Reports

Wycombe Wanderes 2 -v- 2 Aldershot Town Ladies

Southern Region Premier League

30th March 2008

The Shots were missing several players at Wycombe Wanderers, including top scorer Laura Wallman, Tasha Meredith and midfielder Emily Wall.
The match started with the Shots being put under pressure by Wycombe, but the Shots defence ably cleared the final ball. Wycombe won a number of corners, but the Shots managed to always clear their lines and counter-attack on the Wycombe goal.

On 21minutes, the Shots midfield broke away, which saw Hart, North and Ireland combine, resulting in a corner. Smith swung the ball into the 6-yard box, a Wycombe defender could only clear to the edge of the penalty box, where defender Coles, with her back to goal, flicked the ball over her head and the ball looped over the goalkeeper.

From this, the Shots confidence stood out, and a number of moves were created, but the Wycombe defence managed to clear. On 24 minutes, the Shots doubled their lead. The ball was worked out to Hann near the left corner flag; she skipped around the defender and her cross found Ireland racing into the area to head home for her first-ever league goal, and her first since the 6-0 win over Abbey Rangers in the FA Cup in September.

After half time, Wycombe pressed the Shots defence. A number of high balls had to be cleared by the Shots defence. They were finally caught out on 55 minutes, when a long ball hit over the top, wasn't cleared and the Wycombe player fired past the advancing player. Just after this Caz Shepherd and a Wycombe player went for a high 50-50 ball. Shepherd came off the worst as she hit her shoulder on the ground. With Shepherd out of the game, Hart moved from right back to centre-midfield, and Giberson entered the fray at right back.
The Shots only threatened occasionally, but could not produce the goods in the final third of the pitch. After a number of corners, Wycombe drew level. The ball was played into the box. Again, the ball was not cleared properly, and found an un-marked Wycombe player to level the game with 16 minutes to play.

With 10 minutes to go, Andy made his final substitution replacing Funnell for Danni Shepherd. As the game went on, the Shots lost Giberson to injury, and finished with game with
10 players.

Final Score Wycombe Wanderers 2 Aldershot Town 2

Player of the Match: Stacey Ireland

Squad: Calder, Hart, Funnell (D Shepherd), Smith, Coles, Grover, North, Ireland, Hann, C Shepherd (Giberson), McDonald.

'We produced an excellent first-half display, but failed to produce the goods in the second half. It was good to see our passing game back, and caused the opposition a lot of problems. The injuries are a worry - I think Giberson will not play again this season and Caz is definitely out for the remainder of the season.'
Andy Liddicott

Launton Ladies 2 -v- 0 Aldershot Town Ladies

Southern Region Premier League

23rd March 2008

With last week's fixture against Slough called off due to the poor weather, the Shots Ladies made the long trip north up the M40 motorway to Oxfordshire to take on Launton in a Southern Premier Women's league fixture. The pitch had survived the snow and blizzards in the morning, but the game nearly didn't go ahead when news came through of the allocated referee falling ill. With efforts to find a last-minute referee on a bitterly-cold Easter Sunday reaping no rewards, the duty fell to Aldershot Town's assistant referee Matthew Leary to take charge of the game.

Both sides started at a fast pace and Launton soon started to press the Shots area, but a number of high balls were cleared. The Shots' first chance came when the ball was played out to the left. Hann managed to drag the ball back and chip the ball into the near post where the goalkeeper managed to claw away.

Launton pressed and Grover was caught bringing the ball out of the back - the Launton player sprinted towards goal, but was caught by the two covering players, which resulted in free kick on the edge of the box. With the wall set, Calder could only watch as the ball was dispatched into the left hand top corner.

The Shots found it hard to break a hard-working Launton down, who always seemed to have the extra player.
On 20 minutes, the Shots went two-nil down. Again the Shots defence lost the ball, and as the Launton player played it through, Calder came out of her box to clear, but the ball bobbled up and all the Launton player had to do was place it into the net. 2-0

After half time, the Shots started to get game going and managed to place a number of shots on target, which the goalkeeper dealt with.
As the Shots pressed, it was only time before Launton had a break away. The ball was played into the box and Smith challenged for the ball, which the referee judged a foul, and pointed to the spot. The Shots however were relieved to see the effort go wide of Calder's right-hand post..
The match finished in a 2 nil win to Launton.

'Again we didn't perform in the first half and got punished for it. The first half we where playing as individuals and two silly mistakes cost us.
When we played as a team in the second, what a difference! But the damage was done. Yet again another disappointing game, which sees us in the bottom half of the table.'
Andy Liddicott

Aldershot Town Ladies 12 vs. 0 Reading Ladies

Southern Region Premier League

2nd December 2007

The Shots ladies played the Reading Ladies for the second time season in the Southern Regions Premier league at Farnborough gate on Sunday 2nd December 2007, on there last meeting the Shots had run out winners by 18 nil in the league cup.

Weather conditions were not great but the pitch had held up well after the youth team had played on Saturday Morning.

The Shots kick off and with a flowing move sent McDonald clear off the Reading defence ,she out sprinted her marker and fired low into the right hand corner,The where one nil up after 31 seconds.1-0

Again the Shots started to create a number off chances, with Hann North and Wallman all coming close. Reading tried to use the long over the shots defence , but Smith Grover and Coles were to cover. The Shots growing in confidence went further a head on 18 minutes; the ball was played out of defence into the midfield in a delightful one touch move. D shepherd received the ball wide sent a cross into the box, with Hann timing her run just right headed into the net.2-0

Again the Shots took the game to Reading and on 20 minutes went 3-nil up when the ball found Wallman in the box, she managed to side step her marker and fired into the corner off the net.3-0 from the kick off the Shots went straight back down and scored again, D shepherd again had space to cross and Wallman headed in.4-0

The game became a midfield battle for the next ten minutes, but the shots came out on top and went 5-nil up when again d shepherd crossed and McDonald controlled well moved away from her marker and fired in.5-0

On 39 minutes the Shots made it 6-nil before half time. North found Hann outside the box Hann controlled the ball and with the Reading defence not closing her down fired from 20 yards into the Corner off the net.

In the Second half the Shots took longer to settle, but after a few stiff words from the sidelines settled down. The shots were having the freedom to play the ball through the middle and out wide, After the Shots won another corner the ball went into the box and hit a couple of players before D Shepherd found the back off the net.7-0

By now this was one way traffic and Shots really starting to drive on, Meredith had come on for D Shepherd. The ball found Meredith who cut the Ball back to find Hann and make it 8-0.

The ninth and tenth goal came in quick time and both fell for Wallman to make it 9 and 10 nil. Ireland on for Giberson took a quick corner, which found Hann free and fired a half volley into the net.

As the game came to a close, the Shots made it 12- nil when Hann shot ,the keeper saved but Wallman was there to fire.12-0

Player of the Match goes to Danni shepherd

The Gaffer’s View

The main thing was to get three points so we could start pressing towards the top half off the league, the weather conditions didn’t make it easy, but this didn’t seem to affect our approach play which was outstanding at times.

The girls moved the ball well and caused Reading a lot off problems. Everyone played there part and it was another great squad performance

Calder, Smith , Giberson ( Ireland) , Coles, Grover, McDonald (Funnel) , North,  Wallman, c Shepherd , D Shepherd ( Meredith) Hann

Goals:

Wallman x5  hann x4  McDonald x2 D Shepherd x1

 Hants Cup 25th November 2007

Riverside Strikers 3 (0) -v- (0) 0 Aldershot Town Ladies (AET)

With Riverside sitting top of the Southern Premier League this was always going to be a good game with both teams going well over the last couple of weeks.

Riverside started the strongest and tried to press onto the Shots, but they were being matched everywhere on the pitch. Shepherd and North were making it hard for the Riverside in the midfield area. Riverside tried to launch the ball over the Shots back line, but Grover and Coles snuffed out the threat straight away. The Shots forward line of Hann and Wallman were battling hard to make any chances, but the last defender was always on hand to cover. Riverside caused a few problems and Calder was called into action on the 34^th minute, where she made a point-blank save and Grover and Coles cleared the ball of the goal line.

The Shots kept pressing and managed to get the ball wide on a number of occasions. One chance saw Shepherd receive the ball out wide on the left and crossed the ball behind the back four. McDonald broke free from her marker, tried to control the ball, but couldn't get her shot in before the Riverside defender closed her down.

In the second half Riverside pressed again but the danger was always cleared from the defence. Riverside won a number of corners, but Coles was always there to clear the threat.

The game was becoming stretched as each team was looking to finish off the tie. Indeed at the death, Riverside made a final assault on the goal, requiring the quick reactions of Calder, but the shot was only deflected into the path of another Riverside player, for her to slam it into the net. The home side thought they had won it, only for them to see the offside flag raised on the far side.

At 90 minutes, the score was 0-0. The referee decided to play extra time. But the light was fading fast. The pitch was lit up a couple of times by the aircraft taking off from Southampton airport. The extra-time period seem to have come at a bad time for the Shots and never really got going again. Within the first 60 seconds of extra-time, the ball was played over the Shots defence for a Riverside player to race onto it and put the ball past Calder in the goal. 0-1.

The Shots tried to put some more pressure on Riverside by changing their formation, and created a couple of chances but could not make anything count. The Shots defence was caught out on the 93^rd minute, when the ball came through the Shots defence and again the Riverside player reacted the better to put it into the net.
In the second half, the game became a lottery with the light fading and along with it, Aldershot 's hopes of pulling level. With 8 minutes to go, Riverside finished off the game scoring from outside the box to make it 3-0.

Gaffer's View

"I thought the players gave a great account of themselves over the 90 minutes and if it had been a league game I would have taken that. We seem to be caught cold in extra time and Riverside punished us for that. We have to meet them three more times in the cup and league. The quality of football played by both sides were at a high standard, I just hope we keep our standards up after the disappointment of going out off the cup. Myself and Jamie will get the team focussed again for next week's match.

I was very disappointed with the Hampshire FA aptitude over kick off times, at the end off the day we should have kicked off earlier as we all have make sure we play in a safe environment, and Sunday's game in extra time wasn't, due to the light.

Captain's Corner

"Having been narrowly beaten by Riverside in the cup last season and with them currently sitting top of the table we knew before kick off that this would be a close match, and close it was!

It was, as expected a very physical match with the Aldershot players holding their own, with every player battling hard all over the pitch and we made it very difficult for Riverside to create themselves any clear cut chances.

We managed to create a couple of half-chances ourselves, but just couldn't get that final touch and we had to clear the ball off the line at one stage but went into the half-time break full of confidence that we could go on and get a result.

The second half was pretty much a mirror of the first with some strong tackles being made by both teams.  The two teams were so evenly matched throughout the game it inevitably went into extra time, although we were rapidly losing light!  Riverside scored within a couple of minutes of the restart and our heads just dropped. We changed our formation but still could not find the back of the net.  The final result does flatter Riverside as we held our own but just couldn't get that all important first goal."

Squad: Calder, Smith ( Ireland 87"), Giberson, Coles (Meredith 91"), Grover, McDonald, North ©, Wallman, Hann, C. Shepherd, D. Shepherd (Funnell 45").

UPCOMING FIXTURES (all 2pm kick off)

Reading Ladies       SRPL       Home      2^nd Dec 07

Riverside Strikers   SRL Cup Home      13^th Dec 07

Southern Region Premier League 11th November 2007

Aldershot Town Ladies 6 -v- 2 Oxford Utd

With Oxford United promoted to the Premier League last season, the two sides knew little about each other. The Shots, kicking into the wind in the first half, started slowly. Oxford tried to use the wind to their advantage, caused the Shots defence a few headaches in the first 15 minutes, but the danger was always cleared. The Shots started to get a hold on the game and started to stretch the Oxford defence on a number off occasions, with Wallman and Hann going close. North was picking the pieces up in the midfield, and had a couple of shots from outside the box, which the keeper did well to deal with.

The pressure finally tolled and on 23 minutes the Shots won a corner. Smith swung the ball into the area, the keeper parried the ball onto the advancing North and the ball ended up in the back of the net.1-0 to the Shots.

The Shots pressed for the second, but were undone by Oxford who launched ball over the top of the Shots defence. Coles tried to close the Oxford player down, but she managed to slip the ball through to the Oxford forward who side-footed home to make it 1-1.

Again the game was going from end to end; the Shots went further ahead when again the Shots won another corner on 29 minutes. Again, Smith swung the ball deep for Coles to out-jump the Oxford defence to head into the roof of the net. 2-1 Shots.

Yet again from the restart, the Shots were caught cold. A long ball out to the right found the Oxford midfielder in space and burst through to fire high in the net to level the scores at 2-2. The Shots dug deep and pressed Oxford back; Wallman could have extended the lead but was unable to get a better connection on Hann's deep cross. On 44 minutes Wallman made up for her early miss. Calder's drop-kick found Wallman who controlled and sent a pass that split the Oxford defence. Hann gathered on the right, brushed off the Oxford player and crossed deep for Wallman to poke in to make it 3-2 at half-time.

With a few hash words from the management team, the Shots raised their game in the second half, playing at a higher tempo and started to cause the Oxford team all sorts of problems around the pitch. On 60 minutes the Shots won a throw, Giberson threw in to Wallman, who controlled, turned past Giberson and found Caz Shepherd. She pushed passed the defender and struck a left foot shot from outside the box which crashed in off the bar, to give her first Aldershot goal. 4-2.

Oxford did try and test the Shots, but the danger was snuffed out and Calder produced a double-save to deny Oxford getting back into the game. On 71 minutes, the Shots made the game safe. Another throw found Hann, who headed onto Wallman, who in turn passed to McDonald in the corner, who then played the ball down the line to Giberson, who crossed into the box, Hann lost her defender and being side onto the goal, struck the ball on the volley into the roof off the net. 5-2.

The Shots where dominating all over the pitch and the Shots passing game was opening up the Oxford defence time and time again. McDonald came close, with a one-on-one with the keeper. She placed her shot well, only to see it rebound off the post into the keeper's hands. Meredith came on for the injured Smith in the final 10 minutes and the defence reshuffled.

As the game come to a close, North won the ball in the midfield on 83 minutes. The Oxford player managed to get a challenge in and the ball broke nicely for Hann to pick up, Hann sent a reverse pass through the Oxford defence, North had gambled and carried on her run and latched onto the ball and coolly fired past the keeper to make it 6-2.

As the game come to a close Simone Hart, came on for Nikki McDonald to shore up the midfield.

Player of the Match goes to Tara Coles

Gaffer's View
"A much-needed 3 points, a game of two halves. We could not get our flowing football going in the first half but dug deep to get in front of Oxford . We didn't defend well in the first half and we sorted the problem out at half time. We took the game to Oxford and upped the tempo, which Oxford found hard to cope with. We created more chances this week and took our goals well. The girls have done fantastic over the last month or so, as we have changed the way we want them to play, and hopefully there are reaping the benefits now."

Captain's Corner
"Playing a newly promoted side we knew that Oxford United would set out to cause an upset and to prove they had earned the right to play at this level. After a poor start from us this unfortunately did look to be the case, we got ourselves into trouble early on but just before half time we managed to take the lead, going in 3-2 up. We ironed out a few problems in the break and came out for the second half looking to set things straight.  The second half performance was much better from us, we didn't give Oxford a look in, scoring a further 3 goals to make the final score 6-2. It's great to see that the goals are coming from all over the park this season which shows we are working hard for each other.  We are away to Riverside in the cup this week so we will be focussed fully on that."

Squad:
Hayley Calder, Di Smith (Tasha Meredith 80"), Kath Giberson, Tara Coles, Hanna Grover, Nikki McDonald (Simone Hart 85") Emma North ©, Laura Wallman, Laura Hann, Caz Shepherd, Danni Shepherd.
Sub not used: Laura Funnell

UPCOMING FIXTURES (all 2pm kick off)

·          Riverside Strikers (A) - Hampshire Women's Cup - 18/11

·          Bracknell Town (A) - League - 25/11

More information available at www.aldershotladies.co.uk

Southern Region Premier League 4th November 2007

Aldershot Town Ladies 0 -v- 1 Wycombe Wanderers

The Shots Ladies entertained Wycombe Wanderers at Farnborough gate on Sunday 4^th November 2007.

The matches between these two sides are always hard games, with not many goals scored, and this game was no exception. The game started off at a high tempo and this was kept up for most of the half, the Shots started to press from the start and were trying to thread the ball through the Wycombe's back four, which were coping well. When the Shots did get through, the ball just seemed to be over hit and the Wycombe keeper was there to tidy up.

The ball was being strung around the midfield area and chances at both ends became scarce. North was driving hard from midfield but seemed to always end up facing a blue wall. When the Shots were getting the ball wide, it was crossed into the box, but always seem to evade the Shots strikers, McDonald started to get the better of her marker and was working the ball well with Hann ,who came close to opening the scoring with the Shots first real effort. When Wycombe did break Grover, Coles and Smith where there to snuff out the threat.

On 32 minutes, The Shots again came close when the ball was whipped into the box, it eluded Wallman and McDonald couldn't get a foot on it to put the Shots one up. On the stroke of half-time, Hann and a Wycombe defender both went in for a ball near the edge of the penalty area, and both players went down injured. The Shots striker was down for several minutes (although the referee had by that point blown for the half-time interval) before gingerly regaining her feet.

In the second half it was more of the same, with the Shots system again giving them time and space on the ball to push on and attack the Wanderers goal, again as much as the Shots tried the ball never broke for them in the final third of the pitch. On 57 minutes, the game had its first goal, but it went against the run off play. The Wycombe midfield won the ball and launched it forward for the Wycombe striker to lob the ball from outside the box. It dipped over Calder in the Shots goal to give the visitors the lead.

  The Shots upped the tempo again and laid siege to the Wycombe goal. Again the blue defence was there to frustrate the Shots forwards. Again when the Shots had the ball wide it caused the Wycombe defence problems, but the Wycombe keeper was always on hand to clear up. With just over 10 minutes to go, having bravely battled during the second half taking several more knocks, Laura Hann was replaced by Tasha Meredith. The Shots continued to pile forward giving absolutely everything, with Giberson and Caz Shepherd coming close. But in the end the Shots had given their all, and the game finished with a 1-0 win to Wycombe.

Player of the Match goes to Caz Shepherd.

Gaffer's View
"From a neutral point of view, it was a great game to watch. Wycombe made it hard by getting numbers behind the ball. We struggled for the first time this season in front of goal and should have really done better. The girls never gave in and kept working away to the final whistle. I am disappointed as the game was there to be won, but you get games like that and we need to focus on our next game at home to Oxford United. The squad injury list has now dropped to one (Laura Funnell) and with hopefully two new signings this week; we will strengthen in every department on the field."

Captain's Corner
We knew before Kick off that this was going to be our first real test on home soil and given our results against Wycombe last season we knew it would be a tough match.  It was a hard fought battle and I was pleased with the effort that was put in by all the players involved.  The most disappointing factor was that we failed to create ourselves any clear-cut chances to really test the Wycombe keeper.  Overall it was a pretty even match with Wycombe just managing to get that vital first goal midway through the second half which made things a bit frantic for us towards the end. We will be working hard in training this week to put things right for this Sunday at home to Oxford United.

Squad: Hayley Calder, Di Smith, Kath Giberson, Tara Coles, Hanna Grover, Nikki McDonald, Emma North ©, Laura Wallman, Laura Hann (Meredith 77") Caz Shepherd, Danni Shepherd.

Cautions: Caz Shepherd 88"

UPCOMING FIXTURES (all 2pm kick off)

·          Oxford United (H) - League - 11/11

·          Riverside Strikers (A) - Hampshire Women's Cup - 18/11

·          Bracknell Town (A) - League - 25/11

More information available at www.aldershotladies.co.uk

Southern Region Premier League 28th October 2007

Shanklin 2 v 2 Aldershot Town Ladies

The Shots Ladies had their annual trip to Shanklin on the Isle of Wight on Sunday 28th October 2007. Shanklin were lying 2^nd, but had played 7 games to Aldershot 's 3, and Shanklin had a previous history of being one of the Shots 'bogey' teams on past form. However this was not to deter the current side as they battled out a fiercely-fought point at Green Lane .

The weather conditions were not great and the driving wind and rain was causing a concern. Shanklin kicked off and the Shots were on the back foot from the start, with the Shots trying to get out of their half the ball just kept getting pumped back in. On 11 minutes, the ball again broke free and a Shanklin player was the quickest to react when Calder came off her line to smother the shot. Again the Shots found it hard to get their football together and on 23 minutes from nothing the ball came to the right side off the Shots penalty box, the Shanklin player controlled and then hit a lofted shot into the net, which Calder could only watch. 1-0.

This spurred the Shots on and for the first time started to get their passing game going, with Danni Shepherd and Nikki McDonald starting to get freedom on the wings. Ireland and North started to combat and stifle the threat in midfield. On 27 minutes, the ball found Laura Hann, she out-paced the defenders and passed the Shanklin keeper who made contact to bring her down in the box. The referee, who had an all-round good game, cautioned the Shanklin number one, and Laura Wallman stepped up to fire the penalty high into the net for her 11th goal of the season 1-1.

Once again the midfield battle kept getting bogged down and Shanklin tried to catch the Shots defence out with the long ball, but Calder and Grover saw away the danger each time. As the Shots tried to hold out until half time, a Shanklin striker hit a shot from 25 yards it caught the wind and moved in the air and all Calder could do is flap at the ball as it passed her into the net 2-1.

At half time, the Shots re-grouped and came out fighting, and from the kick off you could see the Shots had upped their game. This time Shanklin found it hard to get out of their own half. Hann was coming more into the game and North had a few half-chances. When Shanklin did break out, the back four of Coles, Smith, Grover and Giberson held firm and cleared the danger.
The Shots equalised once again on 53 minutes, when a ball was played through the midfield, but when the Shanklin defender tried to control the ball, Hann was on hand again to nip in and place the ball exquisitely past the keeper into the net to score her 9th of the season. 2-2

The game wore on and either side could have taken all 3 points, and at the final whistle, the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Player of the Match goes to Hanna Grover.

The Gaffer's View
The weather conditions didn't help, it was one of those games you had to earn the right to win. We never got to grips with the conditions in the first half and took time to get our own game going. We seemed settled in the second half, caused them problems, and in the end I believe the draw was a fair result.
I would just like to thank Tony Brooker for organizing a coach for the trip over, it saved a lot of work. Thanks Tony.

The Captain's View
This was a tough fought game, which was to be expected given the history between the two teams.  It was one of those games where grit and determination played a huge part. Overall, it was a good team performance with everyone working hard for each other.  It was a real battle but we stood our ground and did well to get a point away from home in poor weather conditions.  We're back at home on Sunday so will be fully focused and looking forward to that.  Thank you to everyone who made the trip across to Shanklin to support us and to Tony Brooker for organising the coach, it was very much appreciated.

Squad
Hayley Calder, Di Smith, Katherine Giberson, Tara Coles, Hanna Grover, Nikki McDonald, Emma North ©, Stacey Ireland, Danni Shepherd, Laura Wallman, Laura Hann .

Subs: Tasha Meredith, Jo Donoghue

Goals: Wallman (pen) 27", Hann 53"

Cautioned: Smith

Southern Region Premier League 21st October 2007

Aldershot Town Ladies  5 v 0 Southampton Ladies

Farnborough Gate

The Shots Ladies entertained Southampton Ladies at Farnborough gate on Sunday 21^st October 2007. After a good result last week at home to Reading Ladies in the cup, the Shots needed to get their league campaign back on track.
The Shots again started brightly, forcing Southampton on the back foot; this was going be a tougher test with Southampton being more physical. A midfield battle was being waged between both midfield players, and slowly the Shots were coming out on top, with some tough tackling from Ireland and North.
In the eighth minute, the ball was won in the midfield and spread out to the left for Wallman to control and cross for Kagbo to hit pass the Southampton goalkeeper 1-0. Southampton started to press, but found it hard to get past the defence of Coles, Grover, and Giberson. If they did get the long ball over the defence, the Shots keeper Calder was there to snuff out any threat.
The Shots pressed again with Hann, Wallman and Kagbo coming close. On 30 minutes the ball was pushed out to the right side, Giberson collected the ball, skipped past one player, looked up and found Wallman who had perfectly run from deep to chest the ball down and place her shot into the right hand corner.
With the Shots taking the game to Southampton , the Shots went a further goal ahead just before half time. On 43 minutes, a Southampton move was cleared by Coles.
The ball found Wallman, who thread the ball to Kagbo (who was slightly offside but missed by the Southampton linesman), raced clear of the defence and fired high into the net. At half-time the Shots went in at the break 3-0 up.

After the break it was similar to the first half with the midfield battle taking place, Southampton had a couple of efforts, which saw one fly over the bar and Calder save easily at the near post. The Shots pushed forward and come close on a number of times, with one effort cleared off the line from Kagbo.
After 59 minutes, the Shots scored their fourth goal. Calder cleared to Coles, who headed on to Ireland . Ireland played it through to Hann who turned and chipped the Southampton defence, Kagbo raced on to it chased by a Southampton defender. The Southampton defender took Kagbo out, but the ball found Wallman, and with the referee playing the advantage, Wallman collected the ball and fired past the keeper.
As the game came to the end, the Shots finished off the game with a fine one-touch move. Donoghue started the move on the left of midfield, passed on to Meredith who played in North. North played a neat one-two with Hann and the Shots skipper calmly slotted pass the keeper. Final Score 5-0

Player of the Match goes to Laura Wallman

The Gaffer's View
"We knew this would be a greater test from the week before and Southampton showed that they could be a more physical team. The girls knew what they had to do and again showed great character not only as a team, but also as a squad. It is nice to have a near complete squad fit again. I think this season we are working more as a unit and have worked hard on this in training, and over the last couple of weeks have proved it with the clean sheets.

Calder, Smith (D Shepherd 69"), Giberson, Coles, Grover, McDonald (Meredith 89"), North, Ireland (Donoghue 82") Wallman, Kagbo, Hann

Goals: Kagbo 8", 43", Wallman 30", 59", North 90"+4

Qualifying Round - League Cup 14th October 2007

Aldershot Town Ladies  18 v 0 Reading Ladies

Farnborough Gate
 

After a disappointing display in the F.A. Cup, the Ladies were looking to get back on winning ways and they certainly done that. From the start, it was one-way traffic and the Shots came close on a number of occasions in the opening five minutes. After just 9 minutes, the deadlock was broken, when the ball was played out to Laura Wallman, who crossed into the box for Crystal Kagbo to fire home 1-0.
The Shots pressed again and where starting to play some delightful football, opening up Reading every time they went forward. On 16 minutes, the ball was played in from the right and Wallman chipped the keeper to make it 2-0.

On 25 minutes, the Shots were awarded a penalty after Wallman was pulled down inside the area. Wallman calmly dispatched the penalty past the keeper to make it 3-0. The Shots again used the width on 28 minutes, stretching the Reading defence. Caroline Shepherd found Hann unmarked in the center of midfield, to fire in from outside the box to make the score 4-0.
On 42 minutes, captain Emma North collected the ball on the right wing. Her cross was deflected onto the cross bar and Wallman was on hand to head past the keeper. Half time score 5-0.
After the interval, the Shots took the game to Reading , restricting them to their own half. On 47 minutes Giberson swung a deep corner to the back of the box, where North was there to volley in. 6-0

The Shots were causing headache after headache for the Reading defence, as again on 49 minutes the ball was played out to the right and Caroline Shepherd crossed for Crystal Kagbo who laid it for Laura Hann to fire in - 7-0. Straight from the start, North found Hann and fed the ball through the Reading defence for McDonald to cross for Kagbo to side foot in - 8-0.
The Shots made their first change of the match seeing Danni Shepherd introduced onto the left side off midfield. From the kick off the Shots won possession and fed Hann who chipped the keeper from 25 yards 9-0. The Shots hadn't finished yet and again poured forward. Wallman fired past the keeper, scoring her fourth of the afternoon to send the goal tally into double figures -10-0.
On 61 minutes, Reading tried to break out from midfield, but Grover collected the ball from her half, passed three players and fired a shot from 25 yards that found the back off the net.11-0. On 64 minutes, Wallman found North who skipped pass three defenders to side foot pass the keeper 12-0.

  Danni Shepherd was causing problems on the left with her deep crosses and came close, but finally she found Hann free, who shot home on 67 minutes 13-0. Again on 70 minutes Hann was allowed time and space to fire home 14-0. Giberson from the corner again found Hann free to head in on 72 minutes, completing her second hat-trick of the day, her last three goals all coming within a frantic five-minute spell.
With Reading well and truly buried at this point, the Shots finished with a flourish, Wallman fired in from inside the box after some good work by Hann and McDonald on 78 minutes to make it 16-0. On 85 minutes, another corner found the Shots centre-half Coles who towered above every one to head into the net.17-0.
On 89 minutes the ball was thread out wide to Danni Shepherd whose cross into the box found McDonald, who controlled the ball and fired in to make the full time score. 18-0

Player of the Match goes to Laura Hann

Managers View

"After the disappointment of going out of the FA Cup, we were looking to get a good performance under our belts. We worked on a number of things in training and tried some different things today.

At times the passing game was outstanding and the finishing was excellent, and it's also great to have a nearly fit squad who are all battling for starting places. We are taking every game as it comes, and hopefully we will start to push on in the league campaign against Southampton next Sunday.

Calder, Giberson, Coles, Grover (Donoghue) McDonald, C Shepherd, North (Meredith), Ireland (D Shepherd), Wallman, Kagbo, Hann

Subs not used: Hargreaves, Smith

Goal timings:

Crystal Kagbo 9", 55"

Laura Wallman 16", 25", 42", 58", 78"

Laura Hann 28", 49", 56", 67", 70", 72"

Emma North ©, 47", 64"

Hanna Grover 61"

Tara Coles 85"

Nikki McDonald 89"

The FA Women's Cup sponsored by eon (2nd Qualifying Round) 30th September 2007

Aldershot Town Ladies  1 v 6 Horley Town Ladies

The Recreation Ground, Aldershot Town FC

The Shots Ladies hosted Horley town in the second qualifying round of the Women's FA cup at the Recreation Ground. Horley from the South Eastern Premier would give the Shots a good test, and from the kick off Horley settled the better and were using the open spaces of The Recreation Ground.

The Shots defence were caught out early on with a long ball over the top for their forward to run on to and easily fire past Calder in the Shots goal.0-1

The Shots started to press and on a number off occasions should have levelled the score. Finally McDonald won the ball in midfield, moved it onto Hann who out-paced her marker to get a cross into the box. The Horley keeper and defender went for the ball, which dropped to McDonald who sided footed in at the back post for her first goal of the season.1-1

The game became more open and both teams started to test both 'keepers. Toward half-time, and the Shots failed to clear the ball, and the Horley forward fired the ball, which took a wicked deflection in off an Aldershot defender.

Half time score Aldershot 1 Horley 2.

After half-time, the game seemed to be evenly balanced, with the Shots having the greater amount of possession. Again, the long ball was catching the Shots out as the Horley forward found the back off the net 1-3. At this point the Shots heads were down and Horley pressed on for the kill. The Referee gave yellow cards out to two of the Shots players, much to the bewilderment of the management team.

Horley scored the fourth goal mid-way through the second half, when again the ball wasn't cleared and the Shots were yet again punished.

Horley's 5^th goal came in the final minute of normal time, when the Shots keeper and Horley forward went for the ball. With both players lying on the floor, a Horley player reacted quickest and side footed home to make it 1-5. However that was the least of the Shots' concern, as Hayley Calder had to be stretchered off with a serious injury.

With the Shots losing their goalkeeper and down to 10 players, having used up all three substitutes and Meredith moving between the sticks, again Horley broke and scored another goal before the final whistle sounded.

Final score: Aldershot 1 Horley 6

Congratulations to Nikki Hargreaves who received the Player of the Match award.

Managers' views

The players let themselves down on the big stage, Horley were hungrier for the game and it showed. I thought the referee spoiled a good game and after watching the video ,still don't know what the yellow cards were for, I wish referees would just treat ladies football as they do when they referee men's football.

Again it doesn't take away the fact that we didn't perform in most areas of the pitch.

The Squad:

Calder, Hargreaves, Giberson, Coles, Grover, North, C Shepherd, McDonald , Ireland , Hann, Kagbo Subs: Wallman, D Shepherd, Meredith Sub not used: Donoghue

Next game:

The Shots next game is at Farnborough Gate in the Southern Region League Cup against Reading Ladies on the 14^th October 2007

Southern Region Premier League 23rd September 2007

Oxford City  1 v 1 Aldershot Town Ladies

The Shots ladies battled out an entertaining game that could easily have gone either way.

The Shots started with the same team that had gone down so well against Abbey Rangers in the FA Cup the week before. From the start both teams started to try and get their passing game going. This was becoming hard as the weather conditions became worse throughout the afternoon.

Oxford had the first clear attack on goal when a cross from deep inside the Aldershot half found an unmarked attacker who headed home past Calder - but the attacker had been correctly judged offside by the Aldershot linesman and the Shots could breathe a sigh of relief.

Oxford pressed forward and were kept to trying their luck from long range, which didn't cause the Shots keeper any problems. The Shots seemed to up their game, the midfield battle was starting to be won by the Shots and Oxford was reverting to long balls. The Shots came close on a number of occasions as both sides pressed at either end. Oxford won a number of free kicks around the box, which didn't cause the Shots any problems.

As the half time whistle was approaching, the ball was again won in the midfield. It was switched along the back line to Smith, and she decided to venture forward for the first time. She cut in onto her right front, struck a shot from 35 yards out, the Oxford keeper couldn't get near the ball as it hit the back of the net, giving the Shots a 1-0 lead with minutes of the first half remaining.

Oxford again played the long ball that nearly caught the Shots defence out, Calder quick off her line hit the ball away, which rebounded off the Oxford City player and was heading for the open goalmouth, but for some sterling defensive work from Tara Coles.

Half time Oxford City 0 Aldershot Town 1.

The second half was much the same as both teams pressed, Oxford again trying their luck with the ball into their strikers, but the shots defence held strong. But less than six minutes into the second half the Shots defence was breached - a ball from the left found a Oxford attacker clear who shot pass Calder 1-1

Wallman who had played alone most of her time up front gave way for Kagbo, and on a number of occasions the former Portsmouth University strike partnership of Hann and Kagbo linked well to cause the Oxford goalkeeper some problems. Caz Shepherd was making some great interceptions in the midfield which was allowing the Shots to counter attack, which nearly saw the Shots through on goal only to see the Oxford linesman this time have the offside flag raised.

The Shots lost goal scorer Smith to injury in the last 10 minutes, providing some heated exchanges during the delay between the Aldershot players and the Oxford physio as well as an infuriated supporter. The situation was resolved quickly by the Aldershot linesman - much to the bemusement of the Oxford players. The Shots had to shuffle their pack, which saw Danni Shepherd introduced. Oxford pressed again, but a great rear guard action kept them out. Final score 1-1

Player of the Match goes to Di Smith (Well Done)

Managers View

"It took us a while to get into the game and to get to grips with their formation, but once we settled down and soaked up their pressure, we were able to counter attack and cause them a few problems. It was a great goal to get and it was against the run of play, but that's football. I was a little disappointed to concede so early in the second half, but the girls never gave in and worked really hard for each other. I was happy to take a point off them."

Calder, Giberson, Coles, Grover, Smith (D Shepherd), McDonald, C Shepherd, North (Capt), Ireland , Wallman (Kagbo), Hann .
Sub not used: Meredith.

Next fixture:

Aldershot Town vs. Horley Town

F.A. Women's Cup 2^nd Qualifying Round sponsored by e.on

Sunday 30 September, 2pm

The Recreation Ground, Aldershot Town FC

The Women's F.A Cup 16th September 2007

Abbey Rangers   0 v 6 Aldershot Town Ladies

The Shots started their FA Cup campaign away to Abbey Rangers after having a bye in the last round. From the kick off the shots were on top of their game, closing down the opposing players and counter attacking well. On three minutes the ball was worked through the Shots Midfield, which found Hann busting through the Abbey defence to fire in from 14 yards 0-1 to the Shots. Straight from the kick off the ball broke to the shots midfield, a inter change between North and Shepherd found Hann again who out sprinted the defence fire pass the Goalkeeper from 18 yards 0-2.

Abbey started to use the long ball and with the wind it did cause a few problems for the defence, but with the pace of Grover and the aerial strength of Coles this was cut out.
On 11 minutes the Shots poured forward the ball was crossed into Hann and Wallman , but somehow the goalkeeper and defender manage to clear the ball out ,but only landed at Irelands feet and from 20 yards out lob the defence and keeper to score the Shots 3^rd goal 0-3. The Shots didn't have it all their own way as on a number of occasions the Abbey midfield broke from deep, but were restricted to long shots and some good goalkeeping from Calder. As the Half time again the Shots pressed forward and the ball found Wallman unmarked to dispatch the ball into the back off the net.0-4

In the second half again the Shots pressed with Abbey offering nothing, Ireland was replaced by Hargreaves after 55 minutes and this allowed Grover to move on to the right of midfield, the shots fullbacks where having more freedom and were pushing on in support of the wide midfielders. On a number of occasions Hann and McDonald came close to increasing the score. North was getting the freedom to run from deep and fired a shot from 25 yards which hit the cross bar and came out in the box for Wallman to fire home.0-5

Abbey came close in the last 15 minutes when the striker fired a shot from 18 yards which saw Calder who had been a spectator for most off the match tip over the Bar. As the game was coming to a close Wallman fired in after some good work from the midfield to complete her Hat trick and the Shots Ladies finished off 0-6 winners.

Player of the Match goes to Emma North (Well Done)

Managers View

We didn't really know a lot about Abbey Rangers and the FA Cup always produces the odd shock result, and we didn't want to be that team. However the players took onboard what we told them and looked solid, composed and showed great character on every part of the pitch. More importantly we kept a clean sheet and looked capable of scoring a lot more.   

Calder, Giberson , Coles, Grover, Smith ( Meredith) McDonald, C Shepherd, North, Ireland ( Hargreaves), Wallman, Hann ( Kagbo)

The Shots next game is away to Oxford City in the Southern Regions Premier League on the 23^rd Sept 1400hrs kick off.

Southern Region Premier League 9th September 2007

Slough   1 v 0 Aldershot Town Ladies

The Shots Ladies travelled to Slough Ladies for there first Southern League game of the season. The Shots gave debuts to Crystal Kagbo in attack and Caroline Shepherd in Midfield.  The shots started at a high tempo and kept Slough pegged back in there own half, a number of inter-changes in the midfield from North and C Shepherd put in Hann and Kagbo only to see their shots go wide. They kept pressing and North again came close when the goalkeeper saved from 18 yards.

Slough slowly started to come back into the game, but had to revert to the long ball, which Cole and Grover had no problem dealing with. The ball started to get bogged down in the midfield; neither team could seem to make any headway.

On 38 minutes the game went Sloughs way, with a long ball down the left, which evaded the Shots defence, the slough striker was one on one with the shots keeper, Calder made a point-blank save and the threat was cleared by Grover. On 42 minutes, Smith and a Slough attacker both went for the ball on the far touchline, with the ball ricocheting into the path of the unsuspecting Aldershot linesman - sending him to the floor. It provided a moment of all-round humour.

With the ball always being hit long, the Shots midfield started to lose the grip on the game. On 45 minutes the referee gave a decision against Shepherd for holding. The Concentration dropped for the first time and allowed one off the Slough players to fire home at the back post 1-0.

After half-time the Shots took control. Pushing on the Shots started to put the Slough goal under constant pressure, North and Hann again coming close, Nikki McDonald making her debut took over from Danni Shepherd on the left-hand side of midfield. She made an instant impact by linking well with Hann to carve out a number of half-cut chances.

Wallman replaced Kagbo and gave the Slough defence some problems with some great hold up play. With Shots pushing so hard, Slough broke away on a number off occasions, but Grover and Calder dealt with the threat well

As the Shots pressed for the equalizer, a number of shots went close and eventually the ladies ran out of time. Well done to Caroline Shepherd who was voted Player of the Match for the Shots.

Managers' views

Slough are one of the favourites to be promoted this season, but I thought we out-played them in every department - it was one lack of concentration that cost us. I thought the girls were outstanding considering the hampered pre-season we had, and it was nice not to pick up fresh injuries. I hope that we can put things right for the Abbey Rangers game.

The Squad:
Calder, Grover, Kagbo (Wallman 75"), Smith, Coles, Giberson, North, Ireland , Hann (Meredith 90"+6,) C Shepherd, D Shepherd (McDonald 58")

Next game:
The Shots next game is away to Abbey Rangers ( Chertsey ) in the FA Cup on 16^th Sept 1400hrs kick off.

Pre Season Friendly 12th August 2007

Crawley Wasps   1 v 2 Aldershot Town Ladies

The Shots first pre season game was against Crawley Wasps of the Southern Eastern Premier Div. The Shots, with a mixture of younger players started well, playing in a 4-4-2 system, they started to press Crawley into their own half. The shots created a couple of half chances, but the Crawley Defence was coping well. The Shots had a couple of corners in succession, in which the Crawley keeper dealt with them well. On 18 minutes Crawley broke away after a mix up with the Shots Defence, The Crawley striker shot from 15 yards and Calder could only push the ball into the far corner off the net. 1-0

The Shots again started to press and came close on a number of occasions with Smith and Kagbo going close, as the first half came to a close Club captain North was introduced, within a couple off minutes she drove forward and fired a shot from 20 yards which the keeper managed to tip onto the bar.
As the first half came to a close Funnell went into a 50-50 ball and sustained ligament damage, which will keep her out for a month.

In the second half the shots change to a 3-5-2 formation and this caused Crawley a lot of problems, with the Shots getting the ball wide and using the wingbacks to stretch Crawley , chance after chance was created. Hann was causing problems to their defensive line by dropping deep and collecting the ball and running at the Defence.

With extra players in the midfield the shots passing game was starting to come together. On 55 minute North feed the ball to Hann who played in Kagbo to fire home on her debut 1-1.
Grover and Shepherd started to get a lot of space and was creating a lot of chances.
On 77 mins again the ball was played wide Grover sent a low cross which wasn't cleared by the Crawley Defence, Kagbo held it up laid it back to Meredith who fired her shot from 18 yards into the roof of the net.1-2
Crawley still used to long ball, to try and catch the Shots Defence out, but Calder was on hand to cover the threat.

In all a good work for the Shots, it's great to see that the younger members being able to cope at this level.

The Shots next game is on 19^th away to Swindon Town Kick off 15.00

Team
Calder, Hargreaves, Coles, Grover, Funnel , Ireland , Meredith, McDonald, Wallman, Kagbo, Hann, North, Donoghue, Giberson, Shepherd, Smith

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