Stafford Rangers 1-2 Aldershot Town

Goals from Rob Elvins and John Grant extended Shots lead at the top of the Blu Square Premier to 17 points at a wind swept and rain drenched Marston Road on Saturday afternoon. Subscribers to The Shots Online can hear the match reaction interviews of Gary Waddock, Martin Kuhl, Elvins and Lewis Chalmers. You can join this popular service by following the instructions on the home page

There is no disputing the value of the three points earned at Marston Road on Saturday afternoon. In the most difficult of conditions Gary Waddock's side adapted well before the interval and led at the break courtesy of a fine strike from Rob Elvins.

Stafford made a real game of it in the second half and ensured that the visitors had to pull out all the stops to record their third victory of the week and to ensure 10 points on the board from the last seven days.

If there were any thoughts that Aldershot Town were about to relent they have proved the capability of the squad and the desire to remain at the top of the table at the end of the season.

With no side below currently able to maintain any kind of challenge Shots have just continued the game by game approach and with just seven league matches remaining it has proved to be the correct strategy.

Speaking to 'The Shots' after the match boss Waddock said, "This was a good response from the players in what has been a busy week. The conditions were difficult but to collect 10 points out of 12 in seven days with three of those games away from home. That's not bad!"

"The wind was a big factor in how the game developed but due to the large amount of games being played I was always going to change the squad around for this match.

"I have to say that I was delighted for Rob Elvins getting on the score sheet.

"Rob works extremely hard for the team and sometimes it goes un-noticed. He is a fantastic team player and his finish was top quality. You need players who will do the donkey work in your squad and sometimes those players don't get the rewards. He is a proven goal scorer at reserve and youth level and that is why I brought him to the club. It has taken him a while to settle down but I think today you saw glimpses of what he is all about".

Boss Waddock made five changes to the side that drew at Droylsden on Thursday evening. Rob Gier returned at right back with Rhys Day partnering Dave Winfield at the heart of the visitors defence; Anthony Charles moved to left back.

Elvins and John Grant started up front in place of Danny Hylton and Junior Mendes.

With a fierce wind against them Aldershot actually adapted to the conditions well in the first half. It was a performance full of discipline and concentration and Stafford rarely threatened. Samy Mawene broke free in the early stages but sliced his shot wide and Nikki Bull saved excellently from Mawene's 25 yard effort parrying the effort over the bar.

Shots tried to keep the ball on the floor and inter act. Ben Harding worked well through the middle to set up John Grant but the top scorer's effort was just wide of the near post. Midway through the first half Harding drilled a byeline cross into the path of Grant on the edge of the six yard box but he mis-directed his header wide.

Attempting to take advantage of the strong wind Stafford were hapy to test Bull from distance but, as has been the case during the past six years, Bull was always equal to any effort.

Ben Harding was denied by fine goalkeeping from Danny Alcock as he aimed to lift the ball over the advancing keeper.

Shots did take the lead on 41 minutes when Louie Soares made a towering run through the centre before setting up
Elvins on the left. He expertly placed his shot from 12 yards into the top far corner giving Alcock no chance whatsoever. It was a special moment for the Midlands lad who netted his ninth goal of the season.

With the wind in their favour after the break Aldershot would have been strongly fancied to extend the lead. It was credit to Steve Bull's side that they actually were able to dictate play in the early stages with a desire to push forward.

It was Elvins, however, who went close to scoring a wonder goal on 56 minutes. He allowed the ball to bounce before striking from a full 30 yards out. The ball, looping into the top corner, was tipped over the bar by the stretched Alcock. Elvins was in confident mode.

The large contingent of Shots supporters who doubled the attendance were silenced on 61 minutes though. Nathan Smith strode to the byeline and his cross on the right was met by the head of the unmarked Nick Wellecomme who guided the ball home from six yards.

Any nerves that may have been setting in at this stage were eliminated three minutes later. Substitute Scott Donnelly produced an excellent corner to the near post which enabled John Grant to head home at the near post for his 23rd goal of the season. There is no doubt that Grant offers a variety required up front for the Shots and his 17 league goals this season have come from just 25 starts.

Stafford continued to press and Wellecomme somehow headed wide when he was again not picked up on the edge of the six yard box. He really should have scored.

As the game opened up towards the latter stages chances swung from end to end. Anthony Charles was eager to score his second goal of the week when his left footed effort skimmed just over the bar and Grant together with Elvins were just unable to slot home at the far post after excellent build up play involving Harding, Donnelly and Chalmers.

Elvins neatly set up Grant on the volley with seven minutes to go and the former Halifax Town front man saw his effort go just wide of the target.

In the third minute of injury time Stafford won a corner and sent everybody up. As the ball was cleared substitute Danny Hylton ran three quarters of the length of the field before cutting the ball back to Elvins. It would have been fitting if the former West Bromwich Albion striker had netted a brace and the chance was far easier than his actual goal but his final shot cannoned off the feet of Alcock and away. It was immaterial anyway as seconds later referee Mo Matador blew the final whistle. Shots confirmed their thirteenth away victory of the season.