Aldershot Town collected a hard-fought three points as they defeated Maidenhead United 4-3 at the EBB Stadium this afternoon.
The Shots got off to an ideal start with their first chance of the game saw them 1-0 up within three minutes. Hady Ghandour passed a low cross to Kai Corbett, whose blocked shot rebounded onto the path of James Henry, who struck the ball into the top left of the net.
Five minutes later, the Shots came close to doubling their lead. Another low ball from Ghandour fell into the path of Henry, who followed it to Corbett, but his effort was denied by Craig Ross.
In the 12th minute, Maidenhead United made it 1-1 through Tristan Abrahams. A low cross by Reece Smith was met by Abrahams who brought the Magpies back into the game.
Another chance for the Shots arose just ten minutes after. A long ball forward on the right-hand side from Akpan found the path of Ghandour, but his shot went just wide of the post.
Just before the end of the first half, the Shots came close to another opportunity as Ghandour made way down the right-hand side on the counter attack, but his cross was a little too powerful to be met by Corbett who was in an open area.
HALF TIME
The first chance of the second half came from the Magpies just eight minutes in. A shot from Reece Smith was confidently claimed by Marcus Dewhurst.
Just before the hour mark, the Shots regained their lead. A blocked Corbett effort fell into the path of Olly Scott who sent the ball curling into the bottom right corner from the edge of the box.
Almost immediately after, the visitors equalised once again. Abrahams was found in a dangerous area and sent the ball straight past Dewhurst.
However, the Shots were quick to react, and saw themselves 3-2 up in the 62nd minute. A Henry cross from the right of the box was found by Ghandour who forced a save from Ross, his rebounded effort fell into the path of Corbett who struck his effort into the back of the net.
Nine minutes later, the Shots double their lead once again. Following some great work from Henry as he forced his way forward, the ball reached Ghandour who sent a powerful shot into the bottom right of the visitors’ net.
In the 78th minute, the Magpies made it 4-3. Kevin Lokko turned in a free-kick from the right wing and sent the ball flying in at the back post.
After a relatively quiet 20 minutes, the pressure continued from the visitors. A few chances came from both sides in remaining minutes of match, but the Shots were able to hold out and take another three points at home.
Attendance: 2408 (107 away)
Shots lineup: 28. Marcus Dewhurst, 3. Ollie Harfield, 5. Christian Maghoma, 6. Theo Widdrington (34. Dejan Tetek.), 7. Cameron Hargreaves, 9. Kai Corbett (64′ 22. Jack Barham), 18.Olly Scott (91′ 2. Lachlan Byrd), 21. Ashley Akpan, 23. Hady Ghandour (14. Ollie Bray), 25. Rollin Menayese, 27. James Henry ( 11. Ryan Jones).
Unused subs: 1. Jordi Van Stappershoef, 17. Aaron Jones
Maidenhead lineup: 13. Craig Ross, 5. Kevin Lokko, 6. Thierry Latty-Fairweather, 8. Nathan Ferguson, 11. Jayden Mitchell-Lawson ( 70′ 7. Ruben Carvalho), 15. Joshua Johnson (38′ 12. Bradley Keetch) ,16. Casey Pettit (80′ 9. Shawn McCoulsky), 17. Reece Smith, 19. Owen Cochrane (70′ 22. Miles Welch-Hayes), 23. Tristan Abrahams, 24. Alan Massey (C).
Unused subs:1. Harvey Collins, 4. Will De Havilland, 32. Joseph Ajose.
