Oxford United vs Aldershot Town

Last updated : 07 October 2010 By Mike Wray

The Shots return to League Two action on Saturday with a relatively short trip into Oxfordshire to face Chris Wilder's side, looking for a repeat of the 2-0 victory they recorded against their hosts a little over seven weeks ago.

With the U's hoping for a massive crowd with their first Ultimate Support Saturday of the season, the atmosphere is certain to capture the imagination of both sets of supporters and Dillon told the BBC: "For this particular weekend it will probably be the top game in League Two, I think the crowd will probably be the best crowd as well, it's a terrific stadium and we need teams like Oxford in this league.

"He's done a great job Chris [Wilder], he finally got them promoted in a manner which he probably wasn't happy with [via the play off's] but it's a difficult league to win.

"I'm looking forwards to the game, it's a big pitch which will suit us as well and we've got everybody fit so the team will be the strongest team that we can put out."

Following Tuesday's impressive performance against Bristol Rovers in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, Dillon told the site that he had already chosen the team that he wants to start against the U's this Saturday and whether that means any reshuffling, will have to wait to be seen.

While The Shots have been far from disgraced in their fixtures so far this season, a lack of goals has certainly hampered their progression and with Tuesday tie against the Pirate's epitomising their inability to hit the target, many will be hoping that Saturday's team selection will do more than just raise a few eyebrows.

With Dillon remaining positive with the amount of chances being created, another evening of blank firing - the fourth time in the last six games, which also included a saved penalty - the second time The Shots have failed to hit the back of the net from the spot this season, the final score [1-0 to Rovers] may well have been another example of how impressive his side can play, but it's lack of goals that is causing the main concern and is highlighting just how fine the line is between success and failure.

The Shots enter the match in fifteenth place with twelve points from their ten games while Oxford are two points better off with fourteen points which has put them six positions higher in ninth place.

Shots team news

While Shots boss Dillon has been pleased with his sides overall performances so far this season, this week has seen him urge his forwards to pitch in at the other end of the field and start taking their chances.

"Our goals against is probably one of the best in the league, but our goals for is poor and that's what we need to improve on," he told BBC Radio Surrey.

"We've got [Marlon] Jackson, we've got [Danny] Hylton, we've got [Wade] Small, we've got Marvin Morgan, we've got Spencie [Damian Spencer], we've got players who can score goals ' they just need to make sure that they do.

"Marvin's got three and probably could have had another three and on top of that his tap-ins ' he's the kind of player that can score goals. He could go on a run and score in every game that's the type of player he is.

"The good thing about Marvin is he's working very hard for the team, I don't think people realise the amount of defensive work he does but he just needs to be a bit more astute in front of goal."

Jack Randall managed to get his first thirty-four minutes of competitive football under his belt this week as he turned out in the clubs midweek defeat against Fleet Town in the Hampshire Senior Cup but is unlikely to be selected in Dillon's squad. The only other doubt hands over loanee Marlon Jackson who has a slight thigh strain but other than that, The Shots have no other worries ahead of the match.

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, Jack Randall, Reece Connolly, Marlon Jackson and Clayton Fortune.

The opposition

While hopes may be riding high at the Kassam Stadium following last weekends home victory against promotion hopefuls Port Vale (2-1), the club's only other victories have come against struggling Hereford United (2-0) and Morecambe (4-0) and Wilder has found that his side have been in a similar boat to the Shots, with more matches drawn that he would have hoped for.

"I don't want us to be labelled as a team that raises its game when the big boys come to town and then doesn't do it the following week," he told the Oxford Mail.

"I don't think I'll get that sort of performance next Saturday [against Aldershot].

"We had to raise our game against Port Vale. They are top of the league for a reason. Their front two lads are a real handful, they've got good players in midfield and they're strong at the back.

"They take charge and try and dominate you, and their away record is absolutely first-class. They do that week in, week out and we've got to be like that, and make sure it's not a one-off. So the test is the next match."


With the U's having picked up five points from their last three games however, the foundations have certainly been put in place ahead of tough games against Macclesfield, Northampton and Bradford all of whom will provide tricky opposition and with both the U's and The Shots needing the victory, it should be an entertaining encounter.

Mark Creighton has returned to the squad having recovered from a dislocated toe and Anthony Tonkin has also recovered from illness. Former Shot Rhys Day played for seventy-minutes for the U's Reserves this week, it is too soon to expect him to make a first team return following his knee injury. Damian Batt and Jake Wright will also miss out as they continue to work towards full match fitness.

U's from: Ryan Clarke, Simon Eastwood, Nathan Silver, Anthony Tonkin, Dannie Bulman, Mark Creighton, 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

Tony Bates will be taking charge of the match and he will be assisted by Derek Eaton and Mark Weaver. John Busby is the fourth official.

Weather forecast

The BBC Weather forecast for the match is given as sunny intervals with highs of 21°C.

Ticket news

Tickets prices for this match are priced at:
Adult seats: £18.50.
Students (on production of ID cards only) seats: £14.50.
Under 16s & Over 65's seats: £10.50.
under 7's seats: Free.
Wheelchair users (only three spaces available): £18.50 (carer free).

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

Other news

  • 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 Aldershot Town FC Media Manager Steve Gibbs will be kicking off coverage after the 2pm news.

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

  • Trust Coach Travel
    Supporters are advised that there are no available spaces on the Aldershot Town Supporters Trust coach as it is fully booked.