In the first of four home games Aldershot are in town as Gary Johnson’s men return to Plainmoor under the floodlights.
Who’s the Boss?
Ross McNeilly is currently in interim charge following the departure of Mark Molesley, and Terry Brown having now returned to his Head of Football Operations role. McNeilly is also Aldershot Town’s Academy Manager, with his first solo game in charge of the first team being Saturday’s 3-0 win at Dorking Wanderers.
How have they been doing?
The Shots started the campaign slowly winning one and losing five of their opening six matches, before two wins from their next three games steadied the ship. However no wins in their next five including an FA Cup exit at the hands of National League South Chelmsford Town spelled the end for manager Mark Molesley. Aldershot come into this game having won the last three since Molesley’s departure with the last two being away from the Recreation Ground, and they currently sit in 14th position with 20 points from their 16 games.
Player to watch
Inih Effiong joined the Shots from Woking in the Summer and so far in his 16 appearances has scored five goals, with his latest being the opening goal in their 3-0 win at Dorking on Saturday. Effiong has played for a number of clubs since he began at St.Albans City back in 2008, including Boreham Wood and Chesham United in his early career. In 2015 the 31 year old started a two year stay with Biggleswade Town where in just 68 league games he scored 39 goals. Spells at Barrow, Woking, Ross County Dover and Stevenage followed before he returned to Woking last season and scored 13 goals in 40 matches.
Played for both
Corie Andrews came through the youth ranks at Crystal Palace and upon his release joined Whyteleafe for the 2019/20 season, before moving onto Kingstonian. AFC Wimbledon were his next club but injuries kept him out before he was sent to Aldershot on loan where he scored nine goals in 20 league appearances, and upon that loan finishing he went to Colchester United. Andrews was signed by United in the Summer and is currently coming back from an injury picked up recently.
Previous Encounter
Torquay United 4 – 0 Aldershot Town, 22nd March 2022, National League.
Gary Johnson’s side produced a stunning performance at Plainmoor, as they outclassed Aldershot by winning 4-0, that coming after United had raced into a 3-0 lead courtesy of goals from Dean Moxey, Stephen Wearne and an own goal from Bradley Webb inside half an hour, with Connor Lemonheigh-Evans extending that imposing lead just after the change of ends to seal a wonderful night for the Yellow Army to savour.