Tommy Widdrington extended his unbeaten start as Shots manager to six, as the Shots picked up a point in a 1-1 draw in front of 2,395 on the final day of the 2022/23 season at the EBB.
The Shots made two changes heading into the game, with Joe Partington and Corey Jordan out of the side that got a point in York, with Ollie Harfield and Tyler Frost put back into the starting 11. Frank Burt players and Arthur English fans player of the season Tyler Cordner took the captains armband in Partington’s place.
The game almost didn’t get off to any start, as a delay in Altrincham’s travels meant the sides kicked off at 6:15, rather than 5:30. Despite the delay, there was still time to recognise the efforts of those on and off the pitch this season, with Tyler Cordner winning fans and players player, Luca Ashby-Hammond winning the Shots away travel group player of the season, and Paul Blundell won the Paul Muddell volunteer of the season award.
From the off Aldershot were on the front foot, and almost took the lead with just under 10 minutes on the clock. The chance came as a ball was sent in towards the head of Jack Barham, who headed wide from just outside the six yard box.
The pressure continued to mount towards the Altrincham goal, but the chances were being kept to a minimum by a compact Robins defence. Shots came close to scoring the opener again just before the half an hour mark, as Tahvon Campbell spun his defender, but fired his shot just wide of Matthew Gould’s net.
Following Campbell’s chance either side were limited to only a couple of sighters at either end, meaning the half time whislte blew at the game still level.
HALF TIME: Shots 0-0 Altrincham
Altrincham came closest to opening the scoring in the second half, as Regan Linney was slipped through in behind the Shots defence in the 54th minute, but his one on one effort against Luca Ashby-Hammond rattled the post and came back out into play.
The Robins were misplacing a number of passes, but Aldershot were unable to create many clear cut scoring chances from their errors. The best chance came in the 63rd minute, at Tahvon Campbell found himself in a good position to shoot, but his effort was straight at Matthew Gould.
A close game finally got its opening in the 66th minute, and there was only one man who could’ve scored it. Tyler Cordner picked up the ball inside the Altrincham half, and was invited to shoot, and after a big deflection the ball ended up in the back of the visitors net, with Cordner celebrating his effort in front of the East Bank on a day in which he had been named supporters player of the season.
Tommy Widdrington made two changes as the clocked ticked on, bring on Jai Rowe for Ryan Glover, who appeared to have picked up a knock, and Justin Amaluzor for Josh McQuoid a few minutes later.
Altrincham got themselves level in the 86th minute, as a cutback found its way to Edward Jones, who converted from just inside the Shots box to get the Robins back on terms with only a few minutes left on the clock.
The goal was the last real big chance of the game, meaning the sides shared the points on the final day.
Shots team: 1. Luca Ashby-Hammond, 2. Myles Kenlock, 3. Ollie Harfield, 5. Tyler Cordner (C) (4. Joe Partington 86′), 8. Tyler Frost, 9. Tahvon Campbell, 10. Josh McQuoid (7. Justin Amaluzor 80′), 22. Haji Mnoga, 23. Ryan Glover (15. Jai Rowe 72′), 27. Tommy Willard, 30. Jack Barham, Unused subs: 18. Henry Ochieng, 25. Keane Anderson