The Shots picked up a vital three points and a clean sheet as Cameron Hargreaves first-half deflected effort secured a win at the EBB Stadium against the Enterprise National League’s firmest defence in Hartlepool United.
Four changes were made from the side that lost at Carlisle. Ben Jackson returned to the starting lineup after serving his suspension and he was joined by Cameron Hargreaves, James Henry and Hady Ghandour as Kwame Thomas and Tristan Abrahams were dropped to the bench and James Clarridge and Dejan Tetek weren’t in the matchday squad.
The Shots started brightly and on his first start of the season, James Henry drove into the box in the third minute and forced a corner as his strike was blocked. From the resulting corner, Archy Taylor rose highest and knocked it down for Charlie Penman, but the defender got it all wrong and skied his effort from close-range.
The Pools didn’t take long to get a golden opportunity as a cross to the back-post found Besart Topalloj, but the wing-back was denied by a great save from Marcus Dewhurst.
The Shots were looking dynamic in their attacking moves, though, as Josh Barrett and James Henry looked to be rekindling a partnership that proved so fruitful last season. Henry received the ball in Hartlepool territory and hearing the loud shout from Barrett, was able to play him in down the right wing and Barrett’s cross was dangerous, but Harvey Cartwright did well to punch clear as Hady Ghandour raced in.
And it was Aldershot who took the lead in the 20th minute through Cameron Hargreaves. A short corner from Barrett to Henry found Hargreaves on the edge of the box and taking one touch to shape up to shoot, he saw his shot deflected and loop over the helpless Cartwright.
There was some controversy in the 27th minute as Besart Topalloj flew into Marcus Dewhurst considerably late after the Shots’ ‘keeper had claimed the ball and proceeded to leave Archy Taylor clutching his face on the floor after an altercation. But much to the distaste of the Shots faithful and players, Topalloj was only shown a yellow card and so was Taylor.
As the game edged towards half-time, Hartlepool did have a couple of chances at the Shots’ goal, but both falling to Alex Reid, he was unable to seriously threaten Dewhurst.
HALF-TIME
Hady Ghandour showed good strength to win the ball on the halfway line to minutes into the second-half and Barrett was able to play a smart pass through to Henry who in turn spread it further wide out to Taylor on the right, but cutting in from the wing, his left-footed strike was wide of the mark.
In the 54th minute, Dewhurst stopped a certain Hartlepool goal with an outstanding piece of goalkeeping. Alex Reid found himself in on goal and rounded Dewhurst, but the Shots ‘keeper was somehow able to claw at the ball and deny the striker without committing a foul.
Almost immediately up the other end, Aldershot broke forward and Barrett raced down the left-wing and his cross found Archy Taylor racing in at the far-post, but he couldn’t align the timing of his run with the flight of the cross and had to settle for kneeing the ball considerably wide.
Dewhurst was becoming increasingly involved in the second-half. He had Charlie Penman to thank in the 73rd minute as the Brighton loanee made a crucial intervention to stick a toe in as Alex Reid looked to be in goal. Six minutes later, Dewhurst was forced to make two important stops within a minute as the Pools were pushing for an equaliser.
Aldershot were able to see out the game well with their young defence holding firm to earn an important clean sheet. The only blotch coming in the form of a straight red card for Tommy Widdrington for the troubles of trying to stop the ball from flying over his dugout.
Attendance: 2329 (198 Away)
Shots Lineup: 1. Marcus Dewhurst, 5. Ben Jackson (9. Kwame Thomas, 66′), 6. Theo Widdrington (C), 7. Cameron Hargreaves, 10. Josh Barrett (18. Kiban Rai, 90+5′), 14. Jed Meerholz, 15. Charlie Penman, 17. James Henry (30. Tristan Abrahams, 66′), 19. Ryan Hill, 23. Hady Ghandour (11. Ryan Jones, 66′), 28. Archy Taylor (24. Maxwell Mullins, 86′).
Subs not used: 16. Pat Nash, 26. Joe Lewis-Evans
Hartlepool lineup: 1. Harvey Cartwright, 3. Cameron John, 4. Tom Parkes (7. Jermaine Francis, 46′[9. Danny Cooper, 83′]), 5. Maxime Kouogun, 11. Luke Charman, 14. Nathan Sheron, 18. Jamie Miley (2. Jay Benn, 75′) 19. Alex Reid (27. Vadaine Oliver, 86’), 23. Besart Topalloj, 28. Matty Daly, 38. Brad Walker.
Subs not used: 40. Adam Smith, 8. Nathan Ferguson, 15. Jack Hunter.
