Forest Green Rovers 2 Aldershot Town 1
Aldershot Town fell to a narrow 2-1 away defeat in their latest National League fixture against Forest Green Rovers at The New Lawn on Saturday afternoon.
Forest Green Rovers opened the scoring 15 minutes in, with a deflected Tate Campbell effort looping into the back of the Aldershot Town goal, despite a promising start from The Shots.
The home side frustratingly doubled their lead just past the halfway stage of the first half, as Tom Knowles poked home another close-range effort to give Forest Green the advantage going into the half-time break.
However, an impressive Shots showing in the second half saw them fight to leave Gloucestershire with something but were only able to find just the one goal despite the stronger showing through Charlie Warren’s cool finish.
John Coleman made four changes to his Aldershot Town side, as Josh Barrett, Ryheem Sheckleford, Christy Grogan and latest recruit Callum Stewart, returned to the starting line-up for today’s fixture, with defender Luke Jenkins missing this afternoon’s clash.
It was a promising start from Aldershot Town as The Shots were able to apply early pressure high in the Forest Green half, which saw dangerous moments created by Charlie Warren and James Henry in the third and fourth minute unfortunately unable to create a clear-cut opportunity.
Despite the bright start, it would be the home side that would open the scoring with Tate Campbell poking home inside the Shots’ penalty area and despite the Aldershot Town defence’s best efforts, the effort found its way into the back of Coniah Boyce-Clarke’s goal.
After this, Forest Green unfortunately found a little bit of rhythm and it was Ashqar Ahmed who had the game’s next chance, with an effort 25 yards from goal which was fortunately way over the bar.
Forest Green created the game’s next chance with Jili Buyabu’s effort resulting in a similar way to Ahmed’s effort as it flew over the Aldershot Town crossbar just past the halfway stage of the first half.
Aldershot Town almost created their best opportunity, with a slick counter-attack led by James Henry almost seeing the ball find its way to debutant Callum Stewart to strike goalward, but a late flicked interception denied the young forward.
Shortly after this chance, the home side unfortunately found their second goal, after Tom Knowles slotted home inside the penalty area, much to the frustration of John Coleman and his Aldershot Town side.
There were two late chances for The Shots to get themselves back into this one, with James Henry and Cameron Hargreaves seeing efforts inside the home side’s penalty area unfortunately saved by Harry Isted in the 32nd and 34th minute.
Late on in the first half saw Aldershot Town have to defend some late Forest Green pressure too, with strong defending from Will Nightingale and Ryan Hill denying the home side a further couple of threatening opportunities.
Aldershot Town almost carved out a late moment to get themselves back in the game, with a series of crosses into the box unable to find a Shots player to poke an effort goalward and left The Shots looking to respond to a two-goal deficit in the second half.
Half-time: Forest Green Rovers 2 Aldershot Town 0
John Coleman made a triple change during the half-time break, and it was one of these second half substitutions which almost got The Shots back in the game, with Brody Peart unfortunate not to find himself on the scoresheet in the 49th minute.
After a powerful run forward, Peart showed great composure to take it around the onrushing Harry Isted, but from a tight angle, could only guide his effort into the near post as the danger fizzled out.
However, The Shots continued to push and chances for Charlie Warren, Cameron Hargreaves and Peart came and went as Aldershot Town carried on their pressure to try and find a route back into the game.
It was to be the dangerous Charlie Warren that found just that just after the hour mark, after Peart created the room down the left to cut the ball across for Warren, who slotted home a well-taken finish into the bottom corner and give The Shots just under 30 minutes to find something from the game.
Aldershot Town continued to push for a late equaliser with a succession of free-kicks and corners looked to create another chance to get themselves level.
An opportunity almost appeared after a strong run from captain Ryan Hill allowed him to drive into the Forest Green penalty area, but his deflected cross was into the grateful hands of Isted with just over 20 minutes to play.
Tyler Frost and Toby Nelson came on late in the second half to try and bring that late equaliser, as one final opportunity came the way of Brody Peart in second half stoppage time.
After a cross was flicked towards the forward, he was unable to guide his header goalward to find that late second goal for The Shots, as he saw his effort drift narrowly wide of the near post of the Forest Green goal.
Following a strong second half showing, The Shots will look to reflect on this afternoon’s result before looking ahead to their next outing in the National League, back at The EBB Stadium against Carlisle United on Tuesday night.
Full-time: Forest Green Rovers 2 Aldershot Town 1
Attendance: 2,281 (368 away)
Forest Green line-up: 42. Harry Isted, 6. Laurent Mendy, 7. Kyle McAllister (C), 11. Tom Knowles (Clarke 71), 18. Tate Campbell, 19. Jay Mingi (Kengi 58), 24. Jili Buyabu (Bunker 58), 26. Chibby Nwoko (Haughton 78), 32. Abraham Kanu, 44. D’Mani Mellor, 46. Ashqar Ahmed (Pemberton 71)
Subs not used: 12. Fiachra Pagel, 9. Christian Doidge
Shots line-up: 41. Coniah Boyce-Clarke, 7. Cameron Hargreaves, 10. Josh Barrett (Thomas 45), 14. Jed Meerholz (Frost 80), 15. Christy Grogan, 17. James Henry (Peart 45),19. Ryan Hill (C), 20. Callum Stewart (Nelson 75), 24. Charlie Warren, 25. Will Nightingale, 31. Ryheem Sheckleford (Penney 45)
Subs not used: 16. Pat Nash, 12. Keane Anderson
