Shrewsbury Town vs Aldershot Town

Last updated : 19 August 2010 By Mike Wray

Aldershot Town defender Ben Herd [pictured right] believes that Saturday's League Two fixture at the Greenhous Meadow Stadium will be one of the toughest test the Shots will face this season - but it's one that the players are relishing.

Although it may be early days, the Shots' hosts who are among the sides tipped for promotion this season have certainly been living up to their billing. In their opening two games they came from a goal behind in order to beat Bradford City 3-1 and from three-nil down against Championship side Charlton Athletic to eventually go through to the second round of the competition by winning 4-3. They also collected all three points at Macclesfield Town last weekend courtesy of a one-goal victory, but although the Shrews are looking impressive, The Shots have their own decent record to fall back on and will be giving their all to get something from the match.

"I think it's been a positive opening week in all with no goals conceded," Ben Herd told The Stray Shots.

The former Shrewsbury player continued: "It's always nice to go back up there and I enjoy the pleasantries after the game, but when I'm there we just have to concentrate on the game and try and get the three points."

Speaking about his former side, he said: "I think they've got a stronger squad than when we last went up there last season and the manager [Graham Turner] has turned it around and they've got pace out wide, which they were lacking last year and they've got two decent wingers playing for them - Ainsworth and Wright, and they look a threat going forwards.

"I'm not sure how they're doing at the back - I've not really seen that side of their game yet, but they conceded a few against Charlton so I think it will be a good game and a real opportunity for us to go and pass the ball on a good pitch and see what we've got."

Shots team news

The Shots have four points from their opening two games and will be hoping to maintain their impressive defensive resolve which has so far seen them keep both Accrington and Southend at bay and speaking to The Stray Shots, manager Dillon told us: "Against Southend our back four, or if you include the keeper, back five, were outstanding.

"They headed and cleared the ball well and defended superbly. They kept a really good line and I was more than happy with the performance so we'll be looking for the same again against Shrewsbury."

Looking ahead to the fixture, Aaron Morris is hoping to make his second appearance for The Shots saying: "I want to establish myself and be playing a lot more.

"I didn't get a lot of experience at Cardiff and hopefully I can nail a position down in this side and get playing week in, week out.

"Apart from the International football, I haven't played an awful lot but I'm hoping I can show the gaffer [Kevin Dillon] what I can do in the little spells I'm playing in, as well as during training and he'll be able to see what I'm capable of and get me in the team. I'm looking forward to the match against Shrewsbury and hopefully we can get a result."

Jack Randall remains sidelined with a fractured fibula while John Halls is now available for selection, however he is only likely to play a small role if selected as he is short of match fitness. Midfielder Ben Harding [pictured left] meanwhile will make his 150th appearance for the club if selected to play and Ross Kitteridge is set to take the place of youngster Jordan Clement who returns to his youth team duties.

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

The opposition

Graham Turner's side go into the match in joint top position with maximum points from their opening two league fixtures however the Shrews boss raised concerns following his side's inability to keep hold of the ball following the match against Macclesfield saying: "We defended as a team when we didn't have the ball and I can't remember our keeper making too many saves and that is testimony to the work we put in defensively.

"I'm still concerned that we gave the ball away too easily and I felt we could have pushed on a bit more but it is a really great result for us [1-0 victory]."

Former Shot loanee Jake Robinson has been on fire at these early stages having netted three times already this season [all coming in the club's opening game against Bradford City] which earned him the honour of becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the npower League.

Keeper Ben Smith was substituted during last weekend's fixture against Macclesfield Town suffering with a groin strain and will be out for two weeks to allow the strain time to heal so Chris Neal will feature between the sticks for the Shrews with youth keeper Hakan Duyan providing the back-up from the bench. Kevin McIntyre will be missing as he sits out the last of his three-match suspension, having been sent off in the opening day's victory against Bradford City while Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, Steve Leslie, Lewis Neal and Benjamin Van Der Broek are all unlikely to feature having featured for the Reserves midweek.

Shrews from: Chris Neal, Hakan Duyan, David Raven, Mat Sadler, Sean McAllister, Ian Sharps, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, Mark Wright, Kevin McIntyre, Matt Harrold, Jake Robinson, Steven Leslie, Lewis Neal, Kris Bright, Lionel Ainsworth, Benjamin Van Der Broek, Daniel O'Donnell, Craig Disley, Harry Hooman, Danny Taylor, Jon Taylor and Tom Bradshaw.

  • You can visit the official Shrewsbury Town website here.

 

Taking charge

Pat Miller will be taking charge of the match and he will be assisted by Simeon Lucas and Rob Jones. Carl Dunn is the fourth official.

Ticket news

Tickets for the match are set at:
Adult seats: £18.
Concession (Over 65s, students and disabled) seats: £13.
Over 12s to Under 16s seats: £11.
11 and under seats: £5.

There are also various 'family' prices available, please see the official Shrewsbury Town website for full details.

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

Other news

  • Coach travel to Shrewsbury Town
    The Aldershot Town Supporters Trust have had to cancel their coach travel to this match due to insufficient bookings.

  • Supporters planning to make their own way to the match can plan their journey and find out the latest travel news here. Please remember, the V Festival is taking place this weekend, so you could experience delays on the M54 around the Cosford area.

    Supporters are reminded that they can book for the club's next away fixture, against Port Vale on Saturday 11th September 2010 by visiting the Trust's office at the High Street end of the North Stand on match days or by visiting their website here.

    Prices for Port Vale are once again set very low, with each space costing just £15 per seat. Please make the effort to support the Trust in providing this excellent low cost service.

  • BBC Radio Surrey
    Supporters unable to make the match can listen to live match commentary on BBC Radio Surrey on 104.6FM where Gavin Denison and Aldershot News & Mail Sports Editor Charlie Oliver will be kicking off coverage, live after the 2pm news.