Aldershot fell to defeat in Wrexham as they were unable to stop one of the division’s best sides. Paul Mullin and James Jones scored in the first-half and despite growing into the game in the second-half, The Shots were unable to find the back of the net as Inih Effiong hit the bar in the closing stages.
Wrexham saw the first chance of the game in the ninth minute after what was a cagey start to proceedings from both sides. Ollie Palmer headed narrowly over from a corner.
Luca Ashby-Hammond returned to The Shots side following illness and pulled off a fantastic save to keep the tie goalless not long later. Elliot Lee curled an effort headed for the top corner from long-range which was fantastically denied by the Shots stopper.
Ben Tozer almost gave the hosts the lead in unlikely, audacious circumstances when he surprisingly popped up on the end of a long-ball hoof with a fantastic first touch and almost an even better second touch as he chipped it over Ashby-Hammond, only for the ball to head wide.
But Wrexham did have the lead in the 28th minute. Paul Mullin raced clear from another long-ball over the top and dinked it over Ashby-Hammond.
The hosts certainly set up to cause chaos with long balls into the box and were rewarded with a second in the 38th minute. A scramble in the box resulted in Paul Mullin powering a shot towards goal which was bundled in by James Jones.
Aldershot ended the first-half brightly as they looked for a route back into the game. A quick counter attack saw Justin Amaluzor break free down the right wing but his cross was blocked. Tommy Willard tried his luck from distance but the ball bounced straight into Mark Howard’s arms.
HALF-TIME
There was a chance at either end within minutes of the second 45 kicking off. First, Ollie Palmer should have done better from close range as he blasted over for Wrexham before Frank Vincent advanced and kept going until his shot from outside the box was saved.
The end to end action continued as Tyler Cordner headed clear off the line following a Wrexham attack for The Shots to counter and whilst a ball through to Justin Amaluzor was too long, Tommy Willard received the ball after a defensive mistake but his shot was saved.
Aldershot began to show glimpses of their best as the game drew to a close. They saw a fair share of possession and began creating chances – although to no reward. Frank Vincent with the best opportunities with two close-range efforts blasted over the bar.
The Shots best move of the game saw Justin Amaluzor come close. Some neat passing and counter-pressing ended with the winger blasting just over the bar but the assistant referee’s flag was raised anyway.
And their best chance of the game fell in the 90th minute. Another neat exchange of passes ended with Inih Effiong hitting the bar with a left-footed strike from close range.
Shots lineup: 1. Luca Ashby-Hammond, 2. Archie Davies, 3. Ollie Harfield, 4. Joe Partington (c) (20. Michael Klass 60′), 5. Tyler Cordner, 7. Justin Amaluzor, 8. Frank Vincent, 9 Inih Effiong, 22. Giles Phillips, 23. Ryan Glover (33. Alex MacAllister 83′), 27. Tommy Willard (18. Ody Alfa 57′). Subs not used: 16. Corey Jordan, 21. Ben Shroll.
