The first chance of the game came early on as James Henry was presented with an opportunity in the third minute as the East bank broke into a chorus of ‘Oh Tommy Tommy’ in support of Tommy Widdrington who was taken ill last week, but unfortunately, Henry uncharacteristically ballooned his shot over the bar.
A lot of hard work had gone into getting today’s game on by the Shots’ volunteers but the weather didn’t make for ideal football conditions. The Shots were playing some decent football at times, though, and a delightful through ball from Josh Barrett was perfectly weighted for Jack Barham whose shot from the edge of the area was blocked.
Wealdstone’s first chance came in the 12th minute, as Henry Sandat fired a dangerous, low cross across the face of the Shots’ goal that Alex Reid couldn’t get onto the end of under significant pressure from Lachlan Byrd.
If anyone was going to light up the adverse conditions, it would be Josh Barrett and his neat touch was part of a sharp one-two with Ashley Akpan who found James Henry in the box only for Henry’s shot to go straight into the welcome arms of Toby Steward in the 20th minute.
Aldershot’s first shot on target was quickly followed by Wealdstone’s as four minutes later, Alex Reid’s low shot was well met by Jordi van Stappershoef who did well to ensure his save was palmed away from Henry Sandat waiting to pounce on the rebound.
Dan Ellison was sent off in the league meeting between the two sides a month ago but came close to scoring the opener as he met Josh Barrett’s free-kick in the 34th minute. Launching himself at the ball, it could have been his head, foot or any other body part that turned the ball just over the bar.
Van Stappershoef pulled off another smart stop just before half-time to ensure the sides went into the break goalless as he stuck out a leg at full stretch to deny Sandat’s effort.
HALF-TIME
Aldershot flew out of the blocks for the second-half and could have taken the lead after just 18 seconds as James Henry sent Jack Barham through on goal, but Barham’s powerful shot was turned behind for a corner by Steward.
A Wealdstone corner caused problems for the Shots defence as the ball flashed past the post in the 49th minute but just a minute later, the Shots took the lead up the other end.
Josh Barrett, captaining the side, received the ball in the Wealdstone area and worked some space before placing a low shot into the bottom corner with Steward rooted to the spot.
But the visitors levelled the game just five minutes later. Elliot Thorpe found Kallum Cesay from the right and the Stones’ midfielder found the back of the net.
Josh Barrett came close to a second as he dragged a shot wide following some more good football from the Shots but after being withdrawn not long later passed the armband on to Aaron Jones who was able to ensure that both of today’s Shots skippers found themselves on the scoresheet in the 68th minute with a fantastic goal.
A short corner found it’s way to Jones 25-yards out and he fired a brilliant shot past everyone in the box to regain the Shots’ lead.
Jonny Stuttle was introduced in the 74th minute for his Shots debut and just seven minutes later was inches away from a debut goal after an inviting, deep cross from Tyler Frost. Luckily Maxwell Mullins was at the back-post to turn the ball in, but unluckily, the Assistant Referee’s flag was raised and the goal did not stand.
Mullins did have his goal in the 90th minute, however, after brilliant work from Stuttle to force a defensive mistake and Mullins raced on to the short pass back to fire under Steward and wrap up victory for the Shots who advanced into the Fourth Round of the FA Trophy.
Attendance: 1172 (140 Away)
Shots lineup: 1. Jordi van Stappershoef, 2 Lachlan Byrd, 7 Cameron Hargreaves, 10 Josh Barrett (C) (8. Tyler Frost, 66′), 11. Ryan Jones, 18. Olly Scott (17. Aaron Jones, 61′), 21. Ashley Akpan, 22. Jack Barham (19. Jonny Stuttle, 74′), 27. James Henry (24. Maxwell Mullins, 66′), 34. Dejan Tetek (9. Kai Corbett, 90+5′), 35. Dan Ellison.
Subs not used: 28. Marcus Dewhurst, 4. Luke Jenkins.
Wealdstone lineup: 31. Toby Steward, 2. Jack Cook (C), 3. Anthony Georgiou, 7. Enzio Boldewijn (4. Deonysus Woodman, 61′), 21. Kallum Cesay, 22. Alex Reid (20. Samuel Ashford, 46′), 23. Jaydn Mundle-Smith, 24. Henry Sandat (14. Micah Obiero, 70′), 25. Jack Wells-Morrison, 26. Elliot Thorpe, 27. Joshua Grant (10. Max Kretzschmar, 63′).
Subs not used: 19. Adrian Mariappa, 30. James Hillson, 32. Brandon Mason.
