Aldershot manager Dean Holdsworth was delighted after this 2-1 victory - his first away win as Shots boss - saw Shots complete back-to-back wins and move up to fourteenth place in League Two. "Marvellous, absolutely marvellous. I thought we were excellent today and I'm really, really pleased for the team and the travelling supporters. As a manager you talk to the players and ask them to trust you and that winning behaviour over 95 minutes is creeping in which is a good sign".
Goals ten minutes into each half from skipper Anthony Charles and Peter Vincenti (both their fourth of the season) saw Shots go 2-0 up and as the game headed towards it's conclusion, they were cruising toward victory. However, Shots don't do comfortable wins and a fluke 83rd minute goal from Robins skipper Pook ensured a nervy finish to the match for all connected with the club.
Holdsworth made just one change to the starting eleven that beat Torquay in midweek, electing to give a full debut to 19 year old youth product Adam Mekki ahead of Lincoln loanee Albert Jarrett. The youngster most certainly grasped the opportunity with both hands, causing Cheltenham plenty of problems down their left flank from the off and giving his absolute all for 70 minutes, before leaving the pitch to a standing ovation from the 355 Shots fans present. Of Mekki, Holdsworth enthused afterwards - "he earn't his opportunity and when you've got pace and ability, you can hurt people".
Shots defended well as a team throughout the match and reduced the home side to mainly long range efforts. Indeed, keeper Jamie Young didn't have a save to make until the 83rd minute, when a deep cross from Robins skipper Michael Pook sailed over his head and dipped in to the far corner of his net. Young himself took a blow to the head as he crashed backwards into the post, but was able to continue and complete the match.
The late strike gave the home players and fans some hope and in fairness, they gave it a real go, forcing three corners during the five minutes added time, but Shots defended well to the end and hung on to take their tally to a superb seven points in seven days.
Shots: Young 6, Herd 7, Jones 7, Charles 8, Straker 6, Mekki 7, (McGlashan) Halls 6, Guttridge 8, Hylton 6, (Morris)Vincenti 8, Sills 6 (Medley). Att: 2697 (including 355 Shots fans)