Lack Of Fitness Cost Shots Two Points

Last updated : 23 August 2005 By Stray Shots Team
It looked like being one of those afternoons when the hosts took the lead early on, but the Shots gave a good account of themselves to level the score and put their first well-earned point on the board.

But after a nightmare start to the season that has seen two defeats and a horror injury to key midfielder David Lee, the pressure is visibly taking its toll on Brown.

“I'd have taken a point after five minutes when they went 1-0 up. It's just important that we've registered something for our toils. That's two games where we've been hanging on in the end — at Canvey we didn't manage to hang on.

“The only reason we didn't go on and win it today is because we weren't physically strong enough and good enough to do so. When I don't get three points I'm always disappointed so although I can take into account the circumstances behind it, it's not going to send me home a happy bunny,” said Brown.

Another two players were drafted in late last week to help ease the boss' injury woes, most notably Matt Somner, a long-term target of Brown's, who turned his back on a move to League Two side Bristol Rovers in favour of a one-year deal at the Rec.

The 22-year-old versatile defender had been trialling with the Shots over the summer but after a short spell with the Gas, decided to return much to the relief of Brown.

Also joining on non-contract terms is former Northampton and Kidderminster midfielder Bertrand Cozic — the Frenchman also being a target of Brown's last summer.

“I was very pleased with the debuts of both the new boys, Bertrand in the first half made a lot of effective runs into their box. I think Matt Somner will be a fantastic signing for us, he's big, he's strong, a proper man, we've still got a few boys out there.

“I'm really chuffed that he's signed, he's got a number of league appearances under his belt, and he's still young so I think we could get a great deal out of Matt,” added Brown.

While the signings undoubtedly bolster the squad, the side will struggle in terms of stability if loan signings Scott Guyett and Chris McPhee return to Yeovil and Brighton respectively when their month-long deals expire in three weeks' time.

With Guyett openly saying that he will not be staying on, and with John Brough joining the injury list, Brown will have to bring in another centre half for the trip to Morecambe next month.
The boss continues to count down the days until the return of Steve Watson, Gary Holloway and Darren Barnard, and has warned Shots fans that it will still be some time before the strongest side is put out.

“I don't think I'll be able to pick my best team until September and even then, mid-September until you start seeing the best out of the Shots.

“It might not be the best start we've had but this is a difficult place to come, they're a good side and they might have scored on another day. It's pleasing just to have something tangible out of the three games,” said Brown.

A point was no less than the Shots deserved, and whilst the home side put pressure on in the last 15 minutes, the Shots had had several chances to win the game themselves.

Despite starting brightly, it was Halifax who took the lead after just three minutes. Shots right-back Hassan Sulaiman was caught napping at the far post, and from Steve Haslam's delivery, John Grant was allowed a free header to put his side ahead.

The Shots came back with their own chances — Tobi Jinadu heading wide from the lively Ahmed Deen's corner, and Sills shot just wide on the turn.
Shots keeper Nikki Bull denied John Brabin as his 25-yard low shot found its way through a crowd of players before the shot-stopper collected.

Minutes before the end of the half, Grant almost doubled the score but could only find the side netting from Ryan Sugden's ball.

Then on 43 minutes the Shots almost pulled themselves level. Sulaiman fed Nick Crittenden who weaved his way though the defence forcing a good reaction save from Ian Dunbavin with a shot from close range.

From the resulting corner Deen delivered for Guyett to look for his second goal of the season with a header, only for Dunbavin to tip this effort over the bar.

But within a minute into the second half, the Shots forced their way back into the game.
Chris McPhee, who had managed to shake off Peter Atherton on the edge of the box, broke free, only to be hauled down by Dunbavin.

Referee Mr Page surprisingly decided not to book the keeper, instead showing a yellow card to Martin Foster who had taken exception to the decision to award a penalty.

Pushing and shoving on the edge of the area suddenly led to Cozic falling to the floor clutching his face, the apparent victim of a flailing arm from Brabin leading to delay for the spot kick and a furious reaction from the home fans.

McPhee Scores From The Spot
Three minutes on, McPhee was finally able to take the kick and he did so calmly, slotting the ball past Dunbavin with ease to bring the Shots level.

Two minutes later, however, and the Shaymen were almost ahead once again, with Grant again the dangerman but Bull blocked the striker's effort.

Things looked to get worse for the Shots when the lively Deen, the victim of some tough tackling, hobbled off and replaced by Tarkan Mustafa to make his first appearance of the season, while Bertie Brayley replaced the exhausted Tim Sills.

The Shots, however, still found themselves on the back foot with the impressive Grant shaking off Sulaiman only for Bull to make another fine save with his fingertips.

Brabin then hit his second 20-yard shot just wide of the post as the hosts pile forward — pressure which almost led to Grant snatching victory in the closing minutes from Tyrone Thompson's corner, but Sulaiman was on hand to clear.

With no midweek fixture this week, Brown will be bringing his squad in for some hard physical training as they battle to keep up with their Conference rivals, who have the benefit of a full pre-season behind them.

The boss said: “Not playing Tuesday is a terrific bonus because Sillsy is absolutely dead now, we're literally having to rebuild him at half-time.

“We're having a real pre-season week, getting a lot of the boys who were injured doing a lot of physical work because we're probably going to be a month behind everybody else in terms of fitness levels. There's nothing I can do about that but we have to work very hard to make sure it happens.”

And with two games in three days, the boss knows that he will need to use his juggling skills while not ruling out a swoop for further recruits.

“Tim Sills is physically never going to be able to play Saturday and Monday, I'd like to get another midfielder in and I have to get another forward in, it's as simple as that, he added.”

SHOTS: Bull 8, Sulaiman 6, GUYETT 8, Hamilton 6 (sub Scott 87mins), Jinadu 7, Deen 7 (Mustafa, 54), Somner 7, Cozic 6, Crittenden 6, Sills 7 (Brayley 73), McPhee 7. Not used: Weait, Winfield.

Ref: A Page. Att: 1,571.

With thanks to the Aldershot News