Comeback Not Enough For Shots

Last updated : 23 February 2006 By Stray Shots Team
The Aldershot News have reported that amidst cold, rain-swept conditions, the 127-strong loyal Shots brigade looked on as their passion-less side slid to a 2-0 deficit after 29 rather forgettable minutes.

Indeed, the opening period was so bad you really couldn't have blamed the travelling army if they'd have packed up their flags and headed for the exits there and then.

As it is, however, those fans chose to stay and epitomise the kind of spirit which could just save the club from an unprecedented place in the lower reaches.

From start to finish the fans didn't stop singing and got their reward with a much more committed second half display, which almost culminated in a memorable turnaround.

Gary Holloway's goal back on the hour took the Bulls by the horns and but for two desperate saves in the dying seconds from home keeper Wayne Brown, the Shots might have earned their first ever point against Hereford against all odds.

As it is, the defeat stretches Aldershot's away losing run to seven matches although this will surely come to end soon if Brown's men are to learn from the positives of this latest setback.

The boss said: "Defensively, we were poor in the first half, giving them two of the worst goals imaginable.

"But we turned it around after the break and showed a lot of character and commitment and if they keep doing that from the first minute as opposed to the 46th, then we shouldn't have any problems.

"The boys are fighting for their lives at the moment and if you look at the sequence of games we've got coming up, Morecambe and Accrington in the next week, then that level of commitment is going to need to be there.

"We've got to put tonight behind us and build on it."

If losing the likes of Steve Watson (concussion) and Nick Crittenden (hamstring) wasn't bad enough, Brown could well have done without conceding such an early goal.

The boss' efforts to shore up the back line with Lewis Hamilton operating almost as a sweeper was breached within just 132 seconds as the Bulls ferocious charge began in earnest.

Hassan Sulaiman's hesitation on the right allowed Stuart Fleetwood to cross and Andy Williams popped up at the near post to fire an effort off the shin of Greg Heald and past Nikki Bull into the roof of the net.

Daryl Taylor could, and should, have made it two when shooting over from 10 yards unmarked, while Williams and Fleetwood continued to cause the uncertain Shots endless problems in the final third with their pace and movement.

Indeed, it was no surprise to see the scoreline doubled just before the half-hour mark and no surprise indeed to see a defensive blunder blamed for its cause.

A hopeful punt forward down the left flank caused Hamilton to inexplicably fall over his heels, a grateful Fleetwood picked the ball up, easily ghosted inside Heald and slotted cooly past Bull.

But for the Shots keeper in fact, Brown would be planning his half-time team talk with his side 4-0 down. His tip over the bar to deny Williams from distance was surpassed only by an instinctive save on his goal-line to keep out Tamika Mkandawire's towering header.

Brown needed to make a response at the break in order to spare any more blushes, and so it proved, switching to a more conventional 4-4-2, which immediately brought much-needed balance and cohesion.

John Brough's sorry night ended by being replaced by transfer-listed Tobi Jinadu five minutes into the re-start, citing an old hip injury as the cause. But despite that, the Shots still settled the quicker of the sides and enjoyed more possession in the opening ten minutes of the half then they had for the entire opening 45!

Then, with the hour approaching they got their reward.

Ryan Williams picked up the ball on the right flank and scampered his way forward before pinging in a dangerous low cross between keeper and back line.

The ball looked like going out but Jonny Dixon never gave up the ghost, pulling the ball back from the by-line and paving the way for Holloway to finish it off with a diving header from eight yards.

Game on!

Hereford — with just one defeat in their last 15 — were now shell-shocked while Brown's Shots had their tails up — Leroy Griffiths, Ryan Williams and Dixon causing untold problems to the Bulls' back line without really testing Wayne Brown in the home goal.

The hosts though hit back with Mkandawire heading onto the crossbar and Andy Williams coming close, but if any team looked like scoring late on it was the Shots.

Indeed, but for keeper Brown in denying them twice in the closing stages, they would've done.

First, the Bulls shot-stopper first palmed Heald's close-range effort over the bar, then he produced a match-saving stop to deny Griffiths after Ryan Williams had put him through in the very last seconds.

In between, Heald headed Ryan Williams' corner inches past the near upright to the agony of the proud away support.

So, it wasn't to be this time for the Shots, who now turn their attentions to the visit of Morecambe on Saturday (ko 3pm) with an enviable home record to protect.

Brown's men haven't lost on their home patch in the league since September 27, but Sammy McIlroy's high-flying Shrimpers will once again prove a tough nut to crack.

The former Manchester United legend will be looking to re-ignite the Shrimpers promotion challenge with victory at the Rec on Saturday especially after they were beaten 2-0 by runaway leaders Accrington Stanley on Monday night — a result which sees them slip to fifth in the table.

He does, however, have the Conference's in-form striker at his disposal in ex-Everton man Stuart Barlow, who has found the net five times in seven matches since joining from Bury.

As for Brown, he will have to do without Holloway, who serves a suspension for accumulating five booking, although Ryan Scott returns from his ban.

The boss also hopes to have key men Crittenden and Watson back in contentions after their respective injuries.

With thanks to the Aldershot News.