The Shots were victorious in their inaugural National League Cup fixture against Derby U21s, winning 3-0 at the EBB Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The first chance of the game ended in a goal for the Shots in the 18th minute. Olly Scott got past multiple Derby defenders before playing a low ball across goal, which bounced off an opposing player and straight into the path of Ryan Jones, who turned in from six yards.
Derby U21s had their first shot of the match 21 minutes in. An initial cross was headed clear but only as far as Jake Rooney, who dragged it wide of the net.
Just after the half hour mark, the Shots doubled their lead. Scott was once again on hand to provide a cross into the box which was met by Aaron Jones at the back post, who’s first time finish found the back of the net.
Shortly before the break, the visitors had another chance to get one back. Cruz Allen skipped past Christian Maghoma before unleashing a powerful shot but his effort sailed over the bar.
HALF TIME
The first chance of the second half came from the Rams in the 46th minute. A through ball fell into the path of Dajaune Brown, who sent his shot just wide of the post.
In the 59th minute, the Shots made it 3-0. Hady Ghandour got a slight touch on a misplaced pass in the Derby penalty area after they tried to play out from the back, which found Ryan Jones who grabbed his second of the game.
11 minutes later, the home side continued to dominate and almost made it four. A ball out wide from James Henry found Scott who managed to keep it in play before finding Kai Corbett whose deflected shot went just wide of the post.
Almost immediately after, the Shots had another chance once again. The ball fell to Ghandour who tried to find the bottom corner of the goal but it was saved by Harley Price.
In the 80th minute, the visitors had a close chance to get a consolation goal but Jordi Van Stappershoef, who had a quiet evening did well to deny a powerful strike from Brown.
The Shots managed to see out the rest of the game without any drama, picking up three points and keeping a clean sheet.
Attendance – 190
Shots lineup – 1. Jordi Van Stappershoef, 2. Lachlan Byrd (46’ 6. Theo Widdrington), 5. Christian Maghoma, 9. Kai Corbett, 11. Ryan Jones, 17. Aaron Jones ( C) (70’ 24. Maxwell Mullins), 18. Olly Scott, 22. Jack Barham (58’ 23. Hady Ghandour), 27. James Henry (79’ 36. Billy Walsh), 32. Emmanuel Maja (46’ 7. Cameron Hargreaves), 35. Dan Ellison
Unused subs – 28. Marcus Dewhurst (GK), 33. Morgan Elliot.
Derby U21s lineup – 1. Harley Price, 2. Max Bardell (C ) ,3. Tristan Gill, 4. Jake Rooney (62’ 12. Riley Moloney) , 5. Adisa Osayande (79’ 16. Charles Ebuka) , 6. Keilen Robinson, 7. Tom Barkhuizen (46’ 15. Jack Perry) , 8. Liam Thompson (46’ 18. Harry Hawkins) , 9. Dajaune Brown, 10. Alex Stepien-Iwumene (61’ 17. Owen Eames), 11. Cruz Allen.
Unused subs – 13. Jack Thompson (GK), 14. Morten Spencer.
