Goals at the end of each half from Justin Amaluzor and Ryan Glover secured a 2-0 win for The Shots last weekend, Wanderers run of games without a league win extended to four and further to results elsewhere in the division from midweek, Marc White’s side are now just one place and two points off the relegation places.
Despite the disappointment of the defeat, it was a positive afternoon in regards to player’s new and old coming into the side, with brand new signing’s George Francomb and Jason Prior going straight into the starting line up, and Josh Taylor and Matt Briggs both returning to the matchday squad from injury, the duo coming off the bench in the second half of the game.
At the 5th Round stage of the FA Trophy for the first time in their history, Wanderers will be looking to the Cup and the prospect of a quarter-final place to help re-build confidence and get back into the winning habit, the incentive to push on in this year’s competition heightened by the likes of National League promotion favourites Notts County and Wrexham bowing out of the competition already, alongside the likes of Chesterfield, Woking and last year’s winners Bromley.
After getting past Yeovil Town on penalties at the 3rd round stage back in December, Wanderers booked their place in the last 16 with a 3-2 victory over National League North side Kidderminster Harriers on January 14th at Meadowbank. Harry Ottaway’s 4th minute opener was cancelled out not long afterwards by a stunning free kick from midfielder Zak Brown, but Ryan Seager’s clinical brace through the remainder of the half had Wanderers 3-1 up at the interval, Amari Morgan-Smith pulling another goal back for the visitors with virtually the last kick of the game.
Team News
Marc White confirmed in his weekly update broadcast on Friday afternoon that Ed Harris will remain side-lined with the injury sustained in training last week, and whilst Joe Cook will return from his one-match ban and be available for selection this weekend, James McShane is suspended having collected five yellow cards. Jason Prior will also be missing for Wanderers as he is cup-tied.
Opposition Focus: The Shots
Aldershot’s defeat of Wanderers last Saturday got the club back to winning ways following a hectic January which saw the Hampshire side play 9 games in all, Ross McNeilly’s team ending the stack of games with a 0-1 home loss to Boreham Wood. The month had been largely positive though, with away wins against Solihull Moors and Maidstone United falling either side of draws at Bromley and at home to in-form Oldham Athletic, the run of form and win last weekend propelling The Shots up to 13th in the National League table on 37 points.
Overcoming National League South side Welling United 3-0 at home in the 3rd Round, Aldershot booked their place in the 5th round of the FA Trophy with a 4-1 home defeat of Southern League Premier Division Central side Leiston FC in the last round, the opening goal scored by Harry Panayiotou, before Ryan Glover and Inih Effiong’s brace secured The Shots progress, the duo both having got on the score-sheet in the previous round as well against Welling. Whilst the 5th round is new territory for Wanderers, Aldershot have got as far as the semi-finals in previous years, getting to that pnenultimate stage of the comeptition in the 2003/04 and 2007/08 seasons.
The headline news for The Shots in the past seven days has been the sale of top striker Inih Effiong to fellow National League Prem side Dagenham & Redbridge for an undisclosed fee. With 14 goals so far this term the forward will no doubt be a big loss, but one positive for the club this past week has been key defender Tyler Cordner signing a contract extension.
Player’s very recently added to Ross McNeilly’s squad did feature last weekend, with versatile defender Haji Mnoga, on loan from Portsmouth since January, starting the game at right back and midfielder Tyler Frost, signed just 24 hours before Saturday’s game following his release from Harrogate Town, coming off the bench during the first half to replace the injured Corey Jordan. With Inih Effiong leaving, strikers Jake Hutchinson and Morgan Roberts, on loan from Colchester United and Swindon Town respectively, may play a part this weekend.
Key Matchday Information
TICKETS: https://www.flowte.me/storefront/aldershot-town-fc-736
PRICES: Adults £15 / Concessions/Military/18-20s £13 / U17s £5
Only available online, not at the turnstiles
CAR PARKING IN VICTORIA ROAD: https://www.flowte.me/storefront/aldershot-town-fc-736 (two minutes walk from the ground)
Please note the Wanderers supporters coach is not running this weekend. In addition to nearby car parking, The Ebb Stadium is a 10 minute walk from Aldershot train station and bus station.
Matchday Programme: £3 (physical copies only, available at ground)
Away Matchday Information
Around The Wanderers This Weekend
The Wanderers Ladies thumped Enfield Town 10-0 last Sunday afternoon at Meadowbank to book their place in the League Cup quarter-finals, and the competition quickly continues with the tie being played this Sunday, a 3:30pm kick off again at Meadowbank as Fulham make the visit down from West London.
Ruben Gaspar’s B team are looking to continue their unbeaten form in 2023, following up last weekend’s 1-1 draw at home to Mile Oak with a visit down to Selsey FC this Saturday, a 3pm kick off at the Seal Bay Stadium in the Southern Combination Division One.
The latest episode of the club’s official podcast, Talking Wanderers, launched on Friday with very special guest, Marc White! The Wanderers chairman and manager spoke to hosts James Lampard and Gary Pascoe about a range of topics, including club history, the season so far and future plans for the football club on and off the field, as well as answering supporters questions.
Talking Wanderers is available via Apple, Google, Spotify and the DWFC App, and also available for viewing over on the club’s official YouTube channel, @DWTV1999.
To watch the latest Episode, click here:
