Halifax ran out 2-0 winners with two second-half goals from Harvey Gilmour and Milli Alli to make it two defeats in a week for Aldershot.
Aldershot made three changes from the side that lost to Gateshead at the weekend. Tahvon Campbell, Josh McQuoid and Henry Ochieng replaced Joe Partington, Justin Amaluzor and Ryan Glover.
The game was largely played in the middle for the first half-hour. Bar a shot from Halifax that was in more danger of going for a throw-in than threatening Luca Ashby-Hammond’s goal, it took until the 30 minute mark for the game’s first meaningful effort.
Halifax were arguably on top for those opening exchanges but as a flat and negative atmosphere began to take it’s effect on the hosts, the Shots grew into the game and came close through Tahvon Campbell.
Launching a half-volley from outside the area, he forced Sam Johnson into a good save to deny his venomous shot. And Aldershot came close from the resulting corner – a similar routine to Saturday’s opening goal – a near-post flick on was just inches away from being turned in by one of the many bodies lurking in front of goal.
Just before half-time, a neat move from the Shots culminated with a quick burst forward from the night’s skipper Josh McQuoid who played it to Tyler Frost to his right. He cut inside, but his left-footed effort was just over the bar.
HALF-TIME
Much like the first-half, it took a while for either end goal to be really threatened. A fast break forward from Angelo Cappello was fantastically cut out by Henry Ochieng who kept pace with the speedy winger and slid in with a brilliant challenge in what was the most dangerous either side looked for at least 15 second-half minutes.
But Halifax fans who were unhappy with their side’s hesitancy to shoot were overjoyed to see their first real effort on goal find the back of the net. Harvey Gilmour launched an effort from over 20 yards out which powered past Ashby-Hammond to give the home side the lead in the 64th minute.
And they almost had a second four minutes later. Ashby-Hammond did well to cut out a threatening cross but the ball fell to the feet of Jamie Cooke whose effort was blocked and straight into the hands of a grateful Shots ‘keeper.
Aldershot were unfortunate to fall behind after a good end to the first-half and were pushing to get back into the game. The introduction of Ryan Glover livened up a tiring forward line but it was Tyler Cordner who provided attacking threat.
Firstly, he broke forward and beat two men but his long-range effort didn’t have enough power and bounced into Johnson’s arms. Minutes later, the centre-back popped up on the right wing to deliver an inviting cross but Jake Hutchinson’s header was wide.
As the game entered the final ten minutes, the Shots did find the back of the net, only to be denied by the referee’s whistle. Corey Jordan looped a backwards header over Johnson but those who didn’t watch or listen to tonight’s game will have an equal idea of why the whistle was blown.
But whilst Aldershot were pushing forward, they had Ashby-Hammond to thank for keeping their late hopes alive with a fantastic save in the 88th minute. Luke Summerfield received the ball just 10-yards out and looked certain to score but the Fulham loanee spread himself wide and made an incredible stop.
Shots’ ‘keeper then came forward for a last-minute corner but could only watch as Halifax won the ball and raced forward with Milli Alli benefitting from a wide open goal to double the home side’s lead with second remaining.
Shots Lineup: 1. Luca Ashby-Hammond, 2. Myles Kenlock (17. Jake Hutchinson 74′), 5. Tyler Cordner, 8. Tyler Frost, 9. Tahvon Campbell (23. Ryan Glover 59′), 10. Josh McQuoid (c) (20. Michael Klass 74’), 15. Jai Rowe, 16. Corey Jordan, 18. Henry Ochieng, 19. Oliver Pendlebury, 30. Jack Barham. Subs not used: 38. Finlay Westen, 3. Ollie Harfield.
