Aldershot Town Vs Swindon Town

Last updated : 02 September 2008 By Stray Shots Team

Despite the Robin's having made a disappointing start to their League campaign, the match will certainly promise to be a tough encounter for The Shots as Swindon boss Maurice Malpas seeks to improve on his clubs Second Round exit in the competition last season.

Indeed, Malpas has stated that his side will be doing "everything possible" to progress to the next round telling his clubs official website that the cup competitions are high on the priority list this season.

"Cup competitions seem to have been taken lightly here in the past, but that is not the way I will be approaching the game," said Malpas.

Indeed, due to the poor start, the Robin's boss wasn't afraid of changing the shape of his side and with former Crawley Town keeper Phil Smith also earning a re-call at the weekend, the dividend certainly paid off after the Wiltshire side came away from Buckinghamshire with an important three points - ending a run of three straight defeats.

With Swindon securing a narrow victory with a penalty which proved to be virtually the last kick of the game, Malpas warned his clubs supporters not to expect any flamboyant football.

He continued, "We changed our mentality before the game and having not won many on the road last season, we are absolutely delighted with the way things worked out."

"I think in the second half we showed how we should be playing more often when we are away from The County Ground.

"The fans have got to get used to us playing like that away from home - we offered them plenty of the ball and made sure they didn't get behind us.

"Sometimes we will play like that, other times we will be different. We have belief that our strikers will score and that is tremendously important.

"We want to win every game and the targets we have set will make sure the players know what is required of them."

Gary Waddock will have to be mindful of the negative tactics almost certainly to be employed by his visitors and he will be hoping to emulate his sides performances in last seasons Setanta Shield.

Club skipper Hasney Aljofree will be missing after a bout of sickness and although the highly rated centre-half did manage to play in the Wiltshire sides victory against the MK Dons at the weekend, but is being given time to recuperate ahead of the clubs important League One fixture against Hereford United on Friday evening.

Yinka Casal is expected to be fit, despite having been substituted at the weekend with a hamstring strain and former Crawley Town keeper Phil Smith may also be set to retain his place between the sticks after impressing at the weekend.

The Shots are likely to be missing Anthony Straker, Dean Howell and Junior Mendes, while Dave Winfield is definitely out - all through injury.