FA Cup 1st Round replay

Rotherham United 0 Aldershot Town 3

Talk about making a mockery of what has gone before.

After eight straight defeats on the road Aldershot produced what is next to no exaggeration to call the perfect away performance.

Forget travel sickness. On this evidence, Aldershot are fit and flying; while this may have been a replay, it was a new and innovative display that bodes well for the future.

And now, thanks to this night of FA Cup magic, it’s a case of from the Don to the Den, as Gary Waddock prepares to take his side to one of his former clubs, League One Millwall, in the Second Round next weekend (Saturday, November 29, 3pm kick-off).

Of course Aldershot must build on this superb performance, starting at Chester in League Two tomorrow. To come away from the Deva Stadium with nothing, on the back of as good a display as this, will have Waddock tearing our his ginger locks.

But, for now, forget the future, as this win deserves high, lingering praise.

It was The Shots’ most consummate away victory – or home win, for that matter – since thrashing Salisbury City 4-0 nearly a year ago in the Conference.

Given that Rotherham have overturned a –17 points deficit with ease in League Two and beaten five teams from higher leagues in cup competitions already this season, then this must rank as not just Aldershot’s best performance of the season but possibly under Waddock’s tenure.
 
After weathering an early squall from Rotherham, Kirk Hudson thumped The Shots ahead on the break and from there Waddock’s side never looked back.

Talking of back, Aldershot’s defence was superb, nullifying Rotherham before calmly building attacks. Captain Rhys Day has made a huge difference since his return to the side and, with Chris Blackburn fit to come in at right back, this was Aldershot’s best defensive quartet: Blackburn, Day and the two Anthonys — Charles and Straker.

Nikki Bull is looking increasingly confident and steady in goal — not that he had an awful lot to do, on his way to a third clean sheet in five games.

But it was the manner in which The Shots’ midfield and attack passed and moved the ball that was most impressive.

Once they went ahead, Aldershot’s confidence grew as quickly as Rotherham’s flooded away and the passing was beautiful in its crisp simplicity, especially in the second half, when Marvin Morgan and Hudson rounded off flowing moves with further goals.

Before that, Aldershot had bided their time and made sure they did not let slip their early lead, in a professional and composed display that showed they have learnt the lessons from the recent debacles at the likes of Macclesfield Town and Chesterfield.

No wonder Waddock was so pleased at the end. “It’s a fantastic result and performance,” he said.

“It was very disciplined, composed and professional. Our passing options were good and our play was simple and effective. We took our chances but, to be honest, we had more besides. It was one hell of a performance.”

There was good news for Aldershot even before the kick-off, with Rotherham ‘keeper Andy Warrington ruled out through injury. But for Warrington’s agility at The Rec, there might have been no need for this replay in the first place.

That said, Rotherham, especially Reuben Reid, who unsettled Straker, started the game well and The Millers forced a succession of corners in the first ten minutes. Richie Barker headed over and Bull smothered a shot by Reid.

But, in virtually their first sortie from their own half, Hudson pounced on an error from Pablo Mills, accelerated into the area past Andy Nicholas and rifled a cross-shot high into the corner. It was reminiscent of Michael Owen’s famous goal for England against Argentina in the World Cup in 1998 and worthy of a higher stage, rather than a near deserted Don Valley Stadium, that was, at least, lit up by the magnificent noise of Aldershot’s travelling support.

“We weathered the early storm — if you can call it that — and then it was nice to get an early goal,” said Waddock.

“It settled the nerves, put pressure on Rotherham and we grew in confidence and could catch them on the counter attack.”

Morgan nearly added an instant second, curling a shot inches wide, and then Hudson broke from a Rotherham corner and fed Soares, whose shot was saved by debutant ‘keeper Steven Cann.

Although Alex Rhodes enjoyed a few bright moments for the home side, The Shots were in control of the game. John Grant arrowed a fine shot just wide and then, after another magnificent pacy break from defending a corner, Scott Davies played in Hudson, whose shot was blocked.

Aldershot have capitulated more than once away from home after the break this season, however, so there was plenty of second half  endeavour required.

The players did not let Waddock down. After a steady start to the half, The Shots passed their way to a second, as Morgan buried a shot after playing a one-two with Hudson, who did, admittedly, look marginally offside in the build-up.

Rotherham, apart from some beef from substitute Drewe Broughton, who kept Bull and his defenders on their toes, quickly surrendered to their fate.

But that should take nothing away from The Shots, who kept passing their way forward, eager for more goals.

Soares, Morgan and Grant all came close, before Hudson did make it three, finishing off an excellent move.

Ben Harding and Grant played a neat one-two and Harding cleverly worked an opening, which was eventually gleefully thumped home by Hudson.

Many Rotherham fans promptly got up from their seats and left the ground. Away to their right, the Aldershot fans were off their seats too, doing a conga around the away section. Such is the joy gained from a long-awaited away win and one with a touch of FA Cup magic to boot. This was Aldershot Town’s first cup win over Football League opponents, too.

“The fans were amazing and they will go home with a smile on their faces — one nearly as large as mine,” said Waddock.

Now Aldershot must kick on and make sure that they build from this away triumph.

“I said the away win would come,” said Waddock. “We learnt the hard way but the main thing is that the players have learnt. They deserve an awful lot of credit tonight. If we can build on this, we’ll be OK.”

Aldershot: Bull, Blackburn, Straker, Day, Charles, Harding, Hudson, Davies, Grant, Morgan (Elvins 87), Soares. Subs not used: Jaimez-Ruiz, Chalmers, Howell, Mendes, Newman, Osborne.