Aldershot Town make the short trip to West London on Tuesday night, as they face Wealdstone FC at Grosvenor Vale in an important tie in the bottom-half of the Vanarama National League.
Despite exclusively existing as a non-league side since their inception in 1899, Wealdstone boast being the first ever side to win the ‘non-league double’, having won both the fifth-tier title and the FA Trophy in 1984-85.
The Stones’ current stint at step one dates back to 2020, where they were crowned National League South champions on a points-per-game basis amid the COVID 19 lockdown.
This five-year tenure is at risk, however, as with 42 points from 37 matches, the club find themselves just three points and three positions away from the dropzone approaching the run-in.
RECENT FORM
The Hillingdon-based side have seen a recent upturn in form recently, and come into the tie with a two-game winning streak.
- 22/03/25 – Wealdstone 1-0 Woking
- 18/03/25 – Altrincham 0-1 Wealdstone
- 15/03/25 – Wealdstone 3-3 Eastleigh
- 08/03/25 – Rochdale 4-1 Wealdstone
- 04/02/25 – Tamworth 4-1 Wealdstone
While these victories have obviously contributed most to Wealdstone’s recent exit from the relegation places, their most cherished point earned will surely have come courtesy of Eastleigh. 3-0 down with less than 25 minutes to play, the Royals clawed it back to 3-3 on the night.
IN THE DUGOUT
Joining the Stones in January following the departure of Matty Taylor for Solihull Moors, Neil Gibson is undertaking his first stint in charge of an English club, having previously managed exclusively in north-Wales.
He is perhaps most well known for his time at Prestatyn Town, for whom he enjoyed three separate stints as head-coach between 2007 and 2020. The former Tranmere Rovers midfielder has overseen three league title wins in Wales’ second-tier, and in 2012-13 led the side to a sensational Welsh Cup victory against Bangor at Wrexham’s Racehourse ground, qualifying them for the Europa League for the first time in the club’s history.
A two year spell with Connah’s Quay Nomads between 2022 and 2024 saw him achieve consecutive second place Cymru Premier finishes with the Flintshire side, as well as a further Welsh Cup title.
Still only 45-years-old, while only just crossing the border this year, Gibson may become a recognisable face in the English game yet.
LAST TIME OUT
Aldershot’s last visit to Ruislip proved extremely eventful, as six goals were shared evenly despite Wealdstone finishing the game with nine men in January 2024.
Cool finishes from Jack Barham and Lorent Tolaj sent the Shots into an early 2-0 lead, though a first half comeback from the hosts was compiled just after the break, as Micah Obiero spotted Jordi van Stappershoef well off his line to score from fully 30-yards. A 91st minute header from Kwame Thomas rescued a point in between dismissals from Aaron Henry and Mason Barrett, the game finishing 3-3.
While Wealdstone won this season’s reverse fixture, Aldershot are the most recent victors between the two, winning 3-1 in the FA Trophy in early December.
FORMER SHOTS
Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong – The Grenada international enjoyed two spells with the Shots between 2018 and 2022, playing 87 times.
The forward-thinking midfielder signed for the Stones as a free agent in February. Yet to make an appearance, he has made the matchday squad on four occasions.
TICKET INFO
Tickets for the Shots’ trip to Grosvenor Vale on Tuesday, 25th March, can be bought online by clicking HERE.
Shots supporters have been allocated the west end of the stadium; a total of 1,025 tickets which includes 369 unallocated seats in the Modu Stand and a mix of covered and uncovered terracing.
Ticket prices are as follows with the brackets indicating prices on the day of the game:
- ADULT – £18 (£20)
- CONCESSION (65+/Mature students) – £13 (£15)
- NEXT GEN (19-23) – £11 (£13)
- UNDER 19 – £7 (£8)
Please note that the student price is only beneficial for mature students, those aged 23 and under should opt for NEXT GEN or UNDER 19 where applicable.
Wealdstone also offer a FAMILY TICKET, which admits two adults and two under 12s for £40, this offer is available to both home and away supporters, and makes for a £16 saving on matchdays and £10 compared to early bird pricing.
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 by 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
