Kicking off an Easter weekend double-header, Aldershot Town welcome Sutton United, who make the 33-mile journey from South London for this Good Friday clash.
Despite relegation heartbreak last season, the ‘Amber and Chocolates’ are arguably enjoying the most successful era in the club’s history. Having contested in regional leagues for the vast majority of their 127-year history, they became a Football League club for the very first time in 2021, winning the previous season’s National League title.
Returning to non-league this term, they appear to be settling for mid-table stability, coming into this tie in 12th place with 55 points from 42 games. Just two ahead of the Shots, a home victory would see Tommy Widdrington’s men leapfrog their opponents on the day.
RECENT FORM
It has been a frustrating start to Spring for the Londoners, failing to win any of three fixtures against teams occupying relegation spots at the time of playing, including a 4-1 loss to already relegated Ebbsfleet United, their largest victory of the season.
- 12/04/25 – Ebbsfleet United 4-1 Sutton United
- 08/04/25 – Sutton United 1-0 Rochdale
- 05/04/25 – Sutton United 1-1 Southend United
- 29/03/25 – Boston United 2-1 Sutton United
- 22/03/25 – Sutton United 1-1 Dagenham & Redbridge
Such is the congestion in the Vanarama National League table, Sutton can still mathematically go up or down, however, it appears exceedingly likely that the side are destined for another season in England’s fifth-tier.
IN THE DUGOUT
Despite collecting 20 caps for Wales, it is no surprise where in the world Enfield-born Steve Morison has found managerial asylum, having spent the majority of his 18-year playing career in and around England’s capital.
With over 700 career appearances, almost half of those occurring across three different spells with Millwall, Morison earned a reputation as one of the EFL’s great poachers, scoring 243 career goals before retiring to join the coaching staff of Northampton Town following the receipt of his UEFA Pro Licence in 2019.
He joined regular Lions strike partner Neil Harris at Cardiff City in 2020, though following both his, and his successor Mick McCarthy’s sacking, Morison would be appointed first-team coach. Despite mixed successes, he steered the club away from relegation in 2021-22, earning Championship manager of the month after a crucial unbeaten March period.
After earning a 66% win ratio at eventual Isthmian League champions Hornchurch during the first half of 2023-24, Morison was appointed Sutton boss in January of last year. Tasked with executing a great escape for a side sitting comfortably rock-bottom of the Football League, just one loss from their final eight games was not enough to prevent the Yellows’ fate.
Noted for an attacking style of play that very much mirrors his playing career, while things may not have gone perfectly this campaign, the 41-year-old is undeniably an extremely talented young manager.
LAST TIME OUT
The spoils were shared in the reverse fixture, as a New Year’s Day encounter finished 1-1 thanks to a 93rd minute equaliser from Cameron Hargreaves.
Due to their recent Football League heroics, this will be Sutton’s first visit to the EBB Stadium in over four years. Putting a dampener on Aldershot’s long-awaited opening home game of the delayed 2020-21 campaign, Matt Gray’s Yellows came out 2-1 victors thanks to a late Alex Finney own goal.
FORMER SHOTS
Jayden Harris – The Croydon-born midfielder played 33 times for Aldershot during a solitary season in 2021-22. His finest moment for the club came away to Woking on January 2nd, where a near post header sparked a comeback that saw the Shots come away 3-2 winners in dramatic fashion.
Unfortunately, Harris will not feature in this tie, having suffered a ruptured Achilles Tendon in November that has ruled him out for the season.
TICKET INFO
Tickets are available HERE, and are priced as follows after the earlybird period has ended:
- ADULTS – £23
- MILITARY PERSONNEL – £19
- SENIOR (Over 66) – £19
- DISABLED – £19
- YOUNG PERSON (18-20) – £19
- 17 AND UNDER – £8
- UNDER 11 – FREE
We strongly encourage buying tickets in advance or online to save queues in the Ticket Office before the game.
The Club Shop/Ticket Office is open for all supporters with cash and card accepted.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT
Live updates will be available from our social media platforms X (@OfficialShots), Instagram (@aldershottownfcofficial), and Facebook. After the game, highlights will be available on our YouTube channel.
The game can be streamed to overseas viewers via DAZN’s National League TV coverage. Click HERE to purchase a match pass.
There will be live commentary of the game provided by BBC Radio Surrey – listen online HERE
