Tommy Widdrington was held in his opening game in the dugout, as Tyler Corner’s 50th minute header was cancelled out by Callum Harriott to give the Shots a point in a 1-1 draw against Yeovil.
It was a cagey opening to Widdrington’s first game as Shots manager, as was to be expected with a game with National League status potentially on the line. The early possession was mostly falling to Yeovil, with the side getting a large number of corners in the opening 20 in front of the travelling fans.
Aldershot had the first proper chance of the game in the 27th minute, as some good play found Josh McQuoid through on goal. McQuoid took his touch a bit wide, but still managed to force a good save out of Grant Smith, and his parry away from the goal was just out of the reach of Tahvon Campbell who was striding into the box.
The game was becoming about defensive solidity for the Shots, as Yeovil were enjoying more of the ball heading into half time. The Shots did have a half chance at the Yeovil end, but Joe Partington placed Ryan Glover’s cutback wide of Grant Smith’s net.
It was a notably impressive first half from Shots midfielder Henry Ochieng, who seemed like he was all over the park winning the ball back for the shots in the opening 45.
Just before the interval the Shots came agonisingly close to scoring, as some fine work from Josh McQuoid and Ryan Glover meant the latter was able to put a low ball towards the edge of the box. Ollie Harfield was coming onto it from fullback, but on his weaker right foot Harfield got the shot all wrong and it was cleared by Yeovil.
HALF TIME: Shots 0-0 Yeovil
Aldershot started the second half well and took the lead within five minutes of the restart. Ollie Harfield whipped in a dangerous corner, and Tyler Cordner rose highest to head the ball in from the corner, giving the Shots the lead after 50 minutes.
The momentum was with the Shots following the goal, and Aldershot had a great chance to double their lead moments later. Ryan Glover whipped a ball in towards Tahvon Campbell and Josh McQuoid, but a four man jump for the ball resulted in the ball being cleared.
However, despite the Shots playing the better of the sides to start the second half, Yeovil got a goal back. Following a Shots corner, the ball was hit forwards for Maguire-Drew, who played Matt Worthington around the back of the Shots defence, and he played the ball across for Callum Harriott, who taped in to level the game.
Following the goal, Aldershot mate a change, and Joe Partington was replaced by Justin Amaluzor in an attacking move by Wirddrington. Before anything could really get going, Shots were forced into another change, as Michael Klass came on to replace Josh McQuoid, who had gone down injured.
Yeovil were beginning to grow back into the game following their equaliser, so Widdrington made a final change and Jack Barham made way for Jake Hutchinson.
Justin Amaluzor almost sent the EBB into raptures in 84th minute, as some good work from Tahvon Campbell meant Amaluzor was in a position to pull the trigger from range, and Amaluzor rattled the crossbar from outside the box.
2 minutes later, Shots were given a penalty, after Tahvon Campbell was taken down in the box. Jake Hutchinson stepped up, and fired his penalty over the crossbar in the 87th minute.
With nine minutes added on the game could have gone either way, but nothing could split the sides, as Shots were held to a point at the EBB.
Shots team: 1. Luca Ashby-Hammond, 3. Ollie Harfield, 4. Joe Partington (c) (7. Justin Amaluzor, 65’), 5. Tyler Cordner, 9. Tahvon Campbell, 10. Josh McQuoid (20. Michael Klass, 69’), 16. Corey Jordan, 18. Henry Ochieng, 22. Haji Mnoga, 23. Ryan Glover, 30. Jack Barham (17. Jake Hutchinson, 75), Unused subs: 36. Lloyd Thomas, 15. Jai Rowe
