Aldershot Town’s FA Cup run came to an end in the third round at the Hawthorns, as Championship side West Brom got the better of Tommy Widdrington’s side in a 4-1 victory.
Ahead of the game at the Hawthorns Tommy Widdrington was forced into two changes to his eleven, Haji Mnoga out through international duty was replaced by Ryan Glover on the right of the back five, and Josh Stokes missed out through suspension as Theo Widdrington returned to the starting eleven in his place.
West Brom have won the FA Cup five times, and been in a further five finals, and took the lead with less than 10 minutes on the clock. The Shots were unlocked down the Baggies right, and former Chelsea player Nathaniel Chalobah was on hand to send the ball high into the top left corner past Jordi Van Stappershoef in the Shots net following a cut back.
Aldershot then shot themselves in the foot to gift Baggies goal two and three. Cian Harries slipped on the ball, allowing Jovan Malcom in behind into an empty gap, a chance he converted to give West Brom a 2-0 lead. Defending also against the sun cost the Shots for the third goal, Stuart O’Keefe unable to clear the ball from danger with the sun in his eyes, heading the ball to Daryl Dike, who converted on the half volley from close range.
The best chance of the half for Aldershot came from Jack Barham, he had a half chance deflected out and behind for a corner kick but nothing more came of the chance. As you would expect, West Brom were the better side in the first half, and went into the interval three goals ahead.
HALF TIME: West Brom 3-0 Shots
The Shots started the better of the two sides on the ball in the second half, but were unable to make any dent into the lead. Tyler Frost had a claim for a penalty disregarded by referee Anthony Backhouse, but other than that the Shots did little to trouble Josh Griffiths in the Baggies goal.
Despite being 3-0 down the Shots were still giving the game a good go, and Tyler Frost had the best chance of the game for Aldershot after he got on the end of an Ollie Harfield cross with an effortt that was deflected behind for a corner.
Theo Widdrington had made his first start since injury for the Shots today, and his race was run in the 60th minute, as he came off in place of Tommy Willard. Aldershot continued to play well until their next sub, as captain Stuart O’Keefe made way for Kwame Thomas, with Aldershot searching for a goal to go home with.
Lorent Tolaj forced Josh Griffiths into a good save with just over 10 minutes left on the clock, geting the ball from Tyler Frost on his right foot, sending an effort high towards the top left of Griffiths goal but seeing his effort saved.
Tommy Widdrington made two more changes with 5 to go, a positive one as Aaron Jones returned in place of Ryan Glover, and Ollie Bray made a second cameo off the bench in a row as he came on in place of Jack Barham up front.
Albion would have a fourth with the game almost over, as Tom Fellows beat the offside trap and raced through in behind the defence, eventually turning Ollie Harfield before slotting beyond Jordi Van Stappershoef to extend West Brom’s lead to four.
The nearly 5,000 travelling Shots were not to go home empty handed though, as late into added time Ollie Bray got his first goal for the club to give Aldershot something to celebrate late into added time. The support for the Shots all through this season has been wonderful, reflected by the fans staying to cheer Aldershot players and coaches off the pitch despite the score line.
Shots XI
- Jordi Van Stappershoef, 3. Ollie Harfield, 4. Cian Harries, 5. Coby Rowe, 6. Theo Widdrington (27. Tommy Willard, 60′), 7. Stuart O’Keefe (C) (39. Kwame Thomas, 72′), 8. Tyler Frost, 9. Lorent Tolaj, 11. Ryan Glover (17. Aaron Jones, 85′) , 18. Olly Scott, 22. Jack Barham (14. Ollie Bray, 85′)
Unused subs
38. Finlay Westen, 20. Joe Haigh, 21. Ethan Burnett, 24. Maxwell Mullins, 31. Oliver Turner
