Aldershot Town suffered their first home league defeat of 2025 as Boston United collected a crucial 2-1 victory at the EBB Stadium on Tuesday evening. Second-half goals from James Gale and Jai Rowe cancelled out Tyler Frost’s opener just before the break in a closely contested tie that could have gone either way.
A heavily changed side from Saturday’s semi-final victory saw several members of Tommy Widdrington’s squad earning a well deserved evening off. Cameron Hargreaves, one a those few putting in a double shift, skippered the side in Aaron Jones’ absence.
The Pilgrims were the first to produce a shot in anger as Greg Sloggett found the ball on the edge of the area. The other 21 players turned spectator as his venomous volley sailed centimeters wide of the right-hand post of Aldershot’s goal, a lucky escape for the hosts.
Marcus Dewhurst would go on to win man of the match, and for good reason as he produced a series of tremendous saves throughout the fixture. The first of which coming after a scramble in the box fell to Boston feet 12 yards from goal, a point blank strike was denied by Shots’ no. 28.
The first Aldershot chance came courtesy of Tyler Frost. Some tremendous link-up play from Ollie Bray and Kai Corbett to play in the wing-back, who after taking a touch, saw his strike deflected for a corner.
After a brief stop for a head collision received by Bray, Jacob Hazel found himself in on goal thanks to a beautiful long-pass from Cameron Green. The forward, who scored in the reverse fixture, thought he might have been more likely to score, though a strong foot from Dewhurst once again denied the Pilgrims attack.
Just before the break, Aldershot would open the scoring. Kwame Thomas produced a brilliant display of strength in hold up play before playing to Ollie Bray, whose improvised flick found Tyler Frost, who struck across the keeper and into the bottom left corner, clipping the post on the way in.
HALF-TIME
The visitors came close out of the blocks for the second 45, most notably when a diagonal ball from Jai Rowe trickled all the way though Shots’ six-yard box, though fortunately for Dewhurst and co., no yellow shirt could get on the end of it.
A busy evening from Ollie Bray continued as he received the ball from Kai Corbett 25-yards from goal, a ferocious effort looked destined for the roof of the net had it not been for a tremendous save from Cameron Gregory.
Down the other end, Dylan Hill played a cross into a dangerous area, which despite a brave attempt at a low headed clearance from Dan Ellison, eventually found the feet of Jacob Hazel, who fired low into the bottom-left corner. However, Dewhurst denied the forward once more.
Boston’s pressure eventually told, as a frenzied sequence in Shots’ penalty area resulted in Frankie Maguire poking the ball into the path of second-half substitute James Gale, who fired home from extremely close range to equalize.
The hosts would attempt to regain the lead shortly after, as exceptional possession from several players in and around the penalty area allowed Kai Corbett to find Keane Anderson on the edge of the area, the midfielder produced a dagger of a strike from the left-hand corner of the penalty area that sailed just inches high of the opposite top corner.
With chances even going into added time, it would be the Lincolnshire side who produced the all-important winner. Keaton Ward broke down the right hand side before squaring to former Aldershot alumnus Jai Rowe, whose first time effort, despite being met by the palm of Marcus Dewhurst, trickled into the back of the net. The rapturous celebrations from the away end were fitting, as their late winner represented a first reprieve from the National League relegation zone since September.
Attendance: 1738 (173 away)
Shots lineup: 28. Marcus Dewhurst, 7. Cameron Hargreaves, 8. Tyler Frost, 9. Kai Corbett, 12. Keane Anderson, 14. Ollie Bray (24. Maxwell Mullins 78′), 27. James Henry (32. Emmanuel Maja 71′), 33. Luca Woodhouse, 35. Dan Ellison, 36. Will Armitage, 39. Kwame Thomas.
Subs not used: 1. Jordi van Stappershoef, 6. Theo Widdrington, 19. Brad Dologhan, 37. Tariq Uwakwe, 40. Zion Nditi.
Boston United lineup: 1. Cameron Gregory, 3. Cameron Green, 9. Jacob Hazel (27. Jacob Scott 94′), 12. Jai Rowe, 14. Connor Teale, 17. Brad Nicholson, 19. Jordan Richards, 21. Greg Slogett, 22. Frankie Maguire (7. Keaton Ward 82′), 22. Zak Mills (C), 24. Dylan Hill (39. James Gale 69′)
Subs not used: 10. Adam Marriott, 11. Noah Wadsworth, 20. Olly Green, 30. Jake Lovelace.
