Aldershot Town ran out as 3-1 victors over Billericay Town in a good pre-season run-out for both sides.
KICK-OFF
The Blues made a bright start to the game against their third Enterprise National League outfit within the space of a week and Femi Akinwande had a great chance to draw first blood just two minutes in as he broke through on goal but James Clarridge intervened with a vital sliding challenge.
From then on, the Isuzu FA Trophy holders began to assert their dominance on the game and had a chance to go ahead on 17 minutes from the spot. Ryan Scott’s clumsy challenge on Jed Meerholz forced the referee to point to the spot and Tyler Frost’s strike was pushed away by Sam Donkin.
Ryan Hill was next to go close for the visitors three minutes later, Donkin coming to Blues’ aid once again to prevent his strike from close range.
The pressure told however on 26 minutes as Cameron Hargreaves’ strike was parried away by Donkin but only into the path of Hady Chadour who bundled home from point-blank range. Only five minutes later and their lead was doubled in a similar vein to the first – Josh Barrett’s effort from the edge of the box was saved and put on a plate for Chadour to double his and the Shots’ advantage.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Blues though as Frankie Merrifield halved the deficit with a fine finish just before the break, volleying into the top corner on the half-turn inside the box.
HALF-TIME: BLUES 0-2 ALDERSHOT TOWN
It was an even second-half as several changes were made for both teams. Akinwande had the perfect chance to put the Blues level with 66 minutes on the clock as Troy Howard nearly made an instant impact from his cross on the right but the striker fired wide from point-blank range.
Aldershot restored their two-goal cushion with four minutes remaining as Kwame Thomas headed home from a cross on the right.
FULL-TIME: BLUES 1-3 ALDERSHOT TOWN
The Blues are back at New Lodge for our final home pre-season match with the visit of Faversham Town on Tuesday night.