Aldershot Town reached the semi-final stage of the Isuzu FA Trophy for just the third time since reformation, avoiding upset by ending eighth-tier Sittingbourne FC’s historic run in the competition.
A sell-out Staxson Stadium was in great voice from the off, in what was inarguably the biggest game in Sittingbourne’s 139-year history.
Despite the divisional disparity, Tommy Widdrington ensured to give the hosts his utmost respect, with just one change to the eleven that started Tuesday’s National League win against Solihull Moors, Theo Widdrington coming in for Olly Scott.
The Shots controlled possession early on, with the host’s pragmatic game plan evident from the outset. Jack Barham produced the first shot in anger towards the ten minute mark, collecting an audacious long ball from Josh Barrett, cutting in from the left to fire over the bar.
The Brickies would respond quickly, however, as a determined drive into a congested Shots penalty area resulted in a speculative cross-cum-shot that failed to trouble Marcus Dewhurst.
Aldershot continued to dominate attacking output, an impressive left-footed cross from Tyler Frost asked serious questions of the opposition defenders, who did well to deal with the danger.
The Shots would receive a scare on the 25-minute mark as forward Joe Boachie looked destined to find the target. A turning volley was blocked at close range, prompting cries of handball from the surrounding home support, to no avail.
A procession of home corners would signify Aldershot’s initial control was waning. With the home ground growing more excitable by the minute, the hosts would have been in on the break if not for a fantastic last-ditch tackle from Will Armitage.
It would be the side from Kent who would produce the best chance of the first forty minutes, breaking down the right-wing, a driven low ball drifted across the six-yard-box, with Boachie failing to get a toe to it.
With half-time beckoning, the visitors would eventually break the deadlock. A tremendous display of hold-up play allowed Jack Barham to drive in the penalty area via the left-channel, squaring the ball to a late-arriving Ryan Jones, who took a composed touch before firing into the roof of Roco Rees’ net for an exceedingly hard-earned 1-0 lead.
HALF-TIME
The second-half started much like the first, as Aldershot looked comfortable in possession once more. Ryan Jones avoided several Brickies challenges on the right before chipping the ball into Theo Widdrington, whose cushioned header allowed Josh Barrett to strike from the edge of the box, deflected wide.
A flurry of free-kicks in the Shots’ favour would raise the decibel level of a frustrated home crowd, as the fixture was beginning to be contested almost exclusively in Sittingbourne’s half.
Will Armitage and Christian Maghoma’s assuredness at the back would largely quell a Brickies resurgence towards the hour-mark. However, Sittingbourne’s resolve would grow thereafter, entering the Shot’s penalty area thrice in quick succession, though failing to produce an effort on either occasion.
With the wind beginning to set in, a Richie Hamill corner almost went all the way in to Max Dewhurst’s goal, forcing a save from the Shots’ number 28.
Sittingbourne would put the ball in the back of the net, though an expertly timed offside-trap rendered Troy Howard’s dinked finish redundant.
With the home side now in full belief that an upset could be salvaged, Aldershot would double the lead with imperative timing. Josh Barrett’s corner found the head of Will Armitage from extremely close range, nodding home to compound the hosts’ misery. The goal was befitting of a standout performance from the Southampton loanee.
The Brickies would continue fighting, as match-management became the task at hand. However, the result was secured on the 88th minute, as Tyler Frost found space on the edge of the box, his low drive finding the bottom left corner, and securing the Shots’ place in the hat for the final-four.
Attendance: 1,300 (195 Away)
Sittingbourne lineup: 1. Roco Rees, 2. Donvieve Jones, 3. Bagasan Graham, 4. Richie Hamill, 5. Liam Smith, 6. Chris Arthur, 7. Troy Howard, 8. Ayman El-Mogharbel (17. Mitch May 81′), 9. Joe Boachie, 10. Ryan Kingsford (12. Jay Beckford 85′), 11. Henry Lukombo (16. Ade Azeez 81′).
Subs not used: 14. Codey Cosgrove, 15. Henry Sinai, 18. Jack Steventon.
Shots lineup: 28. Marcus Dewhurst, 5. Christian Maghoma, 6. Theo Widdrington, 7. Cameron Hargreaves, 8. Tyler Frost, 10. Josh Barrett (24. Maxwell Mullins 77′), 11. Ryan Jones (19. Brad Dologhan 90′), 17. Aaron Jones (C), 22. Jack Barham (9. Kai Corbett 90′), 33. Luca Woodhouse, 36. Will Armitage.
Subs not used: 1. Jordi van Stappershoef, 3. Ollie Harfield, 35. Dan Ellison, 40. Zion Nditi.
