Aldershot Town secured a second home victory in four days as Cameron Hargreaves, Aaron Jones and Ryan Jones provided a trio of first-half goals that eventually proved enough against an out-of-form Solihull Moors side.
Tommy Widdrington made just one change to Saturday’s crucial victory over Hartlepool United, with Christian Maghoma coming in for Luke Jenkins in defence. Solihull came into the tie in a better league position, but were still searching for their first victory under new boss Matty Taylor.
The Shots began the fixture in impeccable style. Early pressure earned a corner just seconds after the opening whistle, resulting in Cameron Hargreaves scoring a magnificent volley into the top-left corner from just inside the penalty area, a third in four games for the midfielder.
Circumstance would prevent the home side from immediately building on their momentum, as a clash of shoulders left Olly Scott requiring treatment shortly after the opener, leading to a lengthy stoppage in play.
When play continued, another chance presented itself on the quarter hour mark. Ryan Jones receiving a pass from namesake Aaron on the right flank, before cutting in and firing a left-footed strike off the post from a similar position to the opener.
This combination would bear fruit shortly after, however, as Ryan Jones’ cross found Aaron Jones in the six-yard box, who buried home another volley to complete a ferocious start for the hosts.
With the tie already at risk of getting away from them, the Moors produced their first shot in anger after the restart. Loanee Szhem Whyte-Hall struck from the edge of the box, requiring a strong hand from Marcus Dewhurst.
After a Josh Barrett free-kick was successfully blocked by the West Midlanders’ wall, Solihull would continue to threaten a comeback. However, a strong block from Christian Maghoma would extinguish the away side’s closest chance of the half.
Defence would empathically turn into attack, though, as a pinpoint Luca Woodhouse pass from deep inside his own half found Ryan Jones in behind the Moors’ back-line. A composed touch to the keepers right allowed the 22-year-old to pass the ball into the net for Shots’ third.
A dream first-half would be marred only by Olly Scott eventually succumbing to the injury sustained in the early stages, being forcibly replaced by Emmanuel Maja just before the break.
HALF-TIME
The trailing Moors came out strong in the strong in the second-half, with substitute Fletcher Holman forcing another save from Dewhurst.
As often is the case with first-halves of such magnitude, the following 45 took a while to get going. Ryan Jones and Josh Barrett linked up well after the hour mark, with the latter producing a 25-yard strike destined for the bottom left corner, had it not been for a fingertip save from Oliver Wright.
Having just come on, a defensive ricochet would allow Brad Dolaghan a fine chance from the edge of the area, and despite being hit true, unfortunately fell wide of the mark.
The visitors would eventually find the net through Fletcher Holman. Having looked dangerous since coming on, the Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee pounced on a misplaced header, slotting away for 3-1 on the 70-minute mark.
However, before nerves could begin to settle in for the Shots, they were granted a significant advantage via Conor Wilinkson, whose combination of foul and dissent would see him receive two cards in succession, leaving Matty Taylor’s side with ten men.
Widdrington was in great voice as he encouraged his side as they saw out another vital three points at the EBB. With results elsewhere proving favourable, it was unsurprising that East Bank was equally tuneful at full-time. Final score 3-1.
Attendance: 1603 (46 Away)
Shots lineup: 28. Marcus Dewhurst, 5. Christian Maghoma, 7. Cameron Hargreaves (19. Brad Dolaghan 73′), 8. Tyler Frost, 10. Josh Barrett (9. Kai Corbett 84′), 11. Ryan Jones, 17. Aaron Jones (C), 18. Olly Scott (32. Emmanuel Maja, 43), 22. Jack Barham (24. Maxwell Mullins 87′), 33. Luca Woodhouse, 36. Will Armitage.
Subs not used: 1. Jordi van Stappershoef, 35. Dan Ellison, 40. Zion Nditi.
Solihull lineup: 21. Oliver Wright, 2. James Clarke (C), 7. Jack Stevens, 10. Conor Wilkinson, 12. Marcel Oakley, 15. John Bostock (35. Ethan Sutherland 88′), 16. Oliver Tipton (5. Alex Whitmore 40′), 19. Jordan Tunnicliffe, 28. Jack Wells-Morrison, 33. Timothy Akinola (14. Bradley Stevenson 82′), 38. Szhem Whyte-Hall (20. Fletcher Holman 39′)
Subs not used: 13. Aaron Flahavan, 3. Joe Newton, 25. Kian Ryley.
