Shots call the shots
Aug 5, 2023 22:12:25 GMT
Post by Rijs on Aug 5, 2023 22:12:25 GMT
Well, we knew this league would be tough, but we hoped it would not prove to be a case of full-time men against part-time boys, and for the first half an hour it was certainly not. True, City survived a scare when their hosts struck the bar with barely a minute on the clock, but thereafter they played with growing confidence, rattling ATFC at times, so it was a pity that a defensive mistake (or more accurately, a series of mistakes) gifted the home team a goal against the run of play after 13 minutes. First lesson: mistakes are going to be punished at this level; you can't afford to make them at the back.
Nonetheless, City were not fazed and gradually worked their way back into it, culminating in Alfie Potter seizing on a defensive slip, rounding their tall keeper and squaring for Parker to send the 85 visiting fans into raptures. One felt Aldershot began to realise they had a match here. So the second goal, after City failed to clear a corner well, was another disappointment; it was not that we were being torn apart by a superior team, but rather that we were defensively frail. Still, we seemed capable of reaching the interval just one goal behind, and with time to regroup and plug the gaps.
Then the ref awarded ten extra minutes. Both sets of fans were baffled, as there had been few stoppages. Near the end of this, when really we should have been taking a break in the changing room, Barham's pace undid us, the chance was immediately snapped up, and it looked like game over.
If we retained any hope of a comeback, it disappeared a few minutes after the restart when Reece was caught in possession and once again, the retribution was swift. With defeat now inevitable, we hoped to see City throw caution to the winds and go on the attack, but in fact, they opted for damage limitation. They nearly lasted the half but, as they tired, they conceded what was actually a good goal from the Shots' point of view. But the Hoops did not give up and gained a late consolation through the hard-working Parker.
Overall, Aldershot were superior in every department today, but mainly they were quicker. City are going to have to up their tempo. They were playing at the pace which served them well in the NLS but isn't going to trouble anyone at this level. The Shots may not even be real promotion chasers. We passed the ball around quite well but didn't ask enough questions of them today. We were clearly missing Zac, but we must not overload him with expectations. On the bright side, new boy Nya Kirby looked lively, especially in the first half; Chris Haigh pulled off one terrific save; and I thought Burley, Ashby and Parker emerged with some credit - Josh A did collect a needless booking but also tested their keeper with a good free-kick. Aaron got a shot on target too and had an assist for the second goal. Canice defended bravely but appeared to be blaming his teammates for mistakes. How much can we expect of part-timers? They tried. They are on a steep learning curve. They can play better than this, and we all hope they will, but if we are to survive, it will have to be quite a lot better.
Nonetheless, City were not fazed and gradually worked their way back into it, culminating in Alfie Potter seizing on a defensive slip, rounding their tall keeper and squaring for Parker to send the 85 visiting fans into raptures. One felt Aldershot began to realise they had a match here. So the second goal, after City failed to clear a corner well, was another disappointment; it was not that we were being torn apart by a superior team, but rather that we were defensively frail. Still, we seemed capable of reaching the interval just one goal behind, and with time to regroup and plug the gaps.
Then the ref awarded ten extra minutes. Both sets of fans were baffled, as there had been few stoppages. Near the end of this, when really we should have been taking a break in the changing room, Barham's pace undid us, the chance was immediately snapped up, and it looked like game over.
If we retained any hope of a comeback, it disappeared a few minutes after the restart when Reece was caught in possession and once again, the retribution was swift. With defeat now inevitable, we hoped to see City throw caution to the winds and go on the attack, but in fact, they opted for damage limitation. They nearly lasted the half but, as they tired, they conceded what was actually a good goal from the Shots' point of view. But the Hoops did not give up and gained a late consolation through the hard-working Parker.
Overall, Aldershot were superior in every department today, but mainly they were quicker. City are going to have to up their tempo. They were playing at the pace which served them well in the NLS but isn't going to trouble anyone at this level. The Shots may not even be real promotion chasers. We passed the ball around quite well but didn't ask enough questions of them today. We were clearly missing Zac, but we must not overload him with expectations. On the bright side, new boy Nya Kirby looked lively, especially in the first half; Chris Haigh pulled off one terrific save; and I thought Burley, Ashby and Parker emerged with some credit - Josh A did collect a needless booking but also tested their keeper with a good free-kick. Aaron got a shot on target too and had an assist for the second goal. Canice defended bravely but appeared to be blaming his teammates for mistakes. How much can we expect of part-timers? They tried. They are on a steep learning curve. They can play better than this, and we all hope they will, but if we are to survive, it will have to be quite a lot better.
