Aldershot Town FC

Shots captan Herd seeks Dons deja vu

By Jon Couch
November 15, 2012

CAPTAIN Ben Herd is hoping that history will repeat itself and steer Aldershot Town's season back on track.

Last season, the Shots made the short trip to AFC Wimbledon without a win – or indeed a goal – in six matches, only for two rare strikes from left-back Anthony Straker to seal a 2-1 win and spark a club record six-game winning run.

And it's a similar tale this time round with the Shots heading for Kingsmeadow on Saturday on the back on just one win in their ten league matches – a run which has seen them sink to the foot of the League Two table.

Herd, however, insists those who played their part in that resilient display back in January can take a lot of confidence from last year’s turnaround and is backing the new crop to repeat the feat in much the same vain, while also handing boss Dean Holdsworth a much-needed fillip of three precious points against the club in which he starred as a player.

“Hopefully history can repeat itself and there will be a bit of deja vu on Saturday,” the skipper said. “It’s not going to come easy though, it’ll be a tough game as it always is. It’s a local derby and it means a lot to us to give our fans something to sing about and bring a feel good factor around the place.

“Last season it was the fundamentals of effort, determination and workrate that helped us turn things round there and we need that again on Saturday.”

Despite being a Wimbledon legend, Holdsworth admits he is not expecting a warm reception from the home supporters after a brief foray with big rivals MK Dons later in his career.

But the Shots boss reckons the historic FA Cup tie between the two Dons’ on December 1 may overshadow his return.

“The two teams meeting in the cup is an ironic situation, and one which will probably never happen again,” he said. “I had a fantastic time at Wimbledon and will always have an affinity with the club.

"I'll probably get a bit of stick as I usually do when I go back, but it's not about me, this is a big game for us, they all are now. I know we have the players with fighting abilities and character to see us through.”

* AFC Wimbledon have confirmed the match is no longer all-ticket affair so tickets are available at the gate, priced at £15 adults, £9 concessions and £4 for under 16s.

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