Andrew Ellery reports from the EBB Stadium:
Last night the Aldershot academy team took on Clevedon Town FC in the FA Youth Cup. The Shots started well with the players taking control of the ball and looking to move it quickly around the pitch. After ten minutes Clevedon Town managed to find space down their right-hand side and work a shot on goal that was saved into a dangerous area but Clevedon Town’s Ethan Felton was most alert and slotted the ball into the back of the net. The academy side did not let the early slip up affect their concentration as they retained the ball and probed the defensive visiting side. As the half wore on the Shots looked the more likely to score out of the two sides and started to push more players forward. This left gaps at the back as both full backs pushed on and on the stroke of half time, a Clevedon counter attack saw Jack Sells provide a lethal finish which put the Shots 2-0 down.
Both sides re-emerged after the break and the Shots took the longer of the two sides to find their flow. With Clevedon soaking up pressure, they produced a goal from three passes as Ryan Jones found space on the left and his low cross found Felton who slotted home his second of the match. With fifteen minutes left in the match the Shots went down to 10 men after Ben Mandeville picked up a serious injury and had to be taken to hospital.
In the 80th minute the Shots pulled a goal back after some excellent wing play found Tyrell Smith inside the area and he slotted home with a composed finish. However, the match was wrapped up by Clevedon as they hit the Shots on the break with four players linking up well to allow Ryan Jones to finish past the keeper in the 90th minute.
Everyone at Aldershot would like to wish Ben a speedy recovery from his injury and we would also like to wish Clevedon Town the best of luck in the next round of the FA Youth Cup.
