WHO ARE THE SHOTS PLAYING?
The Shots return to the EBB this weekend to take on Wealdstone. The Stones are one of few semi-professional clubs in the National League, but have enjoyed an impressive start to the season, sitting eighth with 16 points from the opening 10.
HOW DID THEY DO LAST SEASON?
Wealdstone finished 10 points better off than the Shots last season, ending the campaign with 53 points, winning 14 and drawing 11 of their league fixtures. They had a dissapointing campaign in the cup, not making it to the FA Cup proper after a fourth qualifying round defeat to Dagenham and Redbridge. The FA Trophy ended for the Stones in the third round, following defeat to Needham Market.
HOW DID WE GET ON AGAINST THEM LAST SEASON?
Wealdstone got the better of the Shots on head-to-head last season, picking up all three points in May courtesy of goals by Connor McAvoy, Josh Umerah, and Ira Jackson Jr. The earlier fixture in September ended with a point each, Ira Jackson Jr and Josh Umerah scoring for Stones, and Corrie Andrews scoring both goals for the Shots.
WHO IS THEIR GAFFER?
Current Wealdstone manager is Stuart Maynard. Maynard was initially appointed as interim manager following Dean Brennan’s depature to local rivals Barnet, and was made permanent manager on 11th March 2021. Despite a difficult COVID hit start to life for Maynard, he was able to keep Wealdstone in the National League in 20/21, and in 21/22 Maynard guided Wealdstone to their best league finish in 35 years.
WEALDSTONE SQUAD UPDATE:
Former Shot Lewis Kinsella has served his suspension and will be available for selection by Stuart Maynard. Another former Shots Rhys Browne is expected to start, having scored five goals from the opening 10 games. Sam Howes, Nathan Ferguson, Tarryn Allakrakhia, Jack Cook, Dominic Hutchinson and Ashley Charles have all appeared in the opening 10 fixtures and like Rhys Browne are expected to play the fixture.
Howes, Hutchinson and Allakrakhia all signed for the Stones this summer from Horsham, Woking and Watford respectively, with Max Kretzschmar also signing from Woking. Of the other new arrivals, Napa, Habergham and Elerewe have made the most appearances for Stones, all making at least eight appearances each.
ANY EX-SHOTS?
New Stones signing Lewis Kinsella spent five seasons at Aldershot, making over 100 appearances while at the club. Kinsella joined Shots on a free transfer from Colchester in January 2018, and went on to play 19 times that season, including Shots unfortunate exit in the National League Playoffs. He went on to make at least 30 appearances in three of the four following seasons, with 21/22 being his most prolific, scoring four goals.
Rhys Browne spent just one season at Aldershot, in 15/16. Browne got 14 goal contributions in 37 league games.
TICKET INFO:
As the fixture is tomorrow, fans purchasing tickets have passed the early bird ticket prices. Tickets will be available to buy on the day of the game from the club shop with cash or card or by card for the East Bank from turnstile eight.
Tickets can be bought online HERE, and are priced as follows:
- Adult: £20
- Senior (over 65): £16
- Military personnel: £16
- Disabled: £16
- Young person (18-20): £16
- Junior (11-17): £7
- Under 11: FREE
HOW TO FOLLOW THE GAME:
As always, live updates will be posted on Shots official Twitter @OfficialShots, and you can catch up with highlights of the game on the Aldershot YouTube channel HERE after the final whistle has gone.
There will be live BBC Surrey Sport online commentary of the game with Bryn Lucas and a guest summariser.
