Pre-season brought excited predictions of flowing football and goals aplenty at The EBB Stadium, but thus far it has been more about the team’s strength, spirit and appetite for the battle that has seen them make a promising start in League Two.
Eventually Marvin Morgan’s scrambled winner, after good work from substitutes Wade Small and Damien Spencer, shaded a tight encounter, but, despite dominating possession, The Shots could easily have fallen to a Southend sucker punch. A switch to 4-4-2 galvanised the home side’s late resurgence amidst pouring rain and rumbling thunder, but the win owed much to Aldershot’s defensive solidity against a fluid Southend attack.
And, for all of the neat approach play of Kevin Dillon’s team, it was the visitors who created the best chances of an even first half, although shots from Simpson and Corr failed to require a save from Jamie Young. Louie Soares’ angled drive did beat Young, but only found the imposing Darren Jones clearing his lines inside the six-yard box, and soon the goalkeeper did well to hold onto Easton’s shot through a crowded penalty area.
Morgan proved too mobile for centre-halves Prosser and Phillips, yet only his 41st minute effort – breaking onto Little’s through ball – found the target. Guttridge saw a point-blank shot blocked by Morris after the break, and as conditions deteriorated Southend got stronger. However, with Jones and Panther outstanding, Aldershot simply raised their own game further and were buoyed by the change in formation.
The goal, when it came, was scrappy, but typified Aldershot’s efforts, as Small's pass invited Morgan to bundle his way through the Southend defence. Spencer ended up on his backside in trying to reach the loose ball but still his challenge on Morris saw the ball spilled back into the path of Morgan, who turned to rifle the ball into the net.
Spencer again slipped at the vital moment when bearing down on goal and wasted a chance to extend the lead, and Morgan scuffed a shot straight at Morris, and ultimately the three points became just reward for their tenacity.
So far so good for The Shots, after two deceptively difficult fixtures, and evidence that this team can augment silky passing with a steelier edge provides persuasive arguments for a successful season.