From the Daily Torygraph yesterday

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

Got it off the shots messageboard, wouldn't catch me reading that tosh

 

St Albans City were given a sharp reminder of the high level of football they now face when Aldershot Town came to Clarence Park on Saturday. In a 17-minute spell during the second half, the visitors scored four times to take a 5-1 lead. Undaunted, the Conference newcomers made three substitutions and fought back gamely, scoring twice in the final five minutes to produce an outcome that has given both managers considerable food for thought as clubs in non-League's elite division complete three games of the new season.

 

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The respective ambitions of these two clubs differ greatly. As Aldershot once again prepare to challenge for a return to the Football League so St Albans, still a part-time club in a predominantly full-time competition, are primarily concerned with preserving their new-found status.

 

It is easy to understand why. When Aldershot Town were founded in 1992, it was to replace the debt-ridden Aldershot FC, who had folded in mid-season, sacrificing 60 years' membership of the Football League. The new club, who were able to play at the historic Recreation Ground, started life again in the Third Division of the Isthmian League. At the time St Albans were playing in the Isthmian Premier, having been members since 1923.

 

With Aldershot Town winning two promotions on their way back up the non-League ladder, the clubs met in season 1998-99, the rivalry continuing until manager Terry Brown finally took the Shots into the Conference in 2003. With attendances averaging over 2,000, Aldershot have reached the play-offs every season since and are now fully professional.

 

With the restructuring of the national league system in 2004, St Albans became one of the founder members of the Conference South, securing promotion after last season's play-off final victory over Histon. But while Saturday's opponents reside in a town crying out for League football, St Albans' attendances did not reach four figures at Clarence Park last season. In a county, Hertfordshire, that now boasts a Premiership club and a Football League club, the ancient city of Verulam is not regarded as a football hotbed, and therein lies the problem of Saints' continued development.

 

However, Colin Lippiat's side could not have made a better start in the Conference, winning 3-1 at Kidderminster on the opening day and holding another former Football League club, Cambridge United, to a draw in front of 1,916 at Clarence Park last Tuesday. Significantly, the visitors brought around 800 fans with them, and Aldershot's support topped 500 among Saturday's attendance of 1,373.

 

There was no hint of what was to come as Darren Barnard's 45th-minute penalty, to give Aldershot the lead, was the only highlight of a dull first half. However, after Ram Marwa equalised for Saints early in the second half, Shots took complete control, with former Hereford and Halifax striker John Grant grabbing two superb goals, having supplied the cross for Ryan Williams' volleyed effort in the 57th minute. Marcus Gayle, now 35 and with over 500 senior appearances for Wimbledon, Watford, Glasgow Rangers and Brentford to his name, headed home powerfully from Louis Soares' excellent cross in the 74th minute.

 

Much to Lippiat's pride and Brown's concern, St Albans picked themselves off the floor and dominated the remaining 20 minutes, Tom Davis converting a penalty two minutes from time and substitute Dean Cracknell getting the last touch to make the final score 5-3

 

 

[Electric ~soul~]

Quote:

EFM The Firm, The Voice said:
Got it off the shots messageboard, wouldn't catch me reading that tosh

Quite right. The Daily Star is more your level.