Aldershot Town FC

Football: Shots hit for six

By Graham Brookland
December 14, 2009

Coca-Cola League 2

Burton Albion 6 Aldershot Town 1

THERE was plenty of nostalgia amongst Aldershot Town supporters as they made their way to the Pirelli Stadium, reflecting on the achievement of reaching 1000 competitive matches.

Famous encounters, favourite moments, all the controversies. The golden periods of a 17-year marathon journey that, rightly, deserved commemorating. It is a remarkable story that has seen a football club born again, climb through six divisions to stabilise itself in the Football League.

By close of play on Saturday, however, another statistic came into the mix as the club conceded six goals in league action for the first time in its short history.

Football is an unpredictable business and few could have seen this one coming. Kevin Dillon’s side, while disappointed to make an exit from the FA Cup in midweek, entered this match on the back of a three-game winning league run including an outstanding 5-2 success at high riding Dagenham & Redbridge. Burton had been defeated in three of their previous four matches.

Aldershot also had an impressive record against the Staffordshire club, having only previously been defeated once in 10 attempts during the Conference 'era'.

Statistics, however, count for nothing in football and, as unlikely the outcome was, Aldershot were comprehensively beaten in a match they will quickly be drawing a line under.

Dillon had intimated in the build-up that there would be changes to the starting line up, although his hand was somewhat forced with the withdrawal of defender Andy Sandell due to personal issues, while Marvin Morgan was ruled out with a knee injury. Central midfielders Ben Harding and John Halls both returned for their first start since September.

There was nothing to suggest the drama that was to evolve in the early stages. Dillon’s side were sprightly and should have taken the lead almost immediately as Oliver Bozanic threaded the ball into the path of Bristol City loanee Marlon Jackson. With only Artur Krysiak to beat in the Albion goal the final shot was tame and too direct at the Polish goalkeeper.

Following the legend that is Nigel Clough at Burton seemed an impossible task but new boss Paul Peschisolido appears to be thriving in his new position and has become an instant hit with the Princess Way crowd. He has conjured up a hard working and committed side too. They are strong in the centre of midfield and this was where the battle needed to be won and they have the ability to involve their front players quickly to create opportunities.

Although looking the likelier of the two teams to open the scoring the glut of goals that followed in the final 15 minutes of the first half came as a major surprise.

There was a stroke of luck about the first goal on the half hour though. Chris Blackburn was deemed to handle the ball inside the penalty box. His arm was raised and there was little complaint from the central defender as referee Andy Haines pointed to the spot. The fact that he had waived a similar appeal earlier in the match when the ball struck Ben Herd may have been in his mind. Greg Pearson, top scorer in the Conference championship side, stepped up to open the scoring.

The usual rigidity that has been so apparent in Dillon’s opening month at the helm was missing in this match and his side paid heavily for it. Pearson added a second as Brentford loanee Steve Kabba opened up the heart of the visiting defence to allow the 24-year-old to compose himself before rifling the ball into the bottom far corner.

If Aldershot were to have any say in this match it was imperative that they did not concede further in the remaining five minutes of the first half. They could not keep their side of the bargain once, but twice.

Pearson took full advantage of Anthony Charles’ slip a full 30 yards from goal. The goal opened up for him; an excellent strike was well forced away by Mikhael Jaimez Ruiz but, as it often does when you are up against it, fortune did not favour the visitors and the ball crashed off Kabba and trickled into the net. Pearson did net a first half hat-trick though when, in injury time, he added to the woes of the travelling fans by heading home from close range diverting Tony James effort into the net.

It was a damage limitations exercise after the break, although Aldershot did enjoy a healthy period of possession where they could have taken full advantage. Substitute John Grant did reduce the arrears on 66 minutes with a neat header from 12 yards from Herd’s right boot. It posed uncertainty in the home ranks. Chances were created. Blackburn struck the post with a thunderous volley and Krysiak made a point blank save from another Grant header. If either of those opportunities had counted it would have conjured up an interesting finale.

Kabba wrapped the game up with a tap in after the impressive Keith Gilroy broke on the right. Anthony Charles was then dismissed after being deemed the last man as he prevented Jacques Mahoma’s route on goal. It was a decision that angered Dillon after the match. Shaun Harrad’s late addition just added to the woes. The final whistle could not come soon enough.

It was a fact noted by the boss afterwards as he said: “We started off really well but didn’t make the most of the early play. At the end of it this was a poor performance. We didn’t get going in the way that I would expect and the goals were our own mistakes and it was disappointing.

“We had to organise at half-time and gave it a go in the early stages of the second half but it was a heavy defeat in the end. I wasn’t impressed with the referee’s display but that is not to take anything away from Burton who deserved the victory.

“It is one defeat and we plan our fixtures in six match cycles and we are currently ahead of schedule in our current cycle. We have to draw a line under this match now and move on to the Bradford City match next Saturday."

Burton Albion: Krysiak, Boertien, Webster, James, McGrath, Stride, Gilroy (Maghoma 75), Penn, Pearson (Harrad 77), Kabba Jackson Unused: Poole, Simpson, Walker, Phillips, Branston.

Aldershot Town: Jaimez-Ruiz, Herd, Straker, Donnelly, Blackburn, Charles, Soares, Harding, Halls, Jackson, Bozanic Not Used: Masters, Hinshelwood, Chalmers, Grant, Hylton, Winfield. Booked: Blackburn. Sent Off: Charles.

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