The return of Marvin Morgan…

By Tony Alvarez
This Saturday sees the return of Marvin Morgan to his former club Aldershot Town as his new side Shrewsbury Town visit Aldershot‘s EBB Stadium.
To outsiders this may not seem anything out of the ordinary players return to their former clubs all the time, but very few return in the circumstances that surround Morgan’s first game against the Shots.
Morgan left Aldershot Town under a huge cloud of controversy and ill feeling. After being substituted and booed off by his own fans a enraged Morgan took to twitter to abuse the booing fans he tweeted “like to thank the fans who booed me off the pitch. Where’s that going to get you! I hope you all die.”
Needless to say the fans were fuming about this tweet especially as someone linked with the club had sadly passed away a few days previously, as well as the fans being dismayed the club were not too impressed, Morgan never played for the club again and was instantly loaned out to at the time League One club Dagenham and Redbridge however he struggled to get much game time.
At the end of Morgan’s loan spell he was due to return to Aldershot but he was quickly moved on to League Two rivals Shrewsbury Town.
Whilst Morgan’s side Shrewsbury have been performing well in the League Morgan has not exactly set the division alight, don’t get me wrong he has played well but he has not thus far had the goal return he would of hoped for.

The hit man has netted 8 times for the Shrews in all competitions which include 23 starts and one appearance off the substitute bench, unusually for a striker Morgan has picked up more yellow cards in the league than he has scored goals.

At present Shrewsburywill not mind that Morgan is not firing on all cylinders as the club are sitting 4^th in the table just one point off an automatic promotion spot and are unbeaten since October 15^th and would expect to continue that tomorrow againstAldershot.

Although Aldershot are not doing as well in the League as some of the clubs fans players and staff would of hoped they don’t appear to be missing Morgan due to the form of Aldershot academy graduate Danny Hylton.

Hylton won the League Two player of the month award for October and has hit 11 goals in all competitions for the side currently lying in 16^th in the League Two table.

At 22 years old Hylton has really come of age this season and his more mature performances have resulted in him hitting the back of the net more often than in any other spell in his career.

Of course Morgan and Hylton did play together and do know each other well but there is no rivalry between the two as they remain friends off the pitch, if Twitter is anything to go by Hylton is one of the only attachments Morgan still has with Aldershot Town.

During the FA Cup 1st round ties Morgan tweeted all the clubs he wished well, Aldershot were not included one fan picked up on this and asked Morgan if he had any well wishes for the club that gave him his big football league break his reply was quite simply “Good luck Danny Hylton”.

The above quote shows Morgan has no feelings for his former employers and the feeling is mutual from the majority ofAldershotTownfans, with club message boards, forums and once again Twitter being filled with anti Morgan messages.

It is fair to say Morgan will  receive a hostile reception tomorrow but the fans should be careful, a barrel of abuse aimed at one player can often spur a player on and Morgan has openly admitted he will have no qualms celebrating in front of the home fans should he find the back of the net.

What are your thoughts? Is the treatment Morgan is likely to receive justified? Do you have any opinions of Morgan? Will Hylton out shine Morgan on Saturday? Despite Hyltons goals do you still feel Morgan has been missed? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts

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FA Cup Preview: Sheffield Wednesday v Aldershot Town

By Laurie Fitzgerald

This weekend sees the return of the FA Cup as the second round gets underway, and there are potential upsets through the draw.

One of the more intriguing line-ups comes at Hillsbrough as League One promotion-chasers Sheffield Wednesday take on League Two side Aldershot Town.

For both sides, this presents a real chance to make it through to the next round and potentially get a money-spinning draw against Premier League opposition.

Wednesday boss Gary Megson will want his team to carry on the momentum that they have built in the league in recent weeks.

Since the shock 5-1 hammering they suffered at Stevenage, the Owls have gone on to win eight and draw two of their last eleven league matches, a run that’s see them move into the automatic promotion places.

So confidence will be high going into a home tie against lower league opposition. However, Dean Holdsworth‘s men will be determined to maintain their impressive cup form this season.

They managed to reach the fourth round of that competition which included an away win at West Ham, before Manchester United knocked them out at the Recreation Ground last month.

It will come as a welcome distraction for the Shots, who have seen their form dip in recent weeks. After going on a three-game winning run, they have now lost their last three league games to leave them in 16th position.

Their main threat is set to come from rising star Danny Hylton. The 22 year-old striker has already scored 12 goals this season, and will provide the biggest chance of breaking through the Wednesday defence.

For Megson it all depends on whether or not he decides to rest players in order to maintain fitness levels for the crucial weeks ahead in the league.

This may give recent loan signing Sanchez Watt a chance. The 20 year-old has joined on a two-month loan deal from Arsenal, and the pacy striker could prove to be an astute signing in the absence of top scorer Gary Madine through a broken toe.

Prediction: Megson’s team selection could prove crucial; Wednesday’s main priorities lie in their promotion push, and this might allow Aldershot to sneak a result. I’m going for a 1-1 draw.

So what do you think? Will Sheffield Wednesday book a safe passage to the third round? Or will Aldershot cause another cup shock this season? Leave a comment and let us know your views.

Carling Cup preview: Aldershot Town vs Rochdale

Carling Cup preview: Aldershot
Town vs Rochdale

By Tony Alvarez & Sarah Lomas (@girlonaterrace)

Aldershot Town go into this game on a long unbeaten run
which leaves them lying 11^th in League One but only three points off
third place, they have also performed well to get to the third round of the
Carling Cup beating Championship giants West Ham in the first round thanks to
goals from Luke Guttridge and Danny Hylton.

The Shots under former Wimbledon hero Dean Holdsworth then
beat higher level opposition in Carlisle United thanks to a Michael Rankine and
an own goal from Carlisle’s Darren Livesey.

The Shots unbeaten run which is 7 games in all competitions,
has coincided with a return to form of both strikers Daniel Hylton and Michael
Rankine, they now hope to take the scalp of a higher league opposition for the
third time in a short amount of time.

Aside from the Hylton and Rankine the players to watch for AldershotTown
in my opinion are attacking midfielder Peter Vincenti who notched the winner against
Bristol rovers on Saturday and left back Anthony Straker. Although at left back he is not in a
position that will greatly influence the game, he is one of the Shots best
performers and is well worth a mention, as well as being a full international
for Grenada.

View on Rochdale by Rochdale season ticket holder Sarah
Lomas of www.girlonaterrace.com

We’re a fairly new squad this season compared to last and
looking at the team we’ve some top-notch players too both upfront, in midfield
and at the back with a mixture of both skilled and more technical players.

Striker Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro is definitely one to watch,
he’s had a fantastic start to the season; after Chris O’Grady left he’s been
given his chance and although he’s a different style of player he’s certainly
made an impression. He’s not a target man but he’s quick on his feet and knows
where the goal is.

Then there’s Ashley Grimes, he causes all kinds of problems
for defenders, he’s nippy and determined and yet another who will find the net
regularly and I expect him to be right up there with the top scorers in the
league this season. Andrew Tutte is quite similar but an attacking midfielder,
he’s been a welcome addition to the squad and has given us much more pace in
the middle.

Of course, I have to mention captain fantastic Gary Jones.
We nearly lost him in the summer but thankfully we offered him an extra year he
was after. He’s what keeps our team together and gets the lads motivated. He’s
the type of player everyone wants in their squad and despite being 34 years old
he’s had some of his best seasons of his career these past few years.

At the back you’ll notice Marcus Holness, he’s a big lad and
your typical lower league centre back. He doesn’t mind putting a tackle in and
getting involved and he’s certainly someone you don’t mess with. He’s
flourished in League One after a bit of and hit and miss start at Rochdale and is now firmly a first team player who looks
set to only get better.

And lastly, right back Stephen Darby is one to watch. He’s
on loan from Liverpool and turned numerous
clubs down to join us. You can definitely see a higher level of skill in his
movement and picking out players, and we’ve started to see him getting further
forward of recent times too.

Sarah’s prediction: 2-1 to Rochdale

Tony’s prediction 2:1 to Aldershot
goals from Hylton and Vincenti

Leave a comment and
let us know how you think the result will go? Whose opinion do you agree with more?
Who are your players too watch out for? Let us know your thoughts?

If you are on Twitter
be sure to follow us on @sfts1 and Sarah @girlonaterrace

Carling cup round one preview: West Ham United vs Aldershot Town

By Tony Alvarez

Last season myself and Laurie both picked a side from the FA
cup onwards and followed them throughout the tournament when they lost we
followed the team who beat them, this continued all the way through to the
final. This year we are doing the same with the Carling Cup starting with my
selection Aldershot Town.

This is the David and Goliath of the League Cup, Aldershot
Town are in their 3^rd year back in the Football League, coming off
the back of an average season with a good end after the appointment of Dean
Holdsworth.

In contrast West Ham United had a nightmare season getting
relegated from the Premier League, in the summer they had somewhat of a rebuild
including new manager in Sam Allardyce, as well as keeping hold of the likes England
internationals Scott Parker, Carlton Cole and Robert Green.

Despite the key signings and keeping hold of star players
West Ham slumped to an opening day defeat in the Championship at home to
promotion rivalsCardiffCity.

Aldershot had a better start to the new campaign with a 2-1
win away at Bradford with goals from striker Danny Hylton and an own goal from
Bradford’s Robbie Threlfall.

This fixture was originally scheduled for 15 days ago however due to riots the game was postponed to today and the fortunes of both clubs have changed dramatically since the original date set for the match.

However since the opening day of the season fortunes have changed massively for both clubs,Aldershothave failed to find the back of the net and have lost three games in a row.

West Ham since their defeat to Cardiff the Hammers have found their feet in the Championship, recording two wins away from home before being held at home by fellow promotion hopefuls Leeds United.

Allardyce is still looking for his first victory at Upton Park following his summer appointment and will not want to get the home support on his back so will go with a strong side to keep the fans on side.

Players in the Aldershot camp they will see this
as a major chance to get their name in lights, it‘s a
chance to make a name for themselves and with the transfer window still open
maybe put themselves in the shop window.

Aldershotmanager Dean Holdsworth likes to deploy a 4-2-3-1
formation which gives the side good width whilst being able to give good
support to both the defence and the attack.

Aldershot don’t currently have any star names for the fans
that are not familiar with the Football Leagues, if you happen to watch the game
look out for the earlier mentioned Daniel Hylton who can play any where across
the front line, impressive left back Anthony Straker who represented England at
under 18 level and England C international Alex Rodman who can also play across
the front line.

I doubt West Ham’s squad need much introduction but should
you be unaware they have many players of Premier League quality such as Mark
Noble, Matthew Taylor and Kevin Nolan to name just a few.

Although many people will write them off you cannot count
Aldershot out they are a good unit who work for each other and that will always
give them a chance. Of course West Ham will be favourites with the bookies and
rightly so but I do not expect a mauling.

For me the smart money is on a 3-0 or 3-1 home win, a morale
boosting win for West Ham and Aldershot can go back to Hampshire with their
heads held high.

What are your thoughts? Will West Ham completely dominate the shots? Who are the players to watch out for in this tie in your opinion? What is your score prediction? Leave
a comment and let us know your thoughts

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please follow us on @sfts1

Carling Cup Preview: Update

As I’m sure you’re all aware, due to the outbreak of violence in London and the rest of the country over the last few days, there have rightly been postponements within the football programme.

These include the two Carling Cup games that we have previewed - West Ham vs. Aldershot and Crystal Palace vs. Crawley Town. Because of this, the articles will be re-scheduled for when the games will now take place, which will be confirmed at a later date. Articles on SFTS will continue from tomorrow.

Many thanks for your understanding.

Has Dillon got long left at Aldershot?

By Tony Alvarez

In current times where there seems to be a managerial casualty almost every week, is it time Aldershot manager Kevin Dillon was relieved of his duties as Aldershot Town manager?

Following the sides 2-1 home to defeat to bottom of the table Hereford, the Shots currently lie in 19^th place in the league table just 6 points above the dreaded relegation zone.

Aldershot have been a massive disappointment this season and had big expectations after being led to a play off sport last season after Kevin Dillon took over from former manager Gary Waddock.

Following only 2 wins in 9 games fans are starting to call for Dillon’s head, there are rumours of discontent amongst the players and a feeling that Kevin Dillon cannot attract the type of players that former manager Waddock could.

The writing seems to be on the wall for Mr Dillon following chants of Dillon out, Dillon out Dillon out in the loss to relegation threatened Hereford.

Ironically Barnet manager Mark Stimson was sacked after defeat to Aldershot on new years day and Dillon was quoted as saying the sacking was “an absolute disgrace”. It seems that Dillon has said this hoping his own board will take notice and stay away from the trends in current football.

During the promotion year and the clubs time under Gary Waddock, Aldershot were known as an attacking side who played neat football and were often hailed as the Arsenal of the conference.

Under Dillon the club have seemed to go backwards, the football is dull but while the club were getting results the fans put up with it, now the results have stopped the fans are well and truly making themselves heard.

Another criticism of Dillon is that he does not seem to know his best team and cannot get the best out of his current crop of players, with changes consistently being made to the starting 11 and other players seem to be alienated altogether it would suggest some bad feeling between some of the squad and the manager.

What do you think? Do you agree with the fans who want Dillon out? Should he be given more time? Where has it all gone wrong since last season? Leave your thoughts and let us know.

For another Aldershot related article check out my interview with home grown striker Danny Hylton it can be found by clicking on this link: http://shoutsfromthestands.wordpress.com/2010/11/21/player-profiles-aldershot-town%e2%80%99s-danny-hylton/

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