The Shots defeated Southend United in what was a brilliant afternoon for the hosts. Goals from Justin Amaluzor and Corey Jordan either side of half-time saw all three points remain in Aldershot.
Southend saw the first chance of the game within the first five minutes. A corner lead to a couple of chances and a bit of a scramble in The Shots box but Ryan Glover was able to produce a block on the line with Luca Ashby-Hammond gathering the ball from a close-range header.
Aaron Cosgrave shot on the turn after a deep free-kick from out wide was headed back into the danger zone. The shot looped high and wide of the Aldershot goal, however.
The game was mainly played in the middle third and though neither team could take control of the game, the visitors perhaps had the higher share of possession. The Shots were keen to counter with a pacey front line and did just that as half-time loomed.
Southend’s defence was brilliantly pressed and Justin Amaluzor was the benefactor as he raced away into the box and calmly finished into the bottom corner to give The Shots the lead.
The goal seemed to give Aldershot some confidence and they began to attack with a bit more freedom. Just before half-time, Ody Alfa turned his marker brilliantly and with plenty of space just outside the box, forced Collin Andeng-Ndi into a good save.
HALF-TIME
The Shots continued their momentum into the second-half as they doubled their lead within the first three minutes. Ollie Harfield delivered an inviting free-kick from the left wing and Corey Jordan rose highest to head home his first goal of the season!
Aldershot should have had a third just after the hour had it not been for a fantastic save from Collin Andeng-Ndi. Amaluzor was played in down the left and his early, low cross found Tommy Willard who was brilliantly denied at point-blank range.
It was a rather quiet game for Luca Ashby-Hammond who must have been frozen in a short sleeve shirt but he was certainly sharp enough to come up big for his side when needed. Wesley Fonguck curled a shot towards the top corner but Ashby-Hammond dived to his left at full stretch to deny the midfielder.
The Shots continued to look dangerous on the break and Ody Alfa almost gave his side a third goal on another incisive breakaway. With plenty of space down the right wing he advanced and launched a powerful shot at goal that was just too high.
Ben Shroll and Giles Phillips were brought on to sure up the defence and whilst Southend did look to press forward in the closing stages, Aldershot’s clean sheet never really looked in too much danger.
Shots lineup: 1. Luca Ashby-Hammond, 2. Archie Davies (21. Ben Shroll 85′), 3. Ollie Harfield, 4. Joe Partington (c) (22. Giles Phillips 81′), 5. Tyler Cordner, 7. Justin Amaluzor, 8. Frank Vincent, 16. Corey Jordan, 18 Ody Alfa, 23. Ryan Glover (20. Michael Klass 73′), 27. Tommy Willard. Subs not used: 31. Ben De Lacy-Turner, 33. Alex MacAllister.
