Written By Declan McCarthy

One goal was the difference on the day as Aldershot won 2-1 thanks to goals from Andre McColin and Brett Williams. Woking did pull one back in Jack Marriott, but it was little too late for the Surrey based side whose run without a win continues.

Gary Hill made one change to the team that played in the Boxing Day clash against Eastleigh and it was John Goddard who was selected to start ahead of the unfit Theo Lewis, who was not 100%. Dan Wilson was one of the two changes Andy Scott was forced to make as it was reported that Wilson had a suspected hamstring injury and so McCollin came in. Aldershot had to adapt with life without Phil Smith too as he was suspended and young goalkeeper -Making his full debut on the day- was Dan Thomas who stepped in goal.

Woking started brightly, for about 7 minutes as Aldershot attacked down the left side of the pitch and with too much space left for Andre McColin he was left with time to grab his second goal for Aldershot. He chipped in a cross just outside the 18 yard box, which was missed by the on running Dan Holman and to the surprise of Ross Worner and many around the ground, it slowly drifted into the opposite corner of the net.

The attacking intentions set by both sides showed in the formations chosen by Scott (Aldershot) and Hill (Woking) in 4-3-3 and both sides had their chances.

Chris Arthur hit a well stuck shot from 35 yards out causing replacement keeper Dan Thomas to drop the ball and it was Giuseppe Sole who was quickest to challenge Thomas, to the dislike of the Aldershot players, a few words were handed about resulting in Sole and Hatton both booked after the incident.

Aldershot were on top of the very much frustrated Woking side whose defensive mistakes were giving Aldershot the space they needed to create problems for the Woking goalkeeper and this forced Gary Hill to make an early change and it was Joey Jones off for Adam Newton.

Even after the early change Aldershot still played effectively and it was former cards man Brett Williams who scored, after his initial header was saved well by Worner, but the reactions from Williams were quick enough to stab home the ball into the back of the net

Aldershot fans at this point were the only one to be heard as there was not a great deal to cheer about (From a Woking point) apart from admire the resilient Aldershot side whose attacking mentality really showed as Holman went close shortly after the second goal.

Still throughout the first half (Which was a horrible half for Woking) the consistent Woking defensive mistakes were gifting chances to Aldershot after Arthur miss hit the ball into Oyeleke who hit well over the bar to the delight of many Woking fans. However, the feeling was not the shot that was worrying from a Woking perspective, but it was how many chances they (Aldershot) had.

Aldershot played a very high line in defence and this did not give the Woking midfield a chance to work as it should or even stretch Aldershot, so there was a lot of ball retention as both sides were careless with possession, but going into half time break Aldershot were very much tactically spot on and on top of the game.

A half time change from Hill meant that the experience Kevin Betsy would feature for John Goddard but once again, Aldershot showed there early intentions as Holman quickly caught out the Woking defence, but Clarke was there to deny him another chance.

Frustration grew around the Woking ground as Woking hadn’t caused Aldershot to much problems, but with an hour gone Woking started to show more of an attacking game and this was helped by the fact Woking changed their formation from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2.

Andre McColin came close to getting his second of the afternoon after bursting through as he picked up another loose ball and shot into the side netting. Another Aldershot attack came, and it was Williams turn to have a go as he passed Josh Payne and tired an ambitious shot which just fizzed wide of the post.

Woking had their lifeline after some good play from Payne who quickly passed it to Rendell -facing away from goal- he then flicked the ball back to Payne who crossed into Marriott who got a leg to the ball, but it was enough, as the ball sailed over head of Dan Thomas and into the back of the net.

The Woking crowd found their voice after the goal and spurred the team on as Woking continued to try and find a way of scoring as Morgan headed into Thomas who comfortably dealt with it.

But a late Woking push wasn’t enough as Aldershot held on for their first win in 5 games but that meant Woking would suffer their 4th defeat in 5 league games.

Woking will want to quickly forget about this game and the best way to do that is by getting underneath a new one, that game will take place on the 1st of Jan against Eastleigh.

Woking: Ross Worner, James Clarke, Joe McNerney, Joey Jones (Adam Newton 26), Chris Arthur, Jack Marriott, Keiran Murtagh, Josh Payne, John Goddard (Kevin Betsy 46), Giuseppe Sole (Scott Rendell 70), Dean Morgan
Unused subs: Jake Cole, Theo Lewis
Goal: Jack Marriott 88
Booked: Giuseppe Sole

Aldershot Town: Dan Thomas, Joe Oastler, Chris Barker, Sam Hatton, Brett Williams, Jaydon Gibbs, Jordan Roberts, Kieran Forbes, Andre McCollin (Dan Fitchett 80), Manny Oyeleke, Dan Holman
Unused subs: Anthony Tonkin, Tristan Plummer, Naby Diallo, Tom Derry
Goals: Andre McCollin 7, Brett Williams 28
Booked: Jaydon Gibbs, Joe Oastler, Jordan Roberts, Sam Hatton, Dan Holman
Sponsors’ MOTM: Jack Marriott
Attendance: 3556 (746 away fans)