Following five successive weekends at Plainmoor, United head to Hampshire to face Aldershot Town on Saturday afternoon.
With a quarter of the season still to be played, Gary Johnson’s side will be battling it out against The Shots for another vital three points as their quest to move up the National League table continues.
Who’s the Boss?
Ross McNeilly was appointed as Aldershot’s permanent First Team Manager last December having taken charge as interim boss following the departure of Mark Molesley in October. A well known figure at the club, McNeilly had previously spent five years at the EBB Stadium as the side’s Academy Manager.
During his interim period, Ross’ Shots won five out of eight fixtures, with the side also racking up four clean sheets in the process. McNeilly’s appointment sees him remain at the helm until the end of the 2022/23 campaign, with a view to extend.
How have they been doing?
One of three teams to have completed 35 games so far this season, The Shots currently reside in 17th on 38 points, accumulated through 11 wins, 5 draws and 19 defeats. With just the one league win out of their last five National League fixtures, Aldershot head into Saturday’s match on the back of three successive defeats against Barnet (4-1), Dagenham & Redbridge (2-1) and Wrexham (4-3). Last month also saw The Shots top goalscorer for the season, Inih Effiong depart the EBB Stadium to sign on at Dagenham & Redbridge, with the forwards goal tally being at 17 upon making the switch last month.
Player to Watch
Tommy Willard graduated from Aldershot’s academy system having previously been in the youth department at Barnsley. During his time with Aldershot’s Under-23 side, Willard scored 26 goals in 23 games.
After signing professional terms with the Hampshire side at the start of last season, Willard went on to establish himself as a key player for Aldershot and last March he extended his stay at the EBB Stadium, penning a deal which will see him remain with The Shots until the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.
The 22-year-old has since gone on to make over 50 appearances for Aldershot, including 33 so far this season. A striker by trade, Willard has also often been deployed on the wing, with the 22-year-old having scored 5 goals so far this season, with a goal in four games back-to-back in late October and early November, Willard will no doubt be looking to get another goalscoring run on the go.
Played for Both
Damon Lathrope established himself as a fan favourite at Plainmoor across two stints which saw him make 152 league appearances for United, during which the defensive midfielder played a significant part in two promotion attempts. He was a key component in the side which made the League Two Play-Off Final in 2011 and then helped the side get close to promotion once more in 2012. A spell at Aldershot Town separated his two spells on the English Riviera, when he spent two seasons with The Shots before making his Plainmoor return in 2016.
Lathrope’s career began in Norwich City’s academy in 2006 where, after two years, the midfielder went on to pen his first professional contract. During his career, Damon has also featured for the likes of Bishop’s Stortford and Hereford United on loan.
In January 2018, Damon made the switch to Surrey to join Woking, where injury forced the midfielder into early retirement. Now A UEFA A Licence holder, Damon spent time as Assistant Coach for Watford FC Women, before going on to be appointed as the sides Head Coach in June 2022.
Previous Encounter
Aldershot Town 1 – 4 Torquay United, 27 October 2020, National League.
In October 2020 it was Gary Johnson’s side who came from behind to take the points in a hard-fought victory at the EBB Stadium. After Craig Tanner gave the hosts the lead, a Ben Wynter strike ensured the game entered the halfway stage level. A quick start to the second half with goals from Danny Wright and Ben Whitfield giving the Gulls the advantage, Wright went on to make it 4-1 in the final moments of the game.
United began the game brightly, however in the 8th minute it was Aldershot who took the lead, seemingly against the run of play. Having dealt with a counter-attack down the right, a kind ricochet in the penalty box saw the ball fall into the path of Tanner who was able to fire home from eight yards out.
The setback unsettled United and the hosts were able to take control of the game with Aldershot creating a number of chances to double the advantage. However, on 43 minutes, Wynter struck to make it 1-1. The right-back sized up his options midway inside the Aldershot half, his deep cross from the right appeared to be too close to the goalkeeper, with Josh Umerah making his presence felt in front of Mitch Walker, a momentary misjudgement from the goalkeeper saw the ball go over his head and into the back of the net.
A now-confident United side were quick out of the blocks after half time and inside two minutes a cross into the box found Wright who directed his header goal-ward to put Gary Johnson’s side ahead. On 51 minutes it was 3-1. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans picked up the ball and drove towards a retreating defence, before playing the ball out to Whitfield on his left, his looped effort went over Walker and into the back of the net.
The game then opened up with both sides battling hard. However, just as it looked as though the scoring had come to an end, a long ball forward by Wynter found Wright in space, and although his right-footed volley initially struck the far-post, the rebound went back towards United’s striker who tapped home in the final minute of normal time to make it 4-1.
Aldershot Town v Torquay United | Saturday 4th March 2023, 3pm | National League | Official TUFC Radio |