Gravesend looked to be utilising their usual physical game and it took a massive one minute before Justin Skinner upend Adam Miller to produce the first free kick of the match. Two minutes later and it was Steve McKimm who gained the honour of being the first name in the referee’s book as he brought down Jon Challinor. Seconds later Jay Saunders was booked for unsporting behaviour and it appeared that it was only a matter of time before one of the Fleet’s players would be receiving an early bath.
The first real chance of the match came on nine minutes when Roy Essandoh shot from the right hand edge of the area but Nikki Bull well positioned and easily saved the shot. It was almost as if Gravesend had heard that our problem area was on the left as two minutes later Moussa Sidibe tried a shot from six yards out but again Nikki Bull had read the danger well and caught hold of the resulting effort.
On fifteen minutes Jimmy Jackson continued to show why Gravesend had scored so many goals this season when he unleashed a ferocious shot from twenty-five yards out which Nikki Bull was only able to parry out for a corner.
Despite all this pressure the Shots were trying to create chances of their own and Darren Barnard was causing all sorts of problems with crosses into the area. On twenty-one minutes, Aaron McLean committed the Shots first foul of the game when he brought down Jimmy Jackson. Not wanting to be outdone, Justin Skinner became the second player to make the referee’s book when after he brought down Philip Warner. It didn’t take Warner long to get his own back when three minutes later he took full advantage of bringing Skinner down to show that the Shots were no pussy cats.
On twenty-six minutes former Shot Lee Protheroe forced a save from Nikki Bull with an effort from the edge of the box but apart from that, it was a game that was being controlled by both clubs midfields. Steve Watson – who was having perhaps his best game in a Shots shirt was breaking down and holding up many of Gravesend’s moves. He was upended on thirty-one minutes by Moussa Sidibe - who was the third player to be booked. Darren Barnard became the fourth player – Aldershot’s first name in the book when he brought down Moussa Sidible in a dangerous position. Justin Skinner was only able to send the resulting free kick out of play and the Shots had successfully repelled another attack.
The second half saw the midfield battle continue but on fifty-one minutes Gravesend paid the price for playing their physical game. A rare Shots attack saw Aaron McLean brought down by Jay Saunders. The referee viewed it as a professional foul and Saunders made his way to the changing rooms.
Gravesend continued to hold strong though and the Shots had to be patient with their extra man advantage but three minutes into added time they paid the price for all of the stoppages. Andy Drury brought down Hugh McAuley on the right. Darren Barnard floated in his free kick which was met by Tim Sills’ head and it flew into the back of the Gravesend net.
Three minutes later on ninety-six minutes the final whistle blew and the Shots had gained another vital three points without being overly impressive.
Attendance: 2886.
SHOTS: Bull, Warner, Barnard, Johnson, Warburton, Giles, McAuley, Miller, Challinor, Watson, McLean
Subs: Barnard, Sills, Jinadu, Crittenden, Short
Gravesend: Wilkerson, Protheroe, Saunders, Moore, Skinner, Sidibe, McKimm, Surey, Jackson, Omoyinmi, Essandoh
Subs: Mitten, Shearer, Drury, Pinnock, Gledhill
Match Verdict.
Better in the entertainment stakes but far from comfortable as a supporter.
6/10 – Not the best – but workman like and effective.
Shots Mad Man of the Match.
Tough. Darren Barnard and Steve Watson both had great games so it’s a joint award this time.
Shots Mad Panda Pops Award.