There was a buzz around the Rec at the final whistle of this
comprehensive victory against Neil Redfearn's Northwich Victoria.
A third successive victory for Gary Waddock's side added to a fluent
performance at the Rec and, importantly, a clean sheet. The added
addition of Rob Elvins stepping up in injury time to score a deserved
first goal for the club was a bonus too.
Boss Gary Waddock brought in defender Dave Winfield for his first
start of the season with Anthony Straker suspended the Aldershot born
centre half partnered Rhys Day in the centre of defence with Anthony
Charles moving to left back. Elvins returned to the starting line up
replacing the injured Jonny Dixon.
After a jittery opening to the game where the home side lacked a
certain cohesion despite enjoying the majority of play they never
looked back after scoring the opening goal on 27 minutes.
Another long range Lewis Chalmers throw was met by the head of captain
Rhys Day who directed the ball into the bottom corner of the net from
the edge of the six yard box.
Victoria, lacking confidence after a poor start to the season, only
created one opening and should have scored from it. Brad Maylett beat
the offside trap on the right hand side and delivered a timely ball
into the path of former Scarborough striker Michael Coulson. He placed
his shot first time just wide of the diving Nikki Bull and wide of the
target.
Neil Redfearn's side were made to pay for that miss on 37 minutes when
Elvins' flick header down was met by the on running John Grant. He
laid the ball into the path of Scott Davies and the confident Reading
loanee struck the ball firmly into the roof of the net from 16 yards.
Elvins' curling effort forced a fine save from Ben Connett in the Vics
goal just before the break but there was little doubt at the interval
that the home side would not go on to win the match.
The one way traffic continued in the second half with Aldershot
producing a patient and organised approach not allowing their
opponents any time on the ball.
Ben Harding's 20 yard strike stretched Connett on 52 minutes and
Elvins' firm close range effort was blocked by Connett a minute later
after good aproach play by Rob Gier.
John Grant force Connett to his left to scamble the ball to safety as
the home side were dominant.
On the hour the match was effectively over as a contest when Elvins
was again involved in the build up. He held the ball up well before
supplying Grant who in turn teed up Davies to rifle the ball home
inside the 18 yard box.
The rampant home side added to their lead within a minute when Louie
Soares deep centre was met by the head of Grant at the far post. It
was becoming a purely enjoyable afternoon for the home side
supporters.
A substitution forced manager Waddock to shuffle his pack with Ricky
Newman settling into the centre of midfield with Soares moving to
right back and Gier moving to the left side of the centre of defence.
It made no odds as it remained as you were !
Dave Winfield nearly celebrated his first start of the season with a
goal when he connected form Davies' left sided free kick but only into
the arms of Connett.
Elvins, desperate to score his opening goal, nearly did so from a
dipping header from Davies' centre only to see it sail just over the
bar.
A determined Newman won a crunching tackle in the middle of the park
to feed Elvins whose fierce left footed shot from 20 yards careered
just wide of the target.
You just felt that it wasn't to be for the former West Bromwich Albion
striker when he did finally get the ball into the back of the net only
to be ruled offside and be cautioned for continuing play after the
whistle.
Desperate to keep a clean sheet keeper Bull stood up to the test in
the final minute when he made a superb double save from close range
from former Stevenage Borough striker Dino Maamria. It was a great
response from the alert keeper who had been a virtual passenger all
game.
The script was set in the second minute of injury time when Vics were
harshly penalised for a back pass to the keeper. From six yards Newman
set up Elvins who fired low first time powerfully thorugh the ten Vics
players that were stood on the goal line.
The way the players celebrated with the striker showed what it meant
to not only to Elvins but his colleagues as well. It was fitting
finale to yet another fine performance from boss Waddock's side.
The manager commented afterwards, "An excellent result backed up with
a good performance and a clean sheet. We wanted to keep a clean sheet
because all good sides build form the back with solid foundations.
"It is very positive at the moment but I have said to the players that
you have to enjoy the good times. We are in good form at the moment
but we have to remain focussed as we prepare for the next match at
Oxford on Saturday".