Match number 1000 of their short but illustrious history will loom large in the Aldershot Town record books, but only as the Club’s record League defeat.
The Shots had started positively, and could even have taken an early lead, but once Greg Pearson grabbed the first goal of a 15 minute hat-trick, from the penalty spot, Aldershot’s capitulation was absolute. The ignominy was completed by Anthony Charles’ 76th minute sending off for a professional foul, as Kevin Dillon’s re-shuffled side were overwhelmed by Burton’s impressively industrious performance. Returning midfield partnership Halls and Harding were powerless against their dynamic counterparts, Penn and McGrath, and failed to stem the waves of pressure surging through a surprisingly fragile Shots defence. An open and largely equal first 30 minutes did little to suggest that Burton would be out of sight by half-time, but Pearson’s treble – confident penalty, crisp angled finish and predatory header – was augmented by a rather fortunate rebound off Kabba’s shin, and suddenly all of a red and blue persuasion were left stunned. Again The Shots re-emerged the stronger side, but John Grant’s excellent header, on 66 minutes, was too little too late and The Brewers simply set about exploiting more of their opponents’ defensive frailties. Kabba slid in for his second, with Straker’s injury leaving huge gaps down the left side, and substitute Harrad was able to virtually walk the ball in to complete the rout. An early test of Dillon’s leadership and coaching skills won’t totally extinguish a highly promising start to his career at The EBB Stadium, but next weekend’s visit of Bradford City will require massive and wholesale improvement from this shambles.