News

MATCH PREVIEW: Aldershot Town v Wrexham A.F.C.

Following consecutive away games last week, Aldershot Town return to The EBB Stadium on Saturday to take on Wrexham. An excellent 2-1 victory at Stockport County was followed up by a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Barnet on Tuesday evening.

Rob Worrall previews the game:

Shots Squad:

Shots will be without defender Robbie Tinkler on Saturday following his fifth yellow card at The Hive on Tuesday. Skipper Dean Rance remains on the side-lines with a tendon injury, whilst Alex Finney, James Rowe and Ollie O’Dwyer all gradually progressing towards returns from their own injuries.

Opposition:

Name: Wrexham A.F.C.

Founded: 1864

Nickname: The Dragons

Manager: Bryan Hughes

Stadium: Racecourse Ground

2018/19 National League position: 4th

 

Brief History:

Wrexham were formed in 1864 and are the third oldest football club in the world. They were relegated from the Football League in 2008, after 87 years – and are currently in their twelfth season in Non-League’s top tier.

The Gaffer:

43-year-old Bryan Hughes was appointed Wrexham manager with a three-and-a-half-year deal in February 2019 and helped steer the Dragons to a play-off place. Prior to his appointment, Hughes only previous managerial experience was a joint manager of Scarborough Athletic. Hughes had a long playing career as a midfielder that played over 500 games, almost half of them for Birmingham City. Wrexham were his first club and he scored 14 goals in his 97 appearances for the Dragons.

Playing Squad:

Hughes kept seventeen of last season’s playing squad, including Centre Backs Shaun Pearson and Jake Lawlor, Midfielders Luke Summerfield and Luke Young and Forward Bobby Grant, who is top scorer so far this season with four goals. Players that have moved on include Kevin Roberts, Rekeil Pyke, Chris Holroyd (Chorley) and Mike Fondop (Chesterfield). Key signings include Devonte Redmond (Salford) and strikers JJ Hooper (22 goals on loan at Bromley last season) & Mark Harris, who is currently on loan from Cardiff City.

Referee:

Saturday’s referee is Declan Bourne, who has taken the middle in 4 matches this season to date, showing 12 yellow cards and 0 red cards.

Commentary:

BBC Surrey Sports Rob Worrall and Shots skipper Dean Rance will be covering the game live on Saturday afternoon. Tune in to the BBC Sport website (or the BBC Sport App) from 2:50pm for full match commentary. To interact with them, tweet @RobShot66.