After a mammoth week on the road, it will be a most welcome return to the EBB Stadium for Aldershot Town on Saturday, 6th September as they host National League newcomers Brackley Town for the very first time in a televised late kick-off in North Hampshire.
Perennial overachievers, Brackley are among the vast minority of clubs in this season’s Enterprise National League yet to declare full-time professional status. However, Gavin Cowan’s men have already proved on multiple occasions that they are to be underestimated at one’s peril, losing just one game in six in the month of August, taking no time at all to adjust to new heights.
Following defeat against Carlisle United in midweek, ‘the Saints’ currently sit 13th in the National League table, claiming 8 points from 6 games thus far.
RECENT FORM
It has been a respectable start to life at step-one for the Saints, with their current record of two losses, two draws and two defeats unsurprisingly placing them middle of the pack.
- 03/09/25 – Brackley Town 0-1 Carlisle United
- 30/08/25 – Brackley Town 1-1 Scunthorpe United (Danny Waldron)
- 25/08/25 – Tamworth 1-1 Brackley Town (Morgan Roberts)
- 23/08/25 – Brackley Town 2-1 Rochdale (Ryan Haynes, Connor Hall)
- 20/08/25 – Yeovil Town 2-1 Brackley Town (Tyler Lyttle)
Until Wednesday evening, St. James’ Park had been something of a fortress for Brackley, beating Eastleigh on the opening day of the season, drawing against fellow National League North promotees Scunthorpe, and perhaps most notably, defeating promotion hopefuls Rochdale 2-1, the Dale’s only dropped points of the campaign thus far.
Their narrow loss against the Cumbrians also may have gone either way were it not for current fifth-tier top scorer Regan Linney’s seemingly unstoppable form. The Saints boasted more shots on target and shared possession equally, but were unable to put chances to good use.
The side from Northamptonshire are yet to claim their first away win at this level, picking up just a point between two ties against Yeovil and Tamworth respectively. However, they will look to at very least continue their impressive run of scoring on the road at every opportunity, something they have failed to achieve just once since last October.
IN THE DUGOUT
A former center half with a military background, the origins of Brackley’s disciplined defence are no mystery. Organised, exact, and working miracles on a shoestring budget, the 44-year-old is quickly becoming one of the most eye-catching managerial talents in non-league.
Born in an Army barracks in Hannover, Cowan moved to Essex aged five, where he would eventually forge a respectable playing career as a defender, with stints at Braintree Town and Canvey Island before moving to Shrewsbury Town in 2005, a tenure which saw him regularly assist in protecting the goal of a young Joe Hart.
It was during his time with the Shrews that a growing affinity with the county of Shropshire began, not only becoming managing director of sporting education company ‘the Crossbar Group’ in nearby Lilleshall, but enjoying two playing spells with AFC Telford before beginning his managerial career with the club in 2018.
His first season as gaffer was a promising one, though ended cruelly, as a final day loss against York saw them miss out on a play-off place on goal difference. The following two campaigns saw momentum halted by lockdown, and after a poor start to the 2021/22 campaign, Cowan and the club parted ways by mutual consent.
He would wait almost two years before taking on another role, with Brackley coming knocking ahead of the 2023/24 season. Leading the side to both a play-off final and a league title in two seasons with the club thus far, it’s safe to say the appointment has been a successful one, as National League North’s manager of the season may have already cemented club legend status on Churchill Way.
FORMER SHOTS
Morgan Roberts – The winger joined the Shots on loan from Swindon Town in February 2023, though unfortunately failed to hit the ground running, making just four appearances, all of which being winless. However, fortunes have turned dramatically in the last two years.
Released from the Robins that summer, he would join Brackley Town at the start of Cowan’s reign, and has since become an integral part of the side, playing all but two of the Saints’ 46 league fixtures en route to the sixth-tier title, even finding himself inducted into the National League North team of the season for 2024/25, one of only two Brackley players to do so.
TICKET INFO
Tickets are available HERE, and are priced as follows, please note prices will increase at 10am on the day of the match, these are noted in brackets:
- ADULTS – £23 (£25)
- MILITARY PERSONNEL – £21 (£23)
- SENIOR (Over 66) – £21 (£23)
- DISABLED – £21 (£23)
- YOUNG PERSON (18-20) – £21 (£23)
- 15 AND UNDER – £8 (£10)
- UNDER 11 – FREE
- FAMILY TICKET (Two Adults, Three 15 and Under) – £48 (£52)
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 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.
The game can be streamed via DAZN’s National League TV coverage, with kick-off time having been altered to accommodate enhanced coverage and availability to watch in the UK. Click HERE to purchase a match pass.
There will be live commentary of the game provided by BBC Radio Surrey – listen online HERE
