Aldershot Town (0) 2 Hudston 75, Davies 86
Gillingham (0) 1 Jackson 84
Att. 4,198
Entrance: £18
Programme: £3
Mileage: 149/1,942
Match Report
Football showed its ugly side inside and outside Aldershot’s Recreation Ground yesterday. As we passed the ground on our way to finding a parking place, we witnessed groups of thugs clashing outside the Beehive Pub in a disturbing confrontation. It was a serious incident and a throwback to the bad old days.A statement from Aldershot’s chairman regarding incidents at Aldershot’s previous game at Luton suggests that there is a real problem with a minority group of their followers. They were a club that gathered a very poor reputation in non-league football and it seems they are ready to carry this forward into the Football League. Gillingham’s minority cannot be blameless and from reports it seems there were some people in Aldershot purely for non-footballing reasons.
On the pitch, Gillingham had a lot of repair work to do following last week’s mauling at Shrewsbury and their cause was not helped by a 13th minute red card for Mark McCammon. Opinion is going to be divided on whether it was a straight red offence. I’ve not seen the incident on television and thus might edit this post should I be proved wrong. But, to use the word again, it was an ugly looking challenge from McCammon. A lofted cross from Bentley was too close to the keeper, who was always going to collect the ball. McCammon has made a genuine attempt to challenge for the ball but his challenge is late, and being the size he is, combined with his momentum, has clattered the keeper.
My initial thought was yellow and was shocked to see a red brandished. I’m convinced it was not malicious and only merited the booking. But I have to make the point, that had the offence happened at the other end on Simon Royce, we would have been similarly outraged.
Despite their disadvantage, Gillingham went on to make a good fist of the first half. Royce was forced to make a couple of good saves and Simon King produced some heroic defending but in general the visitors looked comfortable and carved out a couple of chances of their own.
The second half was one of continual rearguard action for the Gills. The spirit that had been so lacking at Shrewsbury was clearly evident as the pressure built. Despite the valiant effort it was inevitable that eventually a well worked move ended with Kirk Hudson giving Aldershot the lead with 15 minutes remaining.
Luis Cumbers came on to partner Simeon Jackson, who had been left with the thankless task of leading the line alone since McCammon’s departure. Only five minutes remained when Jackson got on the end of some desperately poor defending and a welcome, surprising point looked on its way to Priestfield.
Unfortunately the joy was shortlived when a half hit shot from Scott Davies took a heavy deflection to seal the points for the home side. It had been a sterling effort from the Gills backline and one that deserved a point for valour.
The Recreation Ground, these days known as the EBB Stadium is little changed since we last visited in 1992. In truth, it was a dump then and still is. But having criticised the blandness of the new stadiums at Darlington and Shrewsbury, the Rec is a traditional old football ground that has a bit of character with its less than symmetrical enclosures that are 75% terracing and an end that is only inhabited by trees. It also has to be said that their fans also produce a vibrant atmosphere, both noisy and colourful with their flags. It’s a great shame that their minority element tarnish the club when they are being so well supported inside the stadium.
The walk from the front of the stadium to the away supporters entrance is a long hike uphill and could be beyond the capabilities of the elderly, but hopefully Aldershot make provision for this. Following the pre-match trouble it was with a little trepidation that we made our way back towards the town to retrieve the car, but thankfully it was all quiet as both sets of supporters mixed amicably.
The Binman's take.
No comments:
Post a Comment