ALDERSHOT TN 0, WOKING 1

ALDERSHOT’S failure to get headers on target cost them dearly as Woking won the first leg of the holiday local derby at the EBB Stadium on Boxing Day.

The Shots had at least four unchallenged headers, yet failed to seriously test Jake Cole in the Woking goal.

Instead, one expertly-worked goal was enough to give the Cards their sixth win in seven National League games, keeping them within reach of the play-off places.

With a crowd of over 3000 and a lively atmosphere at the old Rec, it was just like the good old days. But in the good old days, Aldershot were at least two levels above their near-neighbours from over the border.

Not any more. Woking had the better players and the better structure. In John Goddard, their top scorer, and Bruno Andrade, they had a potent pair that gave them pace and width, assets that used to be the hallmark of past Aldershot sides when players such as Ian McDonald – watching from the commentary box – were directing operations from midfield.

Aldershot’s defeat even had manager Barry Smith bemoaning the quality of his squad. “We have got to get players that are better than are already here, but when you’re on a stringent budget, it’s difficult,” he said. “Obviously, we would like to bring in other players, just to show there is competition in all places, but that is easier said than done.”

His side, in fairness, put in a shift against strong opponents and possession was equally shared. The gusting wind made it difficult to judge long passes, but both sides created early chances.

In a Woking set-piece straight off the training ground, Joe Quigley volleyed narrowly wide from an Andrade corner.

A minute later, Aldershot looked certain to score from an inviting Tom Richards cross, but first Richard Brodie and then full-back Sean McGinty, up in attack, just couldn’t get the ball from under their feet.

The Shots had an even better opening on 25 minutes. Cheye Alexander supplied a cross that asked to be put away, but Danny Carr headed straight into Cole’s grateful arms.

Five minutes before half-time, Woking broke with pace and purpose to score the vital goal. Goddard made the initial surge and contined his run to take Dan Holman’s astute pass in his stride before drilling a low shot into the far corner for his 12th goal of the season.

Aldershot were lucky not to concede a second before the break. From Goddard’s corner, Brian Saah towered above the rest, only to head over the crossbar.

On the restart, livewire Goddard immediately made space for an angled shot, well blocked by Phil Smith.

At the other end, when Aldershot won a free-kick in a promising position, Sam Hatton drilled his shot low into the wall and there were more hoots of derision when McGinty’s good cross picked out Brodie whose header spiralled high into the air.

Woking then kept the home side in the game by missing a sitter, Matt Robinson blazing high over the top from eight yards after Aldershot failed to clear Jake Caprice’s cross.

The home fans had been calling for Charlie Walker to come off the bench and when he did appear, the nippy forward soon had a chance to rescue his side. He met Dan Walker’s free-kick with a deft back-header that looped over the top.

Soon after, Woking set out to defend what they had got, replacing striker Quigley with another defender, the powerful Chris Arthur.

The home supporters then became muted as the visitors set out to retain possession and run down the clock.

Yet, deep into injury time, Aldershot’s last throw of the dice almost frustrated the Cards.

Dan Walker played in another excellent cross and Omar Beckles, the Shots’ best defender, who had been pressed into attack, headed over with the goal at his mercy.

Aldershot: Smith; Alexander, Beckles, Oastler, McGinty; Hatton (D Walker 74), Stevenson, Gallagher, Richards; Carr (C Walker 64), Brodie. Booked: McGinty.

Woking: Cole; Caprice, Jones, Saah, Norman; Andrade (Murtagh 64), Ricketts, Robinson, Goddard (Sole 84); Holman, Quigley (Arthur 78). Booked: Quigley, Sole.

Referee: Constantine Hatzidakis.

Attendance: 3,150 (710 away).