Derby Delight For Shots

Last updated : 23 March 2006 By Stray Shots Team

Three consecutive wins, — two away from home — plus derby honours for the second successive season at Kingfield — the Shots are providing their long-suffering fans with much cheer right now.

With a performance full of drive and passion, Terry Brown's merry men notched up another three points and moved two places up the table — to take them into the top ten for the first time this season AND ahead of their rivals.

The boss said: “It's a happy hunting ground for us, we've caught them at the right time between the Trophy semi-finals, but I thought to be honest a draw would have been a fair result.

“They came back in the second half and had numerous chances, Nikki Bull and my two centre halves played very well but there are several times this year we've had no luck so a little bit of luck is always welcome.”

Granted, Cards boss Glenn Cockerill clearly did have one eye on making the FA Trophy final, as he made four changes to the side which beat Boreham Wood in the semi-final on Saturday.

But he was on the back foot straight away as the Shots started in determined mood, much as they did at Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday — this despite a 15-minute delay in the start due to expected crowd congestion.

Goals from Nick Crittenden and Darren Barnard put the Shots ahead — again like Saturday — before the hosts set up a tense finale pulling one back with six minutes to go.

“It seems a clean-sheet is never going to happen, we're always going to leave it so it's always a nervy last five minutes,” added Brown.

“It's nice that our supporters, who have had a pretty shocking year — especially those that have travelled in force away, and it's great for them to get want they want and beat their local rivals,” Brown. continued.

It was Aldershot who started brightest, continually probing the Woking defence.

Leroy Griffiths whipped in a cross just eluding Ryan Williams and then going for goal himself only for keeper Shwan Jalal to pluck the ball out of the air.

Jalal collected from a Steve Watson drive from 30 yards as the Shots asserted themselves early.

At the same time, Woking seemed to contribute significantly to their own downfall, failing to keep possession with woeful passing.

Indeed, it was no surprise when the Shots took the lead on 28 minutes.

Griffiths laid off to Crittenden on the edge of the box and the former Chelsea man's shot deceived Jalal and crept into the bottom corner — one that the keeper will want to forget.

Two minutes later, the Shots doubled their advantage after a controversial sequence of events.

Williams' shot was clearly handled by Tom Hutchinson in the area, giving referee Fred Graham no choice but to point ot the spot.

Mr Graham booked the midfielder before Darren Barnard stepped up to slot home into the bottom right corner.

But as he wheeled away in celebration, Mr Graham ordered a re-take for infringement and Barnard duly obliged again, this time firing into the opposite corner.

Moments later Gary MacDonald made a poor clearance that saw him give the ball straight to Crittenden, who promptly threaded through for Holloway, only to shoot just wide.

Woking almost reduced the arrears just before the break, but Steve Ferguson's effort hit the side netting.

The Cards started the second half much brighter, although still lacking the ability to string together a serious sequence of passes.

They did come close though when Conference top scorer Justin Richards saw his shot well-blocked by Bull at close range. Karl Murray was quickest to the rebound, but his shot came off the post before Greg Heald hacked the ball off the line with the home fans were already cheering the goal.

As the Cards got better, the Shots failed to respond, resorting to long ball tactics.

Indeed Woking again came close to reducing arrears, Bull again blocked at his near post to deny Ferguson, the ball squirmed away and once again it was Heald who cleared off the line.

Bull was then called on again to make a brave block, denying Hutchinson and this was followed up minutes later with another smart block from Ferguson.

The rebound fell to the feet of an unmarked Malik Buari who, with only the keeper to beat, somehow managed an air-shot from just yards out.

On 84 minutes though Woking's persistence paid off though as MacDonald hit a low shot into the net to set up as nail-biting last five minutes — as is ever the Aldershot way!

However, the Shots held firm to claim the points, much to the delight of their 1,043 travelling fans.

With relegation-threatened Scarborough the next test for the Shots, Brown is aiming to continue this winning run with another three points at the Rec on Saturday.

“We've got to carry on our recent upturn in form, I'd expect a decent crowd there and we'll be looking to keep our winning run going.

“We go into it in a positive way, both my wingers are better going forward than tucking in, it makes us very dangerous and good to watch on the break,” said Brown.

The Shots have a mixed record against the Seadogs, losing both games in the 2004/5 season, but last season drawing 2-2 away and then beating them at the Rec 2-0 on the last day of the season to seal their play-off place.

Earlier this season, the Shots again drew 2-2 at Scarborough, thanks to a rare Tobi Jinadu effort and an own goal.

“They're a big side we'll have to watch them, but if we get it down and play as we can then I'm sure we'll be ok,” said Brown.

With the Shots to face only one of the top ten sides in their end of season run-in, a play-off spot is still technically possible.

With Brown looking to make it four wins on the trot on Saturday, he could be in line for the manager of the month award — an accolade he would not relish.

He added: “I certainly hope I don't win it, the last time I did we didn't win for about 15 weeks! Things are going well, I had a Plan A, now we're on Plan B, but if we keep winning I might have to think of a Plan C!”

With thanks to the Aldershot News.