Shots Ease To Hants Cup Victory

ALDERSHOT TOWN 2 FLEET TOWN 1

HAMPSHIRE SENIOR CUP FINAL

The Shots wrapped up their season with a trophy when they defeated local side Fleet Town 2-1 in the Hampshire Senior Cup Final at the Fitness First Stadium in Bournemouth. The score line somewhat flattered Fleet, but the Shots only had themselves to blame for that.

Fielding almost a full strength team Caretaker Manager Martin Kuhl sent the message that he wanted the season to finish on a relative high after the disappointments of the Conference campaign.

With Hampshire Cup captain Ryan Scott cruelly sidelined by his broken leg sustained at Altrincham last week Darren Barnard assumed the role. Danny Hylton led the line from the start alongside top scorer John Grant. The midfield started with Ryan Williams, Ricky Newman, Louie Soares and Kirk Hudson while the defence lined up with Dean Smith, Dave Winfield, Marcus Gayle and Barnard. Louis Wells continued his duties as HSC goalkeeper. Nikki Bull, Jason Milletti, Mark Pritchard, Johnny Dixon and Phil Anderson made up the bench, with only Milletti and Bull eventually not getting on the pitch.

From the start of the game the difference in levels was clear and Aldershot were in the ascendancy. Apart from a couple of forays Fleet never really troubled the defence. Marcus Gayle, released this week, and Dave Winfield looked very solid and dealt with everything Fleet could throw at them, while Smith seemed to be enjoying himself in the more relaxed atmosphere at right back.

Once The Shots took the lead through John Grant's header there was only going to be one result as the game deteriorated into something more akin a pre-season friendly. Fleet put in lots of effort, but only some poor finishing by the Shots kept the score down to 1-0. The woodwork got in the way on five occasions and the Fleet keeper pulled of a couple of decent saves, but Williams, Hudson, Dixon and Grant should all have added to the Shots tally before Grant's second half header settled the game. Fleet managed a consolation in the 90^th minute which briefly gave them a hope of forcing extra time, but the Shots saw out the 3 minutes of added time to lift the Trophy for the fifth time.

Once the final whistle had gone the 1000 Shots fans in the 1105 crowd enjoyed the presentation ceremony and then the celebrations of the Shots players. In a fine gesture to missing captain Ryan Scott, the Shots players and staff all donned white T shirts with the message "HSC Cup Winners - This One's For Scotty". Ryan Williams was voted Man of The Match by the sponsors, which was a little unfair on Kirk Hudson who looked extremely dangerous the whole game.

Marcus Gayle, Mark Pritchard and Phil Anderson were all making their final appearance for the Shots, having been released this week. It was a testament to their professionalism that they all put in good performances in their farewell to the fans and seemed to fully enjoy the after match celebrations with their now former team mates. Karl Beckford and Andy Edwards, also released, did not figure in the game. All at Stray Shots wish them all well in their future careers and thank them for their efforts this season.

So now we turn to the summer break and the appointment of the new manager. With senior players Ryan Williams, Mark Moseley, and Ricky Newman currently considering new contract offers and Darren Barnard and Louis Wells waiting for the new manager to decide their futures with The Shots it will be a summer of speculation and new faces. Come August when the first match in the Blue Square Premier kicks off we will be full of optimism for another promotion push. We can only hope that the optimism lasts longer than it did this season.