Aldershot Town FC

Football: Super Shots stun Hammers

By Graham Brookland and Charlie Oliver
August 25, 2011

Carling Cup 1st Round

West Ham United 1 Aldershot Town 2

LONDON lad Danny Hylton was Aldershot's hero in a stunning victory in the East End.

Hylton, who is originally from north London, drove home a glorious winner in the 89th minute, as the Shots came from behind to dump out the Hammers in their own back yard. Luke Guttridge had equalised on 78 minutes.

It was 19 years ago this week that Aldershot Town started their long journey through the football pyramid, embarking on an Isthmian League Division 3 encounter at home to Clapton. Ironically they also succumbed to their first ever league defeat at the East London club's Old Spotted Dog ground a few months later.

Roll the clock forward to 2011 and just six miles up the road from that traditional old venue the club enjoyed its most magical evening at the 'Academy of Football' as Dean Holdsworth’s young side matched their formidable Championship opponents all the way and fully deserved their shock victory. In terms of results this was, without doubt, the greatest achievement in the short history of a club that always has a tale to tell.

Granted, the Shots, trailing at the break to a Junior Stanislas lovely curling finish, were helped by debutant Callum McNaughton's sending off early in the second half - for a foul on Hylton.

But this was a thoroughly deserved victory. Aldershot's character and determination was a joy to watch, especially as they had justification to feel hard done by in going behind, with Jamie Collins impeded before Stanislas scored.

Before then Ryan Taylor, the Reading loanee handed a first start by Holdsworth, had spurned a great chance to give the Shots an early lead, when Ruud Boffin blocked his shot.

Aldershot were far from overawed: Peter Vincenti and Danny Hylton were a menace, while the calm and composed presence of Darren Jones, alongside the recalled Aaron Morris, ensured that there was little joy for the likes of Norwegian international John Carew. When called on, Jamie Young was distinguished in goal.

They created chances, too. Jones guided a header just wide of the far post while Morris’ header was cleared off the line from another inch perfect croner delivery from Alex Rodman.

The match turned two minutes after the break when Hylton, becoming more authoritative as the match progressed, was hacked down on the edge of the penalty area by McNaughton. Referee Graham Scott instantly issued a red card. You felt for the teenager but it was the correct decision.

Aldershot took full advantage, too. Using the ball to full effect they made life difficult for their opponents. Collins, in his best performance so far for his new club, went close with a 20-yard freekick, while Hylton was again denied by a brave block from Winston Reid.

Holdsworth introduced more pace and presence into the attack with Jermaine McGlashan and Michael Rankine and they continued to chip away while the home faithful were becoming more impatient.

Then the goal the Shots deserved came. With 12 minutes remaining Rodman, decisive on the left flank, cut inside in that accomplished side step that he has preserved. His low shot was parried unconvincingly by Boffin and the ball fell to Guttridge who struck left-footed from close range to level matters. There was jubilation amongst the mass Aldershot following in the lower tier of the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand. Could it happen? Surely not!

The visitors bombarded the West Ham goal. Anthony Straker became a reliable source from the left. He set up an unmarked McGlashan at the far post but his header crept just over the bar.

It is a credit to Aldershot’s dominance that it came as no surprise when they did edge in front. That it was with just a minute of normal time remaining made it that much sweeter. Rodman was again heavily involved. He latched onto McGlashan’s byeline centre to set up Hylton who struck home with venom from 16 yards. The script was complete. The Shots were kings of the East End, West Ham's bubbles had been burst.

Holdsworth had predicted that the West Ham game could be the catalyst for his team to kick-start their season, after three straight defeats in League 2, where they have played nicely but lacked a cutting edge.

They must now use this fabulous fillip to hit the ground running in the league at Oxford on Saturday, with the Carling Cup 2nd Round clash against League 1 Carlisle United to come on Tuesday evening (August 30) at the Rec.

Carlisle will bring plenty of memories; the Shots lost on penalties to them in the Conference play-off semi-final in 2005 and the record Rec crowd was against Carlisle in 1970, when nearly 20,000 saw the old Shots lose an FA Cup replay.

For now, however, Holdsworth can reflect on what he described as his "best feeling as a manager", in which he also got one over his "mentor", 'Big Sam' Allardyce, manager of the Hammers - Holdsworth's boyhood team.

"Sam said many congratulations to me at the end and said that we had played really well in spells," Holdsworth said. "But, to be honest, he was more interested in talking to my family, who were all there."

Allardyce was less gracious in the official post-match press conference, saying that his side had simply lost because of McNaughton's dismissal.

That was not the case and Holdsworth was effusive in praising his players - and the hordes of Aldershot fans: "At times we played really, really well, against a good team."

Allardyce, still awaiting his first home victory since his summer arrival, named a squad that included 10 players that featured in the weekend draw at home to Leeds United. Seven internationals in the starting line-up and formidable names such as Carew and Kevin Nolan added to a near 20,000 attendance ensured that this was a big match - and not just for Aldershot.

"I am delighted for all the players, especially the two who scored," Holdsworth said. "And the fans were tremendous. We have made history for the club and it was a special time for the fans."

Above all, Holdsworth praised his players for keeping the faith: "The stats told me that we have playing well, just missing the vital ingredient of goals," he said. "The players kept the philosophy, kept our style and now we have won in the right way, against a very good team.

"The players showed the right desire and continued to believe in themselves and the quality has come through."

Not that Holdsworth will be getting carried away; the players were back training on Thursday morning, preparing for Oxford.

"We have won a great game of football but that it all," Holdsworth said. "We will be back working very hard again today. Now it's all about Oxford. We won't be taking them for granted - or Carlisle, for that matter."

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