Aldershot Town v Sutton United Match Preview – Monday 27th August 2018
BBC Surrey’s Rob Worrall previews our August Bank Holiday clash at home to Sutton United.
After the first of two matches over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Aldershot Town slipped into the bottom four of the National League with a 3-1 defeat at Ebbsfleet United. They played their part in a lively, open, attacking game and even took a seventh minute lead when Matt McClure deftly headed home Luke Wanadio’s perfectly placed cross. However, despite a tenacious and determined attacking display that might well have yielded further goals for Wanadio, Dan Holman and substitute Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong, Gary Waddock’s men left too many gaps at the back and were made to pay by a strong Ebbsfleet side. Shots stopper Jake Cole pulled off a string of top quality saves but was unable to keep out two Shaun Shields strikes and a cool finish from Andy Drury.
On Monday, The Shots return to the EBB Stadium to take on fifth placed Sutton United, who drew 0-0 at home to AFC Fylde on Saturday.
Shots Squad:
Town manager Gary Waddock will still be without Hull City loanee goalkeeper Will Mannion, who has a quad injury, so the Shots boss has brought in Zaki Oualah on a short-term deal as cover. All Waddock’s current injuries are defence based. George Fowler suffered a reaction to a recent injury following the Harrogate defeat and skipper Karleigh Osborne remains side-lined with an Achilles problem. Marvin McCoy is yet to make his Shots debut having been out injured since pre-season.
Opposition:
Name: Sutton United
Founded: 1898
Nickname: The U’s
Manager: Paul Doswell
Stadium: Gander Green Lane
2017/18 National League position: 3rd
Brief History:
The club was formed in March 1898 through the amalgamation of two leading junior sides, Sutton Association and Sutton Guild Rovers. In 1910, they sought Senior status as members of the Southern Suburban League and played at several local grounds in the years prior to the First World War.
The Gaffer:
Paul Doswell was appointed in May 2008 after leading Eastleigh to three consecutive promotions, taking them from the Wessex League to the Conference South and was named BBC South Sports Personality of the Year in 2006. He took Sutton to the play-offs in his first two seasons in charge, before winning the Ryman League title in 2011. In 2015-16, he repeated that success in the National League South and oversaw the club’s best ever performance in the FA Cup during the 2016-17 season. Last season he led the U’s to 3rd place in the National League, only to lose to Borehamwood in a play-off eliminator.
Outgoings:
Fifteen players left Gander Green Lane during the close season, among them, long serving duo Craig Dundas and Simon Downer. Louis John moved up to the EFL with Cambridge United and a trio of players dropped down a level to ambitious Billericay Town; Simon Walton, Moses Emmanuel and Adam Coombes. Former Shot Ross Worner has also left the U’s, joining Chelmsford on a season long loan.
Incomings:
Doswell kept thirteen of his squad, including the strong spine of Goalkeeper Jamie Butler, Skipper Jamie Collins, midfielders Kenny Davis and Nicky Bailey, plus ex-Shots loanee Ross Lafayette, who scored against Aldershot in the final league game of last season. Six new players arrived at Gander Green Lane, including defenders Dan Wishart and Dale Bennett (both from Forest Green Rovers) and Charlie Clough (Barnet). Exciting young striker Jonah Ayunga signed following his release from Brighton & Hove Albion but is yet to make a start due to a pre-season injury.
Referee:
Bank Holiday Monday’s referee is Carl Brook, who will be taking charge of his fourth National League match of the season. Last term, he took the middle in 22 National League matches, showing 82 Yellow Cards and 9 Red Cards. He refereed Aldershot Town twice – the away wins at Bromley and Woking. Over this season and last, Brook has shown an incredible 11 Red cards in just 25 matches!!
Commentary:
BBC Surrey Sports Rob Worrall and a current Shots player will be covering the game live on Monday afternoon. Tune in to the BBC Sport website (or the BBC Sport App) from 2:50pm for full match commentary. To interact, tweet @RobShot66
