Terry Happy After Away Win

Last updated : 23 November 2005 By Stray Shots Team
The full article stated that after a disappointing start to an injury-plagued season, things are finally starting to look up for Aldershot Town.

Four wins on the trot, one defeat in eight games (at League One side AFC Bournemouth), Steve Watson coming back from injury and even Roscoe D'Sane making tentative steps towards a first-team return, boss Terry Brown finally has reason to smile.

Saturday's fine away victory over Conference newcomers Cambridge United moves the Shots up to 12th, and within a shot of the title-chasing pack.

Indeed, for the first time so far this season, the Shots looked in control of things with a more balanced and experienced look.

Granted they're not quite firing on all cylinders just yet, but you get the feeling this could be the start of a welcome push up the table.

But while Brown looks to have weathered a rather vicious storm with a couple of bargain buys, he's not getting carried away.

“It's not often you get the chance to be celebrating before 5pm. This game was never easy, don't get me wrong, it was a fiercely contested battle and a very open game.

“It's hard work to win down here and I don't think a lot of clubs will. If we'd have been playing these a month ago we'd have lost.”

Brown was right as that side didn't have the experience and guile of Brian Tinnion in it.

The former Bristol City boss pulled the strings in midfield, and opened the scoring with a sublime free kick after just five minutes.

In fact, Saturday proved to be a day for perfect goals with Tim Sills rising to head home a classic “Sillsy” effort for his ninth goal of the season to secure victory.

“It didn't feel comfortable, it felt like a real battle and it was a tight game,” Brown added.

“Had they scored an equaliser we may well have struggled to get going again. There wasn't much between us, but if you deliver the ball in the right place Tim Sills is the best in the country at scoring those goals.

“It's no corner turned yet, there's still a lot of work to do and we're still not quite good enough in certain areas, I have to say. We'd like to play a bit more and have a bit more of a cutting edge up front, but I can't complain today.

“We're starting to get together as a team now and the side's starting to pick itself.”

With another clean sheet notched up, Brown also paid tribute to his defensive unit.

“I'm delighted with the performance from my two centre halves, I thought they were colossal for me today. The back four is the difference to a month ago, they know what they're doing, they win their battles, and we've got a quality keeper behind them as well.

“We're keeping clean sheets which is the key to any successful side.”

Brown used the game to parade another new partner for Sills up front in the shape of Ashley Vincent.

The 20-year-old arrives from Cheltenham Town on a month-long loan , but is cup-tied for the FA Cup match on December 3 having already turned out for the Robins.

Vincent's debut was just four minutes old when the Shots took the lead — and when it arrived it did so with class.

Scott Howie, Cambridge's former Shrewsbury Town goal-keeper who broke Aldershot's hearts saving every penalty in the Play-Off final two seasons ago, made a mistake in the build-up to Ryan Scott being brought down 10 yards from the edge of the area and Brian Tinnion curled a perfectly weighted shot round the wall and into the top corner.

The Shots pushed for a second and could have found it but for Howie saving Matt Somner's headed effort.

Cambridge's only danger going forward seemed to be the powerhouse of Fola Onibuje up front.

He posed the Shots a few problems with a cross-cum-shot easily gathered and a one-on-one which keeper Nikki Bull was equal to with a push round the post.

The Shots were however, on top with Howie being brought into the action to save Vincent's shot on the turn, while Somner's shot from the resulting corner was blocked on the line by skipper Andy Duncan.

Both keepers were kept busy as the first half drew to a close but the Shots were grateful to Bull for keeping the lead intact, twice denying Onibuje and thwarting Duncan's header.

Cambridge came out firing in the second half with David Bridges mis-hitting a shot over the bar, and Bull diving low to parry Ritchie Hanlon's effort.

The home side also had shouts for a penalty turned down as John Brough seemed to handle the ball out for a corner, but thankfully for the Shots, referee Dave Whitestone waved the claims away.

Home frustrations started to show as a result and when Bull made another superb save at point-blank range to deny Craig Westcarr, U's fans would be forgiven for thinking it wasn't to be their day.

Indeed, those suspicions were confirmed on 68 minutes when the Shots doubled their lead.

Somner's cross from the right was delivered perfectly for Sills to rise above Dan Gleeson and nod past Howie to his obvious delight.

United went hell for leather in response — Ashley Nicholls and substitute Andrew Nolan both firing off target, while Bridges linked up well with Nolan for the former to shoot, only for the heroic Bull to pull off another excellent save to ensure the clean-sheet and indeed three more precious points.

With thanks to the Aldershot News.