This was an excellent performance by the Mustangs against a good side in the league. Despite their position in the league Aldershot are a tough team to beat with a combination of some very good experienced players and youth just like the Mustangs.
The team continued with the new system and it really seemed to click this week. The team started well and played at a high tempo pressing Aldershot all over the pitch and we gained a lot of possession in the midfield area and applied pressure on the Aldershot goal. However, a goal was hard to come by and Aldershot were well set up for a break away leaving one forward high up the pitch and the Mustang defence had to always be alert and disciplined. Tom Orr and Matthew Bishop really stuck to their task and snuffed out any threat.
Eventually the team got the break their play deserved and Adam Kerven scored following good wing play from Alex Scott down the right. The score remained 1 v 0 at half time.
The second half continued in the same trend as the first, with Mustangs dominating but never seeing clear water between them and Aldershot with only the one goal advantage. Various options were tried with Craig Millar having a go up front and Chris Dendy and Liam White constantly changing positions to try something new to bring us the second goal.
Then at last from a well worked short corner Dan Kerven scored and Aldershot were broken. Gaps started to appear and right at the death Adam K grabbed a well taken second for him and a third for the team with a delicate lob over a diving keeper.
I think this was the most complete performance so far in the season with a great team work ethic and it wasn’t until after the final whistle that we realised that the opposition had not had a shot on target or a short corner! Special praise for the defence and for Andy Holder paying a full match fee!
Can I also praise Aldershot for playing the game in a great spirit and, despite the defeat and the graveyard shift at Therfield, had 8 players come back to the club for a tea.
MOM: Graham Cox for really excellent play at left defence not allowing the right winger a sniff.
TFC: Doug Gordon, the colts train on a Sunday morning if you need to practice your dribbling