Stevenage return to a familiar venue when they travel to Aldershot tomorrow. Boro have lost a couple of conference games there over the years, but who can forget the 5-1 thumping in the Trophy, before the Shots had returned to the Conference? Let’s hope for a repeat.
Vital Quotes:
Shots manager Kevin Dillon: ‘I’m glad we’re facing them early because they’re playing with no fear at the moment. Teams that come up from the non-league come into games and really open up and they try and score more than the opposition, so it should be a great game.’
Conference champions manager Graham Westley: ‘They’re a decent side, it’s always a difficult place to visit. We’re under no illusions about the size of the task and how difficult it’ll be to win there.’
Aldershot Team News:
John Halls is available for the first time this season.
Player to watch: Little
Glen Little, maybe? He was playing in the top flight a couple of seasons ago, for Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth.
Stevenage Team News:
Murphy and Yemi have been injured recently, but could come into contention.
Player to watch: Charlie Griffin
3 goals already this season. On fire.
Match Facts & Stats
Last time we played the Shots, we lost 3-1. Ex-England Manager Peter Taylor was in charge of us (& we all know how that turned out) whilst the Shots went on to win the Conference.
Ref Watch:
Mark Halsey – Unusually popular referee due to his battle to overcome cancer last year. Being sent to Aldershot seems scant reward for such determination.
Match Prediction:
1-1. I haven’t seen the Shots play for 2 years, so I’ve no idea how good they are.
Next Fixtures:
Brentford in the JPT; then Crewe visit the Lamex on Saturday 4th September.
According to the Shots offy website: “Supporters unable to make the match will be able to listen to live match commentary via BBC Radio Surrey on 104.6FM where Gavin Denison and Shotsweb’s Steve Gibbs will be kicking off coverage after the 2pm news.”