It was a four goal thriller at the EBB Stadium as Aldershot Town crushed League One Portsmouth 4-0 in their penultimate pre-season friendly fixture.
With the new season ready to kick off in less than two weeks, The Shots were keen to secure another pre-season win under their belt and did so in a magnificent way.
A thrilling second half saw four goals in 10 minutes, courtesy of Trialist A, Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong and Alfy Whittingham, whilst Ethan Chislett put the final nail in the coffin in the 90th minute.
The North-Hampshire side caused issues for the Portsmouth keeper, Alex Bass, in the first half but were ultimately left disappointed when their efforts were blocked by Bass with impressive force.
The Shots made an impact in the evenly-matched first half following a lay-off by Alefe Santos to Connor Shields, whose drive stretched the goalmouth but skimmed the far-post.
But Pompey, who played in the League One Play-Off Semi-Final this year, had their chances, too, when Charlie Bell put a ball in the box, only for it to connect with the bar and just miss going in.
Trialist A, who had been causing problems for Pompey all game, began the goal spree in the 80th minute when a one-two with Whittingham resulted in the trialist shaping it effortlessly past the onrushing Bass.
Soon after, Whittingham secured the second with an emphatic finish whilst Berkeley-Agyepong rose above everyone to head in the third of the evening.
Deep into the 90th minute, Chislett dribbled around the box before a strong strike teased past Bass and found the net.
Although just a pre-season friendly, the tie was another opportunity for Searle to display the array of fresh faces he’d brought to the club in recent weeks.
An impressive display, both on and off the pitch, will no doubt be a promising indicator of what’s to come.
ALDERSHOT TOWN: Walker, Tinkler, Finney, Fowler (Kudyiwa 60), Kinsella, Rance, Rowe (Chislett 60), Santos (Berkeley-Agyepong 60), Panayiotou (Whittingham 69), Shields (Eyoma 69), Trialist A.
Subs: Hall, Woodward.
By Adele Matthews
