Enterprise National League
1 - 1
Sat 22 Aug
Aggborough Stadium
Aldershot Town
Images courtesy of Adrian Hoskins
HARRIERS were forced to settle for a point as nine-man Aldershot Town struck late to earn a 1-1 draw at Aggborough. Lewis Walker’s first-half effort had Harriers ahead, while Jack Wint produced an excellent penalty save after the break, but Tristan Abrahams levelled from close range in the closing stages to send 330 visiting fans wild. In between, Harriers had established themselves in the tie and controlled it against eleven men and then ten, but were left disappointed when, with nine, victory was snatched from their grasp. Wint was called upon after seven minutes, stretching impressively to tip Marcus Wyllie’s looping far-post header behind. Four minutes later, ex-Harrier Dinanga broke forward from a Harriers corner and fired across goal and wide. Harriers began to grow into the contest and increasingly enjoyed control as the first half developed. On 21 minutes, a lovely deep delivery from Callum Dolan picked out Walker at the far post. The angle was difficult, but the striker found enough room to connect and force Nick Hayes into a save. Aldershot threatened from a dangerous free kick four minutes later, though Hakeem Sandah lifted his attempt over the bar when placed to do much better. Harriers made the breakthrough after 28 minutes with a fine move. Owen Evans delivered wonderfully and Walker stooped inside the area to steer the ball beyond Hayes. The visitors were reduced to ten men five minutes before the interval following a heated incident. Jacob Borgnis caught David Davis with an arm before a mass confrontation followed, with the Aldershot defender eventually shown a red card and Davis booked. Dolan curled over during first-half added time before spotting Hayes away from his line and attempting an audacious effort from the centre circle, which dropped narrowly wide.
Four minutes after the restart, Hayes adjusted tremendously in mid-air to deny Davis from close range as Harriers looked to add to their advantage. Aldershot were awarded a penalty on 53 minutes after a push was penalised inside the area, but Wint reacted superbly. The goalkeeper got down sharply to deny Wyllie before quickly regaining his feet to smother the loose ball. Momentum was with Harriers at that stage, and Walker again went close before, 65 minutes played, Seb Thompson carried the ball forward on the break and tried his luck from an angle, sending his effort across goal and wide. Aldershot were reduced to nine men with 15 minutes remaining when Sandah fouled Thompson and received his second yellow card. Despite their numerical disadvantage, the visitors were resurgent and found an equaliser after 87 minutes. A free kick was delivered into the Harriers area and Abrahams converted from close range. Thompson had one final opportunity in added time, but his free kick dropped just over the bar as Harriers were left frustrated with a point.