Aldershot got their third win out of three pre-season fixtures so far with a third goal as Hady Ghandour scored another brace and Kwame Thomas headed home with minutes remaining to seal the win.
Things started at a high pace with both sides getting a good sight at goal in the first three minutes. Tyler Frost found Cameron Hargreaves with a low-cross from the left who in turn cut it back to Dejan Tetek, who could only give Billericay ‘keeper Sam Donkin a comfortable first touch of the ball.
Almost immediately after, the home side broke forward and Femi Akinwande found himself in on goal but James Clarridge made a fantastic recovery to get stand up and win the ball back.
The Shots were playing some nice football and finding joy down the left side. Tyler Frost broke into the box and saw his shot from a tight angle saved well in the fifth minute before his low-cross raced across goal and had to be turned over the bar by a defender with Hady Ghandour lurking five minutes later.
In the 18th minute Aldershot were awarded a penalty after Jed Meerholz was tripped whilst beating his man. Tyler Frost stepped up, but Donkin dove the right way and denied the visitors an opener.
Josh Barrett was showing his usual magic in the 23rd minute as he rattled the bar with a trademark dink from the edge of the box, and just four minutes later, the Shots took the lead.
Hargreaves’ shot from distance was parried by Donkin and Ghandour was on hand to poach on the rebound and fire his side in front.
And just after the half-hour mark, Ghandour was on target again with another poacher’s effort. This time it was Barrett who had a shot saved, but once more it fell to the feet of Ghandour to slot home.
But the home side were able to pull a goal back a minute before the break. Frank Merrifield received the ball in the box with his back to goal but on the turn, his finish was very nice and found the top corner.
HALF-TIME
The second-half was not the most entertaining of spectacles for the majority as the Shots changed their entire 11 in various stages throughout the first half-hour period.
But with a makeshift finishing 11 consisting of a number of players playing out of their usual positions, the Shots grew back into the game and Kwame Thomas began to show his effectiveness winning a free-kick with a beautiful touch and turn that he came close to heading in.
With 10 minutes remaining, some of the Shots Academy alumni on show began to shine. Archy Taylor broke through the middle and fed the ball out to Joe Lewis-Evans on the left whose excellent cross was unfortunate to miss the Shots in the middle before being turned behind and not long later, Harry Thorpe came close as he was denied by a good save after Lewis-Evans had won the ball well in midfield.
The Shots were able to seal the win with three minutes remaining of the 90 as a brilliant cross came in from the deep right-wing and Thomas rose well and headed into the top corner fantastically.
Once again, there was a strong Shots following to Essex, despite the official attendance not being announced. We thank you for your continued support and thank Billericay for their warm welcome and hospitality.
Shots lineup: 1. Marcus Dewhurst (13. Pat Nash, 46′), 5. Trialist A (24. Maxwell Mullins, 64′), 7. Cameron Hargreaves (C)(12. Keane Anderson, 60′), 8. Tyler Frost (26. Joe Lewis-Evans, 64′), 10. Josh Barrett (18. Kiban Rai, 46′), 14. Jed Meerholz (27. Harry Thorpe, 75′), 19. Ryan Hill (28. Archy Taylor, 46′), 23. Hady Ghandour (30. Tristan Abrahams, 60′), 32. James Clarridge (20. Haydon Vaughan, 75′), 34. Dejan Tetek (9. Kwame Thomas, 60′), 38. Matt Penney (39. Trialist B, 69′).
Subs not used: 17. James Henry
