The Scarborough attack had other ideas though. Minutes later, the team who did the double over the Shots last season were looking for a way back in to it when Kevin Townson smacked the ball towards the Aldershot net from the centre of the penalty area – only to see his shot blocked by a well positioned Brett Johnson. Nikki Bull remained calm at the back of the Shots line up and Steve Watson and Ray Warburton were commanding what turned out to be a first-half dominated by a confident looking team. Aaron McLean caused problems and things were looking bright on 34 minutes when Adam Miller doubled the Shots lead when he drilled home a shot from just outside the area. The Shots continued to dominate for the remainder of the first half but there were nothing more than half chances to talk about – which to be fair would have been put away if the team were on form.
Both sides were forced to make a change a piece after the break and it was Scarborough who began to look the more threatening and on 50 minutes Chris Senior was in the right place at the right time when he scored with a left footed low strike from the edge of the area. The Shots looked surprised and a minute later they were speechless when Senior was to break Aldershot hearts when he unlocked the defence from the middle of the penalty area with a great right footed effort which gave Nikki Bull no chance.
With two goals in quick succession – you could have been forgiven in thinking that the flood gates would open and the team would crumble – but the team seemed to get stronger and once again we were witness to another workman-like performance from all areas of he pitch.
The final minutes were dominated by Scarborough attacks as they streamed forwards in search of stealing the points – but Aldershot stuck to their game plan and Hugh McAuley and Ray Warburton all made some great blocks to prevent the club returning home with nothing and at the final whistle it was a case of a point gained more than a two points lost.
Attendance: 1622.
Scarborough: Keen, Hotte, Cryan, Foot, Baker, Thompson, Kerr, Redfearn, Nicholson, Hackworth, Townson
Subs: Foster, Pounder, Burton, Senior, Horrigan
SHOTS: Bull, Giles, Johnson, Warburton, Warner, McAuley, Watson, Barnard, Challinor, Miller, McLean
Subs: Jinadu, D'Sane, Antwi, Crittenden, Barnard
Match Verdict.
Getting better – can’t wait until we’re on form!
7/10 – much better.
Shots Mad Man of the Match.
Nikki Bull. Made some great saves which helped keep the Shots in it
Shots Mad Panda Pops Award.