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Wednesday, 10 January 2007 |
Saturday 20th January 2007
Vics 1 v 3 Aldershot
There can be few doubts that the best team won, despite having had an early penalty opportunity saved by home keeper Ben Connett, they proved themselves to be superior in just about every department of this game.
Despite having survived the early penalty, Vics were unable to raise their game throughout the first half and Aldershot took full advantage of a strong wind at their backs to create the better and more effective openings.
Connett proved to be the most effective last line of defence with a superb save to deny Beckford from close range. Moments later the Vics keeper again proved himself equal to the most demanding of tasks by keeping out a fierce 17 yard drive from Grant. Almost inevitably the visitors eventually got the better of the Vics' keeper after they had broken decisively, from an all too familiar failed Vics raid, to expose a weakness on the Vics' left flank that left WILLIAMS with ample time and space to cut inside and place an accurate shot into the far corner of the net. In direct contrast Vics lacked a decisive cutting edge and, when another attacking move all too easily floundered, Aldershot broke and Dixon ought to have scored but his shot was deflected via the advancing Connett onto the Vics' bar.
With the wind at their backs Vics looked to manufacture an immediate response and Byrne should have done better than guide a Brayson cross wide of a gaping target. Retribution was swift and when Byrne was guilty of ceding possession too readily on the left, Aldershot ploughed forward with purpose leaving DIXON to take possession before executing a measured finish from the edge of the box.
In spite of a two-goal deficit Vics, to their credit, refused to fold and it took a quality save to prevent Brayson from reducing the arrears. However the more the home side pressed the better the opportunities for Aldershot arose from the break. Roberts was able to block out a shot from Soares after he had broke half the length of the pitch and then Molesey shot wide after having been at the end of a similar quick counter attack. The introduction of Roca for Byrne provided a less orthodox approach and it almost paid off when Roca foraged into the box only for his cross-cum-shot to narrowly evade the far post. With time running out, and any hopes of a fight back quickly receding, Aldershot sealed their win from another break that ended with MOLESEY converting from close range. Grant would have added to Vics’ embarrassment had Connett not produced another superb point blank save and then the same player again looked certain to score but on this occasion the post denied him. As it was, BRAYSON provided the tiniest of consolations by scoring a late goal.
Attendance: 890
Man of the Match: Mark Roberts
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 29 June 2008 )
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