Lightning struck for a third time at The EBB Stadium, as Aldershot Town crashed out of the Carling Cup at the first hurdle. Not only was it the third consecutive season in which The Shots were well-beaten but far from disgraced, all three goals came from defensive errors which were seized on with impressive finishes by Danny Graham and Marvin Sordell.
The opening 45 minutes were relatively even, a spirited and open encounter in which both sides created chances and caused problems. Right on the stroke of half-time, however, the home side were two goals down. Graham seized upon Ben Harding’s fatal dalliance on the edge of the box with an inch-perfect, angled shot that was almost a carbon copy of his second goal against Norwich on Friday.
Then Ben Herd and Jamie Young found themselves stranded in indecision as Doyley burst into the box down the left. Full-back and goalkeeper left the ball for each other and Doyley chipped the ball into the middle for Sordell to double their lead with a deft touch.
It was somewhat harsh on The Shots, who had troubled a resolute Watford back-four and worried reserve goalkeeper Gilmartin into several mistakes. And the tie was over just three minutes after the re-start, as Vincent ceded possession on the left touchline. It still gave Graham much to do, but his run and spectacular finish into the far top corner left Young with no chance.
The final 42 minutes were a total non-event except for the debut of winger Jermaine McGlashan, who with two brief cameos down the right flank created a buzz of excitement around the ground.
Kevin Dillon declared himself pleased with the performance but will no doubt be expecting a more positive result against Southend United on Saturday when Aldershot Town need to earn their first victory of the season.