Just 16 days after a famous FA Trophy semi-final victory, Aldershot Town and Woking meet once again in an Easter Monday clash at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.
With less than 12 miles separating the two sides, and having contested in the same division for ten of the last eleven seasons, this local derby stands out as one of the most hotly contested non-league rivalries of the modern era.
With 53 points from 43 matches, ‘the Cards’ currently find themselves 17th in the Vanarama National League, one point and one place behind the Shots.
RECENT FORM
The Surrey side come into the tie third in the National League form table, having strung together 11 points from their last five matches, greatly easing their proximity to the relegation places.
- 18/04/25 – Maidenhead 2-2 Woking
- 12/04/25 – Woking 1-0 AFC Fylde
- 08/04/25 – Oldham Athletic 1-2 Woking
- 05/04/25 – Aldershot 2-1 Woking (FA Trophy)
- 01/04/25 – Woking 1-1 Rochdale
Unbeaten in the league in April thus far, a positive result could see the Cardinals mathematically safe, depending on results elsewhere.
IN THE DUGOUT
Despite being born in nearby Epsom, Surrey-born gaffer Neil Ardley will be best known for his exploits in South London, where he enjoyed significant spells as both player and manager.
A winger in his playing career, the former England U21 international earned 169 Premier League appearances for Wimbledon before spells in the Championship with Watford, Cardiff and Millwall.
He began his coaching career as manager of Cardiff City’s academy in 2007, a role he fulfilled concurrently while earning his UEFA Pro license.
Manager of AFC Wimbledon between 2012 and 2018, his crowning achievement as coach is undoubtedly taking the phoenix club up to League One for the first time, beating Plymouth 2-0 in the play-off final in 2016. He may also forever boast being the first Wimbledon manager to defeat arch-rivals MK Dons in a competitive fixture, as well as guide the team to a higher league position in 2017-18.
Ardley’s first visit to the EBB as manager was in 2013, as his Wombles side claimed all three points in a closely contested League Two fixture. He has since returned with Notts County, Solihull Moors and of course, Woking.
LAST TIME OUT
Of course, the Shots are the most recent victors between the two thanks to their dramatic 2-1 victory earlier in the month. Having trailed for much of the second-half, Jack Barham’s injury time header was enough to secure an historic victory against the Cardinals.
Aldershot also emerged victorious during the last away meeting. A New Year’s Day thriller saw the visitors leave with all three points after goals from Lorent Tolaj, Tyler Frost and Jack Barham again secured a 3-2 victory on the road.
This will be the 38th meeting between the clubs, with Aldershot emerging victorious on 20 occasions to Woking’s nine.
FORMER SHOTS
Jermaine Anderson – The former England U20 midfielder played 31 times for the Shots in the 2020/21 season, scoring four goals, including a brace against the Cards in a 3-0 boxing day win.
He moved directly to Woking the following season, where he has remained since.
Inih Effiong – The forward enjoyed a hugely successful solitary season in Hampshire, scoring 14 goals in 30 National League appearances across 2022/23, even captaining the side on seven occasions.
This is Effiong’s third stint with Woking, having scored five goals in 19 appearances since rejoining in December 2024. Having played every minute of the side’s last seven matches, expect the Brent-born striker to feature up top.
Frank Vincent – Joining on loan from Notts County, the former Bournemouth academy man played 18 times in the middle of the park in 2022/23, scoring just once.
Joining the Cardinals from fellow National League strugglers Dagenham & Redbridge in December, once again on loan, Vincent has played in a variety of positions for the club thus far, though has recently fallen out out starting contention.
Lewis Walker – The 25-year-old forward has had a rather unique career thus far, playing for current Serie A side Como 1907 in between spells with Derby, QPR and Gillingham.
During a short loan in 2019/20, Walker failed to score in 13 games for the Shots. Normally utilised from the bench for his current side, he has scored twice in 33 appearances across the current campaign.
Aiden O’Brien – With more than 300 EFL appearances more the likes of Millwall, Sunderland and Portsmouth under his belt, O’Brien is one of the more experienced players in non-league at present.
The Irishman scored an impressive three goals in five games during a two month loan in 2013/14. Having struggled hugely with injuries of late, he currently finds himself sidelined with a hamstring problem that has kept him out since February.
TICKET INFO
Away tickets for the Shots’ trip to Woking on Easter Monday have now sold out.
Thank you for your fantastic support!
Shots fans following the team to Woking on Easter Monday will be able to utilise the facilities of Meadow Sports FC on Loop Road from 10:30am on the day of the game.
Just a short walk from Woking’s stadium, Shots fans will have an exclusive eating and drinking venue with plenty of parking available.
Click HERE to find the facilities on Google Maps.
Full address is: Meadow Sports FC, Loop Road, Woking, GU22 9BQ
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 live 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
