Shots started with the favoured 5-3-2 formation, with Peters on loan from Orient, making his debut in the centre of defence. Shots started the game in the ascendancy and after 5 minutes Dixon crossed for McLean but his shot was wide of the target. Shortly after, a great delivery by Barnard from a free kick, somehow evaded a number of Shots attackers in the area.
The game then descended into a bit of a battle, not helped by over officious refereeing by Mr Deadman who produced his yellow card on no fewer than 6 occasions in a 20 minute spell. Canvey’s only attempt of the half came after 35 minutes when Chris Giles slipped and let in Duffy, but his curled effort didn’t trouble Bully and went well wide.
Terry Brown changed the formation to 4-4-2 and brought on debutant Dwayne Clarke for Hugh McAuley at half time and not for the first time this season, the substitute had an immediate impact on the game. With his first touch the impressive Clarke slid a ball through for Dixon to chase and Potter in the Canvey goal decided to tackle him, instead of putting his body on the line – it turned out to be a fatal decision as Dixon won the challenge and coolly slid the ball into an empty net.
Shortly after, Challinor cut in and his shot was well smothered by Potter. On 51 minutes McLean’s slide rule pass found Crittenden in the clear, but he drilled his shot inches wide of the far post. Shots were now totally dominating the play and Crittenden was again put through on goal, but this time his fierce drive was kept out by Potter’s legs.
After 65 minutes the pressure paid off when Dwayne Clarke was again the provider. Following a fine run across the pitch, he crossed into the danger area where Dixon looked to have been brought down, but it didn’t make any difference as the loose ball fell to McLean who hammered home from 12 yards out.
On a rare Canvey break Minton hit an effort from 25 yards out just wide. Then a flowing Shots move involving McLean and Dixon ended with a Crittenden shot which was well blocked by a defender.
On 76 minutes McLean turned well and hit a half volley just wide. A minute later Dixon flicked on for Crittenden, who found himself with yet another opportunity but it wasn’t to be his day as yet again his shot flew just past the far post.
The killer blow came after 79 minutes and what a screamer it was - from the impressive Dixon whose dipping effort from 20 yards flew into the top corner past the helpless Potter. He almost completed his hat-trick shortly after, when after good work from Challinor, he superbly turned his marker and only a brilliant save from Potter denied him.
With only minutes remaining, Dixon was replaced by Sills – and he got a deserved standing ovation from the home crowd. There was still enough time for the Shots to complete the rout when Crittenden turned the ball back from the by-line for McLean to side foot his effort past Potter into the corner of the net.
Aldershot: Bull, Crittenden, Barnard, Johnson, Giles, Peters (Antwi 58), Watson, Challinor, McAuley (Clarke 45), McLean, Dixon (Sills 87).
Subs Not Used: Lauder-Dyke, Smith.
Booked: Watson, Giles, Peters, Challinor.
Goals: Jonny Dixon 46, McLean 65, Jonny Dixon 79, McLean 90.
Canvey Island: Potter, Cowan, Smith (Chenery 77), Sterling, Duffy, Minton, Sedgemore (Goodwin 71), Gregory, Berquez (Hallett 65), Keeling, Joseph.
Subs Not Used: Harrison, McGhee.
Booked: Sterling, Smith, Joseph.
Att: 2,600