RESULTS matter little in pre-season. Especially when your team has outplayed a team from a higher division, for long periods.

So, Aldershot manager Gary Waddock was understandably delighted with his side’s performance in the 1-0 defeat to League One Leyton Orient at the EBB Stadium on Saturday.

All that was missing was a finishing touch, with Orient’s Ryan Jarvis providing the clinical finish that the Shots lacked, with the only goal of the game in the 68th minute.

“It’s not about the result at the moment, it’s about the performance,” said Waddock. “And I’m more than happy with what we’ve done today.

“The conditions were very hot and we were playing against a team from a league higher. I’m absolutely delighted with the way the players went about their business.”

Orient, who are unbeaten so far in pre-season, were chasing shadows for much of the first half, out-passed, out-thought and out-fought by Waddock’s Shots, who built confidently from the back, easing the ball quickly through midfield and out wide, where a succession of crosses came in, especially from the right.

Most prominent was right back Ben Starosta, in his first appearance since joining on loan from Sheffield United. He spent much of the first period in the Orient half.
 
Starosta was solid at the back too, introducing himself with two clever defensive headers and a couple of well-timed tackles. No wonder he was given a rousing reception from the near 1000-strong crowd when he was withdrawn just before the hour. Granted, this was only one game but, on this evidence, Waddock has finally provided the fans with a right back superior to Rob Gier, who was released by Waddock at the end of last season.

“Ben’s a good footballer,” said Waddock. “I’ve known about him for some time. He put in some high quality crosses and maybe we need to work a little on getting on the end of those. Ben’s only just back from a double hernia. I know he's been working very hard in training up in Sheffield but we need to get matches under his belt.”

Starosta himself is keen to extend his stay at Aldershot. “I'm 21 now and have been at United for eight years. It’s time I got settled at a different club, where I can play and enjoy my football.” Waddock has clearly had Starosta in mind for some time. “Gary got in touch with me at the end of the season and said he was interested in me. I’m very happy to be here.”

Starosta, who was on loan at both Brentford and Bradford City in League Two last season, said that Aldershot’s facilities compare favourably with other clubs at this level. “Gary took me round the training ground. With the Army facilities and swimming baths and gym we have all we need to push on. I’m sure we can be up there challenging this season and I hope my deal can be turned into a permanent one.”

But this was not just about Starosta. The whole team, from Nikki Bull to Marvin Morgan, looked confident. Chris Blackburn’s cool dominance at the back continues to impress, while Ben Harding and Scott Donnelly look increasingly assured together in midfield, leaving Lewis Chalmers champing at the bit on the bench.

Up front, Danny Hylton was lively, linking especially well with Donnelly, and made the most of a start alongside Morgan, in the absence of injured trio John Grant, Junior Mendes and Rob Elvins.

But the finishing touch was lacking. Hylton’s hooked volley clipped the bar from Louie Soares’ cross, Morgan was denied on three occasions by Orient keeper Glenn Morris, Donnelly forced two good saves too and Soares shot over after a seven-man passing move, started by Bull.

Granted, Orient’s Adam Boyd and Wayne Gray both could have scored in the first half but Martin Ling’s side had been distinctly second-best.

After the break, however, they gained more control of the game and introduced more fresh legs in the heat.
Still, Aldershot, through Hylton, had had the best opening, before Loick Peres crossed from the left and Jarvis poked his shot wide of Bull for a tidy goal.

Only a superb Bull save stopped Jarvis from making it 2-0 but still Aldershot rattled their opponents. Kirk Hudson became increasingly influential and was twice unlucky not to score, while Morgan was harshly penalised for a foul when clear through, running onto substitute Chalmers’ cute pass.

“Orient are a good side who did well in their league last season and we have made things difficult for them,” said Waddock afterwards. “The players are confident and there is a lot of competition within the squad. Players must stake a claim to start. If they are are performing they will start. If they are not performing they will have to wait their turn. It’s entirely in their hands.”

Waddock was hoping that Grant will be back available for tomorrow's home match against a Tottenham Hotspur XI (7.45pm). Mendes’ thigh strain is a minor problem too but Elvins’ bone bruising will take longer to heal.

With Rhys Day and Dave Winfield out injured, Waddock was relieved to learn that knocks picked up by Anthony Charles and Blackburn against Orient proved to be no more than niggles. “They are fine, there’s no concern,” said Waddock.

Trialist right back Jomo Faal-Thomas, who came on for Starosta against Orient, is expected to be included again in Aldershot’s squad.

Aldershot v Orient: Bull, Starosta (Faal-Thomas 56), Blackburn, Charles (Newman 61), Soares (Lewis Chalmers H/T), Howell (Anthony Straker H/T), Donnelly, Harding, Hudson, Morgan, Hylton. Not used: Jaimez-Ruiz.