Local rivalry resumes

Aldershot Town v Woking
3pm on Monday 26 August 2013

A big crowd is expected at the Rec tomorrow afternoon for this eagerly-awaited local derby as the Shots and the Cards do battle again for the first time since the 2007-08 season. Both sides had disappointing results on Saturday and will be eager to make amends with three points from this encounter.

WOKING

The Cards had a dreadful Saturday afternoon against Welling United, conceding three goals in the first 30 minutes through poor defending, including an own goal from keeper Aaron Howe. To make matters worse, they then had their third player sent off in four games. Although some people will think Jack Parkinson was ‘hard done by’ to pick up two yellow cards, both his offences were ‘bookable’ and Garry Hill was not making any excuses on his behalf. So, he will be missing too tomorrow, along with Gez Sole and Josh Payne, serving their third and second phases respectively of their ‘straight reds’. Josh Payne will no doubt be particularly sorry to miss a return to the Rec.

George Bowerman made his debut up front for the Cards on Saturday but, perhaps not surprisingly, made little impression in his first run-out, with substitute, central defender Joe McNerney, showing some excellent control and nice touches in addition to his physical presence, still looking our most potent threat up front.

What’s needed, above all, is a disciplined performance tomorrow and the team will have to work a lot harder than they did in the first half hour against Welling.

ALDERSHOT TOWN

It’s been a traumatic 12 months for Shots supporters as they saw the club relegated and enter into administration. The club has now been sold to a consortium led by former Woking chairman Shahid Azeem, with supporters contributing some £85k to help the club survive. A key part of the future budget was a deal that allows Chelsea to play reserve and Academy games at the Rec for two years.

As you would expect, there has been a huge turnover in playing staff, with some 20 players being released or signing for other clubs in the summer. Those remaining are captain Craig Stanley, Adam Mekki, Jordan Roberts, Bobby Webbe and keeper Glenn Morris. Manager Andy Scott moved swiftly once the club came out of administration to bring in a mix of experienced hands and young players on loan from League clubs. In the former category are ex-Shot Mark Molesley, former QPR midfielder Martin Rowlands and Joe Oastler, a defender/midfielder with over 120 appearances for Torquay on his CV. The latter category includes Jake Goodman, a 20 year-old centre back from Millwall, Adam Webster, an 18 year-old defender from Portsmouth, who has been capped at England U19 level, and Manny Oyeleke, a defender/midfielder from Brentford. Up front, recruits include Brett Williams, on loan to Woking last season from Reading, and Matt Paterson, a 6’ 2� striker from Burton Albion.

The latest addition is the loan signing from Portsmouth of 18 year-old striker/winger Jack Maloney, who made 10 appearances for Pompey last season.

The Shots started the season with a 10-point deduction but have already reduced that deficit by four points, with a commendable opening day 1-1 draw at Grimsby Town and a surprisingly comprehensive 3-0 home win over Dartford. That was followed, though, by a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Cambridge United and they will have been disappointed to have come away empty-handed from Salisbury City on Saturday, who had previously not picked up a point.

Injuries will definitely rule out Adam Mekki and possibly Anthony Tonkin and Matt Paterson.

GETTING THERE

Aldershot Town Football Club
EBB Stadium
High Street
Aldershot
Hants
GU11 1TW

By coach

The Cards Trust coach is fully booked.

By car

Head for Aldershot town centre. The ground is just by the railway bridge. The club’s website advises parking in the town centre ‘pay and display’ car parks, about a five-minute walk from the ground.

By train

Unfortunately, train services are disrupted tomorrow, necessitating a bus journey either from Guildford or from Farnborough Main stations. Trains from Woking to Guildford run at 13.13 and 13.43, with arrivals at Aldershot by bus at 14.06 and 14.36 respectively. Trains to Farnborough leave at 13.35 and 13.49 with arrivals at Aldershot by bus at 14.10 and 14.40. Returning, there is a bus at 14.57 to Farnborough Main and a bus at 17.11 to Guildford.

The ground is only a few minutes’ walk, down the hill, from the train station.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adult – Seating - £19; Standing - £17
Concession (Over 65, Military personnel ID required, Student 16-21 ID required) – Seating - £15; Standing - £13
Junior – Seating - £7; Standing - £5
Under 6’s – FREE

LAST TIME OUT

The Shots and the Cards last met – three times in the space of as many weeks – in the 2007-08 season in the Conference Premier. The Shots came out on top in all three games as they showed the class that eventually won them the title. On Boxing Day, in front of a crowd of over 4,300 at Kingfield, Kirk Hudson scored late in the game to record a 1-0 win. On New Year’s Day at the Rec Hudson opened the scoring, with Ricky Newman soon adding a second. The Cards pulled a goal back after the break with a penalty but the game ended 2-1 in favour of the home side. Just over a week later the two sides met in the FA Trophy at Kingfield. Louis Soares gave the Shots the lead in the 11th minute but debutant Jason Norville equalised four minutes later. The Cards looked well worth their 2-1 advantage as the rampaging Marvin Morgan scored just after the break but then calamitous defensive errors in the final 20 minutes saw Woking throw the tie away, as Anthony Charles equalised and then John Grant added two more, including a penalty.

NEXT GAME

The Cards are at home to Gateshead next Saturday. Make sure the date is in your diary!


Come on, you Cards!