William Bewsey
10:36am, Mon 25th Dec 2023
Aldershot Town v Woking
Vanarama National League
Tuesday 26th December 2023
15:00 Kick-Off
Woking travel to North East Hampshire to take on old foes Aldershot Town in the first of a derby double header.
Following Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Maidenhead, Michael Doyle will be hoping for his first win as Woking boss, and he will be looking towards the fitness of Paul Osew as a hopeful positive. The winger missed Saturday with injury, but as Doyle looks to change things up following just three days between games, he will have some thinking to do.
There could be no less than four ex Shots on the pitch for Woking, with Alfie Pavey, Jim Kellermann, Manny Oyeleke and Rhys Browne all available. One player still not ready yet is Jermaine Anderson; the former Shot was sent off in the last fixture between the sides.
Opposition Watch
After keeping Aldershot up by the skin of their teeth last season, Tommy Widdrington set out his plans for the Shots early last summer. Out went the likes of Tyler Cordner (to York), Justin Amaluzor (Altrincham) and captain Joe Partington (St Albans). In came a rather young group of players including an unknown attacking midfielder in Josh Stokes from AFC Sudbury, Lorent Tolaj, a Swiss striker released by Brighton, Cian Harries from Swindon and a few players from Widdrington’s former side King’s Lynn.
Of those players, Stokes has made by far the biggest impact, with 15 goals in all competitions already. Tolaj himself has 14 whilst Jack Barham has 11, making the Shots’ front three one of the deadliest in the division. This has seen them make the third round of the FA Cup after battering Swindon 7-4 on their own patch, before an equally impressive second round replay win at Stockport means they’ve got a trip to West Brom to look forward to.
Despite coming into this one with back-to-back losses, Aldershot sit ninth in the table having won 11, drawn three and lost ten, scoring 42 but conceding 45. They’ve picked up 24 points from their 12 home games, only losing twice, and only Chesterfield have scored more at home than the Shots.
Last Time Out
Woking fans won’t need reminding of this one. A stunning performance in front of a sell out home crowd saw the Cards run out as 4-1 winners on New Year’s Day after goals from Rhys Browne, Jim Kellermann and Padraig Amond. This would see the Cards complete the double over their neighbours after goals from Browne and a Corey Jordan OG saw Woking run out 2-1 winners at the EBB on Boxing Day.
Interesting to note that the last four fixtures between the sides have seen three red cards and seven penalties awarded.
Around the Ground
Tickets are available
here.
Please note, tickets will not be available on the door.
