match ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat, it demonstrated that there is ability in the U's side - it's just a matter of harnessing it.

Speaking ahead of the draw against Accrington at the weekend, U's striker Matt Green told the media: "There's nothing to worry about. We're getting opportunities.

"All three of us, Jack [Midson], Beano [James Constable] and me are all proven goal-scorers throughout our careers.

"I've been through this many times before, as long as you keep believing in yourself and working hard, it will come. You have to be patient."

Although they already have a large squad, Wilder has confirmed that he has made enquiries about a couple of players and may well have added to his squad ahead of the tie and is waiting to see if there are any developments ahead of the Tuesday transfer deadline.

Defender Damian Batt will certainly be absent having sustained serious ligament damage to his left ankle against Wycombe Wanderers two weeks ago, while former Shots defender Rhys Day will also be missing as he continues to regain fitness after injury.

U's from: Ryan Clarke, Simon Eastwood, Nathan Silver, Damian Batt, Anthony Tonkin, Dannie Bulman, Mark Creighton, Jake Wright, Simon Heslop, James Constable, Jack Midson, Simon Clist, Asa Hall, Alfie Potter, Mitchell Cole, Stevie Kinniburgh, Richie Baker, Sam Deering, Harry Worley, Ben Purkiss, Matthew Green, Aaron Woodley and Leigh Franks.

  • You can visit the official Oxford United website here.

Taking charge

S Hooper will be taking charge of the match and he will be assisted by C Berry and D Rock. M Scholes is the fourth official.

Weather forecast

The BBC Weather forecast for the match is given as clear skies with highs dropping down to 9°C.

Ticket news

Tickets prices for this match have been reduced and have been set at:
Adult seats: £15, terrace: £10.
Concession (Over 60s, Military and students (both on production of ID cards only) seats: £12, terrace: £7.
Under 16s seats: £4, terrace £4.

The match is not all ticket and supporters can pay on the turnstiles on the day.

There are also 39 Premium Seating tickets available for the match at a cost of just £39 + VAT each. Please click here to find out more.

Hospitality Tickets are also available for the match at a cost of £25 + VAT each. To find out more, call Nicky Banger on 07717 828 803, email him at nicky@theshots.co.uk or read more here.

Other news

  • Coach travel to Port Vale
    Supporters wishing to travel to the club's League Two fixture against Port Vale on Saturday 11th September 2010, are reminded that they can book their place on the Aldershot Town Supporters Trust coach on Tuesday evening. Places cost just £15 each and you can secure your place at the Trust's office which is located at the High Street end of the North Bank or online by clicking here.

 

  • BBC Radio Surrey
    Supporters unable to make the match will be able to listen to live match commentary via BBC Radio Surrey on 104.6FM where Gavin Denison and Shotsweb's Steve Gibbs will be kicking off coverage at 7pm. On BBC Radio Surrey's Mid-Week Sports Special.

Supporters are reminded that there is NO internet coverage of the match.

  • The evenings other JPT Southern Section (West) fixtures
    Yeovil Town vs Exeter City
    Southampton vs Swindon Town
    AFC Bournemouth vs Torquay United