Accrington Stanley 0-1 Aldershot Town

Gary Waddock's side commenced life in the Coca Cola Football League Two with a 1-0 victory at the Fraser Eagle Stadium on Saturday evening due to an excellent Scott Donnelly free kick minutes before the interval. The boss, Martin Kuhl, Nikki Bull and goal scorer Donnelly reflect on the match on The Shots Online with audio interviews. You can join this popular service for just £5 per month. All monies go directly to Aldershot Town FC. Further information is available on the home page

The scene was set as the name of Aldershot returned to the Football League after a 16 year absence.

With all the build up, excitement and emotion Gary Waddock had made it clear earlier in the week that there was a job to be done and three points to be claimed.

The preparation worked and Scott Donnelly etched his name into Aldershot history by netting the first goal in the Football League just two minutes before the interval. And what a goal it was too!

The opening day of the season is a good day for Aldershot Town. They have won 12 of their opening 17 matches since 1992, losing just two in the process. However after a disappointing home campaign last time around, the poorest in the division, John Coleman's side were keen to get their season off to a positive start.

Boss Waddock intorduced four debutants with Chris Blackburn partnering Anthony Charles at the heart of the defence, Marvin Morgan likewise with John Grant up front whilst Dean Howell slotted in at left-back with Ben Starosta on the right side of defence.

All four newcomers can be pleased with their introduction although it was a familiar name that produced two outstanding saves during the first half. Nikki Bull showed that the Football League target that he set out to achieve with Aldershot Town has finally arrived.

It was a dreary, wet day in East Lancashire but Shots found their groove early on. Kirk Hudson was lively on the left- hand flank whilst Morgan proved what a nuisance he will be to play against. The former Woking man caused no end of problems and forced the experienced former Northern Ireland international, Colin Murdock, to head behind under pressure as the ball just topped the bar.

A touch from John Grant saw the ball cleared off the line after more poundering work from Morgan on the left-hand byeline. Hudson struck from distance to force Stanley goalkeeper Kenny Arthur down low to his right and Aldershot were in a decent groove.

However enter keeper Bull ! Midway through the first half the current Player of the Season saved superbly at the near post to deny a downward header from Andrew Proctor after an excellent delivery from the right by Stanley captain Peter Cavanagh. Indeed it was a rare delivery of quality because the home side were woefully guilty of a poorly distributed final ball when they were in a good position to threaten.

On th half hour the ever reliable Paul Mullin was set up with an excellently despatched through ball down the centre. With just Bull to beat you would have put your money on the experienced Stanley forward. However Bull, as he does so well, stood his ground and forced the final shot away with expertise.

Shots rallied towards the end of the first half. Louie Soares struck a half-volley and Ben Harding's angled header from Donnelly's corner was just wide.

On 43 minutes Donnelly was felled inches outside the penalty area. It was an easy decision for the quietly efficient referee Steve Bratt. The former QPR midfielder and Harding stood over the ball but with the kick towards the left- hand side Donnelly was always favourite and with one step he sweetly guided the ball into the near post corner around the wall. As he did at Exeter City in April Donnelly has proved he is a player for an occasion.

Bull saved a powerful drive from Proctor just before the interval.

The second half was a cagey affair. Shots could have extended their lead within 25 seconds. Morgan outpowered Cavanagh and delivered low across the box but the ball just eluded the unmarked John Grant.

Chances were at a premium as Shots looked organised at the back with the two central defenders linking well. When they did start to look a touch unbalanced the boss introduced Lewis Chalmers for Hudson.

At home, on the first day of the season, you would have expected the home side to give it everything in the latter stages. They did just that. Ian Craney won a drop-ball on the edge of the 18 yard box and fired just wide of the target and Cavanagh's delivery with three minutes remaining was touched on into the path of Mullin who couldn't get a valid direction on the ball.

There was more drama in injury time. Shots supporters have become used to nervous finales and this was no different.

Although Shots are always effective on the counter attack. When Louie Soares broke from deep in the first minute of injury time he used the ball intelligently before setting up Grant on his own inside the penalty box. With just Arthur to beat the Shots striker did everything right with a low strike to the left of the diving keeper only to agonisingly watch it career off the post and away.

There was more drama to follow. Stanley attacked again and Christopher King's cross saw Mullin's flick-on into the path of substitute Fola Onibuje. He could have made a name for himself scoring on his debut but he somehow managed to force the ball over the bar from inside the six yard box.

The Shots fans weren't complaining though. They knew then that the special day in the club's short history was to end satisfactorily.

First Half: 2 minutes added time (47-05)
Second Half: 4 minutes added time (49-45)
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