In a game that saw very little first half action and a flurry of incidents in the second, the Shots found themselves worse off falling to a fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions. A fortuitous second-half goal that was credited to stand out Wrexham midfielder, Dominic Vose was enough to earn Wrexham the three points.
The Shots line up saw two changes to the last outing at Bradford, with Barker making his first appearance of the season for Luke Oliver who is suffering a hip injury, and Damon Lathrope made way for Jake Gallagher who returned from his suspension.
The first opportunity came for the Shots, with Wrexham defender Fyfield slipping on the half way line allowing Dan Walker to pounce and drive down the right channel. Walker pulled the wall back to Cheye Alexander who whipped the ball into the box only to a Wrexham head which cleared into the path of Gallagher who shot hard and high from around 25 yards out.
Within the first ten minutes, Dan Walker was involved in three other moves which culminated in him crossing into the Wrexham area but unable to find a red shirt.
Vose was heavily involved in everything that Wrexham were creating at the other end, working neatly with Newton and Jennings in both the short, sharp passing moves and cross-field balls. The same story was true for Wrexham though, with all that they were involved with culminating in any clear chances. Phil Smith having to do no more than to collect the occasional cross and to take goal kicks.
The first half was overall a very timid affair, resulting in only a handful of half-chances and snatched opportunities.
HT: Aldershot Town 0-0 Wrexham
The Shots kicked off towards the East-Bank for the second-half began which was to become a much more eventful half.
As the first half began with a slip, so did the second. This time, it was Omar Beckles who became victim of the loose turf, and it was Barker who paid for it as he tried to track back onto Vose who pounced on the error, picking up a yellow for his troubles.
Five minutes in, the Shots began to create some chances. Pressure from Stevenson forced a corner from the Wrexham defence which resulted in a good header from Beckles which was smartly saved by Belford. Two minutes later, Charlie Walker had a good opportunity blocked, falling to Brodie who could only fire wide.
The next golden opportunity fell to Evans for Wrexham, latching onto a flicked cross from York forcing an excellent diving save from Phil Smith in the Aldershot goal. As the ball was recycled into a follow up attack, another opportunity arose, and this one was capitalised upon.
Dominic Vose drove in down the left and his low-cross went through a sea of legs and somehow snuck in underneath Smith. Wes York claimed he got a touch on it, but it mattered not, the Shots were 1-0 down from a really disappointing half-chance that should’ve been dealt with. Full credit to Vose though, he’d been looking the most dangerous of Wrexham’s attacking options up to that point.
The next action saw a frustrated Jake Gallagher pick up a yellow card for a stretched challenge in a 50/50 that he was never going to win. The break in play saw Rhys Browne replace Sam Hatton to try and give the Shots more options going forward.
Six minutes later, Jake was in the book again. This time Fyfield beat him to the ball and Gallagher’s pace took him into contact. A soft foul to concede with Fyfield offering no threat to the Shots goal, however, one that meant Jake Gallagher received a third red card in as many consecutive games at the EBB that he was eligible to play in.
The frustrated Shots continued to press forward looking for an equaliser, with Rhys Browne’s introduction felt as he smartly skipped past a few yellow shirts and fed Brodie who was quickly closed down.
In the 77th minute a second change saw the quiet Charlie Walker make way for Dipo Akinyemi, but the 10 men Shots just couldn’t put enough pressure on the Wrexham side who were happy to roll down the last ten minutes of play. The frustration clear for all to see, and encapsulated by Sean McGinty taking a yellow card in the late stages for arguing with the referee one too many times…
As the last seconds of 4 minutes additional time played down, Stevenson found space in midfield to drive a shot from 30 yards but only wide across goal.
FT: Aldershot Town 0-1 Wrexham.
Attendance: 1,483 (215 away)
Shots: Smith, McGinty, Hatton, Stevenson, C.Walker, Alexander, Beckles, Gallagher, Brodie, Barker, D.Walker. Subs: Richards, Thomas, Browne, Akinyemi.
Wrexham: Beford, Newton, Smith, Hudson, Fyfield, Vose, Jennings, Moke, Carrington, Evans, York. Subs: Gray, Jackson, White, Sharpe, Caton.
Referee: Mr Constantine Hatkidakis
Assistant Referees: Mr Lee Forrester & Mr Jonathan Burridge
Fourth Official: Mr Gregory Read.
MoM: Chris Barker.
Match Sponsor: EBB
