The Shots face Boreham Wood in the Isuzu FA Trophy Fifth Round at the EBB Stadium this weekend.
The Wood currently sit second in the Vanarama National League South as they look to be promoted back to the Vanarama National League following their relegation last season.
As well as sitting second in the table, Boreham Wood have the second-highest goal tally and the second-best defensive record, leaving them with the best goal difference in their league – in no small part helped by Vanarama National League South top scorer, Kwesi Appiah’s goals.
RECENT FORM
Boreham Wood’s most recent five games have seen them lose their previous two games, but had won the three before that.
One of those victories came in the previous round of the competition as Matt Rush and Jon Benton scored in a 2-1 win over Weymouth.
Of the five games, three have come away from home with Boreham Wood beating Weymouth in the FA Trophy and Welling in the NLS, but losing to Worthing on Tuesday night.
- 28/01/25 – Worthing 2-1 Boreham Wood
- 25/01/25 – Boreham Wood 1-4 Chippenham Town
- 21/01/25 – Boreham Wood 3-1 Hampton & Richmond Borough
- 18/01/25 – Welling United 0-1 Boreham Wood
- 04/01/25 – Weymouth 1-2 Boreham Wood (FA Trophy Fourth Round)
IN THE DUGOUT
Luke Garrard is the man in charge of this weekend’s visitors having returned to the club he spent almost 15 years at as a Player and a Manager earlier this season after spending just a few months away.
The 39-year-old took over at Meadow Lane following the club’s promotion to the Vanarama National League and after almost a decade had taken them to Wembley in a Playoff final, reached the Semi-Finals of the Playoffs on two other occasions, and led his side out at Goodison Park in the FA Cup Fifth Round.
Garrard left Boreham Wood following their relegation from the Vanarama National League last season, but returned to the Meadow Lane dugout just a few months later in September 2024 after his successor Ross Jenkins was sacked.
LAST TIME OUT
The last meeting between the two sides was one to forget for the Shots as goals from Lee Ndlovu, Erico Sousa and Kabongo Tshimanga saw the Wood pick up a 3-0 win at the EBB Stadium in front of the TNT Sports cameras in what was the final Shots home game of the 23/24 season.
Last season’s meeting at Meadow Lane was a much better occasion for the Shots as Josh Stokes and Haji Mnoga scored in a 2-1 win back in September 2023.
SINCE WE MET
As mentioned already, Boreham Wood were relegated despite their 3-0 win at the EBB Stadium and Luke Garrard departed the club at the end of the season.
A poor start to life in the Vanarama National League South, however, saw Ross Jenkins lose his job and Garrard return as Boreham Wood’s form improved and they now sit second in the table.
The Wood have picked up 52 points from their 28 games so far this season with 15 wins and just six losses.
FORMER SHOTS
Callum Reynolds – The defender who has only just signed for Boreham Wood made almost 100 appearances for the Shots in his two years with the club between 2016 and 2018.
Tom Whelan – Tom Whelan spent a month on loan with the Shots from Chesterfield during the 22/23 season, making four appearances.
Kwesi Appiah – Another player to have spent just a month with the Shots but way back in 2012, Appiah made just two appearances for the Shots.
TICKET INFO
Tickets can be bought online by clicking HERE
Prices are as follows:
- ADULT – £15
- SENIOR (Over 66) – £10
- MILITARY PERSONNEL – £10
- DISABLED – £10
- YOUNG PERSON (18-20) – £10
- JUNIOR (17 and under) – £7
Please note that as this is a cup game, season tickets are NOT valid for this fixture.
There will be no Earlybird Period and price change for this fixture.
We strongly encourage buying tickets in advance or online to save queues in the Ticket Office before the game.
The Club Shop/Ticket Office is only open for all supporters with cash and card accepted.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT
Live updates will be available from our social media platforms X (@OfficialShots), Instagram (@aldershottownfcofficial), and Facebook. After the game, highlights will be available on our YouTube channel.
There will be live commentary of the game provided by BBC Radio Surrey – listen online HERE