Sutton United v Aldershot Town Match Preview – Saturday 29th December 2018
Following Boxing Day’s high drama at York Road, in which The Shots played their part in an exciting seven goal thriller, only to come away with nothing, they make another relatively short trip to Gander Green Lane to take on 8th place Sutton United on Saturday. BBC Surrey Sport’s Rob Worrall previews the action:
Shots Squad:
After briefly having 16 players to choose from a week ago, Shots boss Gary Waddock was hit with late withdrawals again on Boxing Day. Gerry McDonagh (family matter) and Karleigh Osborne (tweaked a quad muscle immediately prior to kick off) leaving Waddock with just three players on the bench, of which he could only use a maximum of two. McDonagh should return for the Sutton match but Osborne is unlikely to be risked so soon. Two goal Reece Grant took a few knocks during the game but hopes to make it too. George Fowler, James Rowe, Shamir Fenelon, Scott Rendell, Luke Howell and Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong remain on the side lines with a variety of injuries. Nick Arnold continues to join in non-contact training with the Shots squad and took part in the warm-up at York Road on Boxing Day.
Opposition:
Name: Sutton United
Founded: 1898
Nickname: The U’s
Manager: Paul Doswell
Stadium: Gander Green Lane
2017/18 National League position: 3rd
Current National League position: 8th
Brief History:
The club was formed in March 1898 through the amalgamation of two leading junior sides, Sutton Association and Sutton Guild Rovers. In 1910, they sought Senior status as members of the Southern Suburban League and played at several local grounds in the years prior to the First World War.
The Gaffer:
Paul Doswell was appointed in May 2008 after leading Eastleigh to three consecutive promotions, taking them from the Wessex League to the Conference South and was named BBC South Sports Personality of the Year in 2006. He took Sutton to the play-offs in his first two seasons in charge, before winning the Ryman League title in 2011. In 2015-16, he repeated that success in the National League South and oversaw the club’s best ever performance in the FA Cup during the 2016-17 season. Last season he led the U’s to 3rd place in the National League, only to lose to Borehamwood in a play-off eliminator.
Playing Squad:
Eleven of last season’s squad remain at Sutton, including the strong spine of Goalkeeper Jamie Butler, Skipper Jamie Collins, midfielders Kenny Davis and Nicky Bailey. Six new players arrived at Gander Green Lane in the summer, including defenders Dan Wishart (now at Maidstone) and Dale Bennett (both from Forest Green Rovers) and Charlie Clough (Barnet). Former Shots loanee Ross Lafayette departed for Billericay Town a couple of months ago, whilst just last week, another former Shot, Brett Williams, joined on loan from Torquay United, immediately assisting a winning goal for the U’s on his debut.
Referee:
Gary Parsons will take the middle on Saturday. To date, he has refereed 6 National League matches this season, showing 12 yellow cards and 1 red card. He took charge of Aldershot Town’s 2-0 home victory against Dover Athletic earlier this term.
Commentary:
BBC Surrey Sport’s Rob Worrall and Shots supporter Matt Foot 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, tweet @RobShot66.
