Away Success For Tel At Last

Last updated : 22 March 2006 By Stray Shots Team

The long-awaited win is Aldershot's first on the road since November, and is also their first double of the season, having now taken all six points off the Harriers.

With a tough trip to fierce rivals Woking tomorrow (Tuesday, ko 7.45pm), this weekend's result could not have come at a more welcome time.

Brown said: “It's been a horrible year but I can enjoy what's coming up, we're really looking forward to Woking on Tuesday.”

With the Cards winning 1-0 against Boreham Wood in the FA Trophy at the weekend thanks to Tom Hutchinson's late winner, they will undoubtedly have one eye on making the final.

If they do, they will become the first side in 27 years to reach a Trophy final without having played opposition of equal or higher level, but Brown is not counting on the Cards having minds elsewhere.

He added: “For them, it's Aldershot at home, it's one Glenn (Cockerill) will want to win, the same way I want to win and the supporters of both side tell you how important it is.

“They've still got a great chances of promotion play-offs so that'll be their number one priority. They're a good Trophy side and they've got a good chance of going all the way.”

With that comment comes the disclosure that Brown too is still harbouring optmistic hopes of making the play-offs himself — a win at Woking will put the Shots above their rivals, but Brown knows it will take a mammoth effort.
He said: “We've got nine games left and should we win all nine we'll get a play-off spot!”

Saturday though, was pure delight for the 185 travelling Shots fans, a performance full of confidence, skill and more so — pace, the threat that Kidderminster failed to deal with all afternoon.

In truth what perhaps won the game for the Shots was winning the toss, and skipper Steve Watson's inspired choice to change ends meant his side could run riot in the first half with the wind at their backs.

“It was a difficult day conditions-wise, cold and windy on a difficult pitch.” Brown continued. “We took our goals well and it was one of those days where everything went for us.

“It was probably the strangest team talk I've ever had to give, I can't remember being 4-0 up away from home anywhere! It was nice for the fans behind the goal to see the goals go in their game, I can't often remember them singing ‘we want five', away from home!”.

The boss handed youngster Kirk Hudson his first Conference start after a promising display against Dagenham & Redbridge the week before. Lewis Hamilton kept his place at right-back, and deservedly so, with Matt Somner returning to the bench from his suspension.

The Shots stamped their authority right from the off with Nick Crittenden forcing a good block at point-blank range from keeper John Danby.

On six minutes the Shots made a deserved breakthrough. Leroy Griffiths won a free kick on the edge of the area and Welsh wizard Darren Barnard stepped up and calmly slotted beautifully round the wall and past the outstretched keeper John Danby.

At this point, the home side were still in with a shot, Luke Reynolds hitting back instantly but his effort was wide of the target.

Then out of nothing came the Shots' second goal, and again Barnard was in amongst it. The defender whipped in a cross from the left and it was Crittenden who rose above his marker Jonny Harkness to head strongly past the flailing keeper.

Gary Holloway came desperately close to adding a third but despite propelling himself forward to get on the end of a Crittenden delivery, he just couldn't connect as the ball flashed wide.

Simon Russell blasted over the bar from a good position as the home side looked to get themselves back in with a chance, before Russ Penn had a shot that was easily gathered by keeper Nikki Bull.

With the Shots dominating against a largely inept Kidderminster, it was no surprise when they found their third on 33 minutes. From Lewis Hamilton's throw-on, Griffiths lashed a cross into the area, perfectly placed for Ryan Williams at the far post to volley past the keeper.

With the home side frustrated, Michael Blackwood was booked for a foul on Watson, and then, despite being arguably the home side's best player, boss Mark Yates chose to take off the midfielder.

With half-time looming, the Shots completed their first-half rout as Hudson added a fourth with a debut goal.

From a long ball forward the striker picked up the ball and with Danby rushing out of his area to collect, the keeper was left stranded. Hudson chipped the ball round him and despite Harriers' skipper Daryl Burgess chasing, he could not keep the ball out as it rolled over the line.

With boos from the home support ringing out around the ground, Reynolds went close in a one-on-one with Bull who claimed the ball smartly.

However, just seven minutes into the second half Harriers reduced the arrears when Russell crossed into the area, both Greg Heald and new signing Ian Simpemba simply watched as Reynolds volleyed past Bull.

The Shots responded as Hamilton flashed the ball across the face of goal looking for a fifth before Danby collected from a Williams' cross-cum-shot.
Gareth Sheldon blasted over the bar from a good position but the Harriers heads were well and truly down, although they did go close to adding a second.

Holloway turned defender heading out for a corner, and from Sheldon's delivery, Penn headed a dipping shot towards goal, but Bull clawed the effort away ensuring Harriers had little more than a consolation.

With seven minutes left, Brown introduced on-loan Watford youngster Kyle Matthews for his first run-out in a Shots shirt — and he came within inches of marking it with a goal from Hudson's feed.

With this biggest wibn of the season behind him, Brown is expecting to have a fully fit squad available for the trip to Woking tonight, bar Jonny Dixon (hamstring).  Watson (groin), Hamilton (hamstring) and Griffiths (knee) should all have shaken off respective knocks picked up on Saturday to be fit for the much-anticipated match.

Cockerill is expected to field an unchanged line-up from the side that won in the Trophy on Saturday, with no major injury concerns.

With the win on Saturday Brown is naturally in high spirits, moreover, the Cards have claimed just a point from the Shots in the last two seasons.
Last year the Shots claimed the double, winning 2-1 away thanks to a last-gasp winner from Barnard — and then thrashed the Cards 4-0 at the Rec.

The year before the Shots again won 2-1 this time at the Rec, and drew 2-2 at Kingfield.

Brown added: “Saturday's win is a smashing prelude to what will be a very exciting local derby, they're halfway between their semi-final, let's hope that we carry on with the form we've shown previously against Woking.

With thanks to the Aldershot News.