Aldershot Town 3 - 1 Stevenage Borough

Last updated : 18 February 2008 By Stray Shots Team
Danny Hylton: Scored his second senior goal for The Shots
An Excellent all round team performance from the Shots saw them re-establish their 6 point lead over Torquay, at the top of the table.

The home side produced some superb flowing football, especially during the first half, where they took a 3 - 0 lead into the interval.

The one blemish came from a short corner in the 62nd minute, when the Shots defence switched off and allowed Grant a free header to pull one back.

Gary Waddock made two changes from Tuesday night's draw with Cambridge.

The fit again Danny Hylton came in for Elvins and Captain Rhys Day replaced the suspended Charles at Centre Half.

The visitors had the first chance of the game on 7 minutes.

Dave Winfield mis-kicked and the ball fell to Mitchell Cole who was unmarked at the far post, but the winger dragged his effort horribly wide from inside 10 yards.

The Shots were in front 2 minutes later, and it was a well worked goal.

Lewis Chalmers played a neat one/two with Rob Gier and then he clipped an exquisite ball into the 6 yard box, where Joel Grant was on hand to volley home.

At the other end Rhys Day did well to dispossess Rankine.

The Shots were totally dominating proceedings now, and they were awarded a penalty in the 18th minute.

A flighted cross came over from Joel Grant and his namesake John was bundled over in the box by Luke Oliver.

The Shots striker dusted himself down and sent keeper Julian the wrong to find the back of the net.

Kirk Hudson then went on a storming run down the right and he stood up a ball to the far post, where only a last ditch header from Henry prevented John Grant having a goal-scoring opportunity.

In the 23rd minute the Shots were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position, just outside the box.

Ben Harding took it and unleashed a thunderbolt, which went through the wall, but somehow Julian got a strong hand to it and pushed it round the post.
The visitors had their best effort of the half 5 minutes later.

Steve Morison, who was generally kept quiet by Rhys Day and Dave Winfield, fizzed an effort inches wide of the far post, with Bull well beaten.

The Shots got the killer 3rd goal on the half hour.

After some unbelievable control, Joel Grant sent Hudson on his way.

The winger got to the bye-line and his precise cross was turned in by Hylton at the near post.

The home side continued to open up Stevenage almost at will and created several more chances.

Joel Grant had an effort well blocked and from the resulting corner, Winfield's header was cleared from inside the 6 yard box.

Joel Grant then set up Hylton whose well struck shot whistled just wide of the far post.

The same player had the last effort of the half, but his shot was gathered at the second attempt by the keeper.

Half Time: Shots 3 - Stevenage 0

Gavin Grant replaced Cole for the visitors at half time.

The Shots continued to play some flowing football after the break.

Joel Grant was involved in most things, but if anything they were guilty of overplaying on a number of occasions.

Stevenage got back into the game on 62 minutes.

Substitute Grant was given too much space and he planted his header past Bull from a short corner.

Louis Soares then made a welcome return from injury when replacing Hylton.
In the 83rd minute, Joel Grant passed inside for Harding, who teed up the ball for Chalmers.

The latter's well struck, on target effort was deflected just over.

A free kick for the visitors was flicked on and Bull had to be on his mettle to save Westwood's effort on the goal line.

Then O'Sullivan sliced his effort wide, when in a good position.

The final effort of the game came from man of the match Joel Grant, but after a flowing move, his effort was well saved by Julian.

Gary Waddock must have been pleased with this performance, which I believe was the Shots best so far this season.

TS Ratings:
Bull 7, Gier 7, Straker 7, Winfield 7, Day 7, Harding 7.5, Hudson 7.5, Chalmers 7.5, John Grant 7, Hylton 7 (Soares 6), Joel Grant 8.

With thanks to Tongham Shots.