Time Is Running Out

Last updated : 07 February 2006 By Stray Shots Team
With 16 games left and nine places to make up, Terry Brown is all too aware that his side can ill-afford many more defeats, despite tough games looming.

He told the Aldershot News, “I think the amount of games left that we can lose is dwindling quickly. We must first address the next game and turn it round and have a win.

“We desperately need to address the little slump we're in at the moment and the sooner we do that the better. I'm not worried about any games except the next one and that's York,” added Brown.

Indeed it is, as the trip to Tamworth on Tuesday night has yet again been rearranged after the Lambs drew their FA Trophy tie with Dagenham & Redbridge 0-0 on Saturday —and the boss is grateful for the delay.

“We've got a very thin squad so we need those extra days, there's not too many changes I can make for that squad, we've got to prepare for a battle because some of the games we've got coming up are as daunting as this one.”

The boss, however, did make changes to his back line — no surprise given the disastrous defensive display at Altrincham the week previously.

Lewis Hamilton was drafted in for Matt Somner at right back to cope with the threat of teen sensation George Boyd, while on-loan Gary Elphick was replaced by fit-again John Brough.

Naturally, Jonny Dixon joining on loan from Wycombe Wanderers, was put straight into the side up front with Leroy Griffiths as Brown reverted to his preferred 4-4-2 formation.

Indeed the new-look front two had their own fair share of efforts and perhaps a draw would have been a fairer result.

But with the sending off of Darren Barnard 12 minutes from time, Graham Westley's Stevenage made an immediate response with Dino Maamria finding the winner within seconds.

Brown added: “They had enough chances to win it so I have no complaints about the score, but we've got to work hard to create problems for the opposition.

“I'm disappointed as we were very naïve in the amount of free kicks we gave away and I was disappointed with my senior players continually fouling.

“No way in a million years was Darren Barnard's second offence. I have a complaint in that I thought it was an unnecessary sending off but that isn't going to matter an iota to anybody.“

The game started well for the visitors as neat work between Ryan Williams and Dixon saw a good ball in for Griffiths to fire a shot, forcing keeper Alan Julian into a good save.

But Stevenage, driven in midfield by former Shot Adam Miller, were never out of the contest and demonstrated their threat from set-pieces with the ex-QPR man firing wide from Boyd's delivery.

Brough somehow fired over from close range, but already the Shots were looking promising in what was turning out to be an end-to-end encounter.

A good block from Shots keeper Nikki Bull denied Jon Nurse while, at the other end, Barnard blasted over from a well-placed free kick, and minutes later, put a better effort straight into the arms of Julian.

On 16 minutes though, Stevenage found the breakthrough. Receiving a ball from Dannie Bulman on the edge of the area, Boyd shot and watched how the ball squirmed under the palms of Bull by the post and into the back of the net.

Brown wanted a response and within two minutes he got it when Nick Crittenden fired home from the edge of the box through a crowd of players.

The goals increased the tempo and paved to way for a feisty affair, which saw tempers flare. Indeed, the first booking of the afternoon went to Miller, who up-ended his former team-mate Watson to start a bruising duel.

Boyd shot again to lead the home reply, but Bull was this time equal to the challenge parrying away. The resulting corner saw Miller deliver and Luke Oliver shot into the arms of Bull.

Westley's men also had two penalty shouts waved away as Watson and Bull clumsily challenged Nurse in the box, and Greg Heald held back Boyd. Neither of which interested referee Simon Beck.

For the Shots, Ryan Williams hit an effort over the bar while a good save from Julian denied Griffiths' volley from an acute angle.

The Shots started the second half the stronger with Brough and Griffiths bundling the keeper over his line while Dixon could only find the side-netting after rounding Julian and deciding to shoot instead of chosing the wiser option in squaring to an unmarked Gary Holloway.

Williams then ran the length of the wing to square for Dixon but his shot was blocked by Oliver.

But not for the first time this season, Aldershot's progress was halted by referee Beck.

The man who controversially sent Tim Sills off against Forest Green, then booked Barnard and Holloway in quick succession before brandishing Barnard with his second for a clip on Nurse.

This was harsh, but with Mr Beck in fussy mood, and Barnard already on a booking, the former Welsh international really should know better.

Then, to make matters worse, Bulman floated in the resulting free-kick, Darryn Stamp flicked on and Dino Maamria fired home the winner.

The Shots rallied round in search of an equaliser with substitute Somner, planting a firm header just over from Crittenden's corner, and Heald heading into the grateful arms of the keeper.

Griffiths' late effort suffered the same fate and Stevenage held on for the points to end the Shots' 100% record at Broadhall Way.

Brown added: “It's a difficult place to come, I was pleased with the effort and the endeavour, there was enough pride and commitment there, we just didn't quite offer enough going forward or pose enough questions to the Stevenage defence.”

Meanwhile Brown dismissed speculation linking him with the vacant post at Torquay United this week, joking: “Normally you're doing really well in your own league before another club comes in with an offer for you, and that hasn't been the case!

“I'm working very hard to make sure I stay as Aldershot manager for as long as I possibly can."

With thanks to the Aldershot News.