ALDERSHOT head north to tackle League Two’s most porous defence on Saturday — almost certainly with a new strike force.

Rob Elvins and Danny Hylton finished last weekend’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Bury up front together, but they have just one Football League start between them this season.
 
That was for Hylton in that Bury game but, after he netted the dramatic equaliser, and Elvins scored and made Aldershot’s first two goals as a substitute, they look set to lead The Shots’ attack at Macclesfield on Saturday.

Marvin Morgan, 25, has started every league game to date this season and John Grant, 27, did likewise, until he was dropped in favour of Hylton last Saturday.

Manager Gary Waddock also has the experienced Junior Mendes, aged 32, back fit.

But while Waddock’s selections are not always easy to predict, he gave a very strong indication that he will reward youngsters Elvins, 22, and Hylton, who does not turn 20 until February.

“I have plenty of forwards to choose from but is Saturday’s selection a conundrum? No, not really,” said Waddock.

“I already know what I am going to do. If players do well in the team, then they will stay there, it’s a simple as that.

“Both Danny and Rob have had to be really patient and they both did well against Bury.

“I’ve said all along that they will get their opportunity and when it comes along, they must take it. Danny got a good goal and Rob made the difference when he came on. I was pleased for him, he’s a good player and a really nice guy. But now it is up to them to continue to do well.”

Waddock’s team selection for the Hampshire Cup tie away to Alresford Town on Tuesday evening gave another broad hint as to his intentions.

This was officially down as a reserve team fixture but Morgan, Grant and Mendes all found themselves turning out in the cold.

Elvins and Hylton, on the other hand, were handed the boost of a night off. It was no surprise that Mendes, who has struggled all season with injuries, played, but Morgan and Grant cannot have envisaged a few weeks ago that they would be involved in such a game.

To be fair, however, goals from Grant and Morgan (2) saw yet another dramatic comeback for The Shots, who recovered from 2-0 down against their lowly opponents to go through to the next round with a 3-2 win.

“The guys wanted to play,” said Waddock. “The idea was to get minutes under their belts and that Marvin and Granty both scored in a good comeback should help with their confidence.”

Waddock was not there to see the match, as he chose to watch Luton Town host Brentford in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Brentford are Aldershot’s next home opponents (Saturday October 18), one of six League Two matches in a three-week period, starting with the trip to Cheshire tomorrow.

“It’s a very busy period coming up,” said Waddock. “We will need all the 15 players we have!”

Waddock was only able to name four substitutes last week against Bury, such was his crisis of personel, but at least a few bodies are set to return to the squad on Saturday.

Ricky Newman, who also played against Alresford, is available after a three-match ban and Nikki Bull was due to return to training today (Thursday) after being ill since the morning of the Bury match.

While Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz made some good saves on his Football League debut, his overall performance was a nervous one and Bull will come straight back into the side, assuming that he is recovered.

Junior Osborne may also return from a knee injury, although Waddock cautioned that he is anxious ‘not to push Junior’ back too soon.

“To be honest, we’ll have to wait until Thursday’s training and then we’ll get a better idea of who is available,” he said.

Several defenders are, however, definitely out: Rhys Day, Dave Winfield and Anthony Straker.

For much of the game, Aldershot’s midfield played second fiddle to Bury and Waddock must try again at Moss Rose to find the best combination from his talented pool.

Ben Harding showed in the second half that he is far more effective in the middle than wide on the left and Waddock agrees that Harding’s best position is in the middle.

“The centre is definitely where Ben is best,” said Waddock. “But we have a number of really talented players who will play out of position for the cause.”

Nonetheless, Harding will probably return to the middle. Scott Davies may be the one who takes up a wide role on this occasion.

Macclesfield may have the worse defence in the league but they also have three league wins to their name this season, just one fewer than The Shots. They have also beaten Championship side Blackpool in the League Cup and took Premiership West Ham to extra-time in the next round.

The Silkmen are yet to draw a league game and, despite a disastrous start, which included a 6-0 home defeat to Darlington, they then won three times in a row, away to Port Vale and AFC Bournemouth and home to Luton Town.

That they were thrashed 4-1 at home by Exeter City in their last home game and lost 1-0 at Brentford last week, still makes them unpredictable opponents for The Shots, who have not picked up a point away from home since the opening day.

“Macclesfield are a young side, like us, and are very enthusiastic and will go out and play,” said Waddock.

“In Keith Alexander they have a good manager, who knows this league very well.”

Aldershot are better off than Macclesfield by five points but they too have let in plenty of goals and have not kept a clean sheet for more than two months.

“Of course we would like a clean sheet. But it’s the same as last season,” said Waddock. “We are attack-minded and that means we get caught on occasions. It’s been that way for the last 14 months.”

Former soldier Simon Yeo is likely to be Macclesfield’s chief threat up front, while in midfield, The Silkmen have the silky skills of Terry Dunfield. Brawn may come from John Rooney, brother of Wayne, who may make the bench, while, as for brain, there is always the keeper: Jonny Brain.

Aldershot will be hoping that he won’t be grinning like a Cheshire Cat come 5pm.