Aldershot Town FC

Football: Shots draw comfort from first clean sheet

By Graham Brookland
November 02, 2009

Coca-Cola League 2

Rotherham United 0-0 Aldershot Town

THERE is no doubting that since arriving as the Aldershot caretaker management team Jason Dodd and Paul Williams had not been blessed with good fortune in either of the opening two matches.

A conglomerate of events including the loss of their goalkeeper and captain versus Bury followed by the dismissal of Dave Winfield at Shrewsbury Town would have provided a downbeat realisation from the most positive of personnel.

Credit then to the former Southampton pair for the way they responded in what was always going to be a difficult encounter at the Don Valley Stadium against a Rotherham United side that are undefeated in league action on their own turf.

After leaking six goals in the previous two matches boss Dodd had stated in the build-up that work on the training ground would be all about closing down and an implicit work rate to thwart the opponents when they have possession. The hard work certainly paid off as Aldershot collected their first clean sheet of the season.

Caretaker boss Dodd said: “We knew what to expect from them and we worked on it all week. It was important to get in their faces and stand up to the test. We knew if we did that they would get frustrated and that is exactly what happened.

"We have been working on units to ensure that there are not any gaps. It is pleasing to see things that we are working on pay dividends in a match situation.”

It was never a classic in the unique surroundings at Don Valley. The open arena, with only one main stand open added to an athletics track circling the perimeter of the pitch, ensures that it impossible to create an atmosphere expected for a Football League fixture.

Dodd was forced into making two changes with Marvin Morgan, not fully fit, being named on the bench as John Grant made his first start of the campaign. Anthony Charles slotted in nicely, replacing the suspended Winfield at the heart of the visiting defence.

Buoyed by the knowledge that victories were recorded in both the league and FA Cup at the Don Valley last season the visitors started with a spring in their step. Kirk Hudson and Grant combined nicely within the first minute with the latter’s final touch by-passing home keeper Andy Warrington but only to creep past the near post.

In truth there were few chances in either half but the dominance of Charles added to the presence of captain Adam Hinshelwood ensured that Aldershot never looked in any danger of conceding. A combative midfield allowed Lewis Chalmers more freedom while Scott Donnelly had a licence to play just behind Grant, whose work rate was immense.

Donnelly did threaten with a curling effort prior to the break while United striker Tom Pope glanced a near post header just over the bar from former Chester City midfielder Kevin Ellison’s corner. It was not enough to appease the home faithful as they showed their discontent at the half-time whistle.

Indeed Ellison always looked the most likely candidate to provide sparkle for the Millers, for whom 10-goal top-scorer Adam Le Fondre had an unusually quiet affair.

Solid throughout, the visitors continued an impressive workrate after the break but for all
their wide possession they rarely threatened through the centre.

Warrington, though, was the busier of the two goalkeepers. He was forced to tip over Hinshelwood’s header from a long range Donnelly centre while the former QPR midfielder himself came closest to adding to his already impressive six-goal tally as his 20-yard free-kick cannoned off the post with Warrington beaten.

United came close to snatching an undeserved victory when captain Ian Sharps’ header was excellently pushed away by Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz on the line.

When Morgan entered the arena for the final 10 minutes there was a murmur of concern from the Don Valley faithful who recalled the former Woking striker’s brace in the FA Cup last season. He nearly spoiled their day again within a minute of his introduction as Hudson played him in on the right.

Morgan’s first touch took him wide and his final effort lacked any potency. It was a great opportunity to send Dodd home with his first maximum return, although a point was greatly received.

The boss continued: “We said previously that the performances in our opening matches were good but developments in the match worked against us. Against a big Rotherham side who try to impose themselves we produced a solid overall performance throughout the team and the dressing room dictates that the players are disappointed not to have won the match.

"I cannot fault anybody for this performance. We never looked unsteady at any time in this match. If we continue to do this not only will we be positive going forward then we will become known as a difficult side to break down too - and that is what we want."

Rotherham United: Warrington, Tonge, Fenton, Sharps (captain), Nicholas, Warne, Mills, Harrison, Ellison, Pope (Broughton 85), Le Fondre Unused: Annerson, Green J Taylor, R Taylor, Brogan, Lynch.

Aldershot Town: Jaimez-Ruiz, Herd, Sandell, Donnelly, Hinshelwood, Charles, Soares, Chalmers, Grant (Morgan 79) Sandell, Hudson Not Used: Blackburn, Hylton, Hopkinson, Masters, German, Mekki. Booked: Grant.

Attendance: 3002 (212 from Aldershot)

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