County snared by trap in ‘ugly’ win for gritty Shots

ANWAR Uddin admitted Aldershot Town “set traps” for Notts County in Saturday’s 1-0 win at the EBB Stadium.

Harrison Panayiotou scored the only goal in the 64th minute but it was debutant goalkeeper Brad James who took home the man-ofthe-match award thanks to an outstanding display in the home goal.

It was the Shots’ second win of the season and came after they were knocked out of the FA Cup by local rivals Woking and then lost 4-1 in the National League to Torquay United.

And Uddin praised the Shots for being “hard to beat” and “winning ugly”.

“We were delighted with the win and the clean sheet,” the Shots assistant manager said.

“The boys were outstanding. We worked hard and we are just delighted to get the win after the last couple of results. It was imperative we got a big three points.

“Ultimately, we wanted to be hard to beat because in recent weeks we have let ourselves down with mistakes that you can’t really legislate for. We said for this game that the minimum we needed was a clean sheet because I always feel that with our attacking players on the pitch, we are always capable of scoring. We got the goal we needed and to be fair, I felt quite comfortable.

“We set traps. We knew they like to play and have players who like to play and always want to get on the ball, and we gave them the opportunity to do that but then pressed hard and strong.

“Over the 90 minutes I knew we’d get a chance if we continued with that game plan and thankfully we won the ball high up the pitch so

Harrison could get a shot. And it’s a great finish because he was under pressure and not that close.

“Over the past few weeks we haven’t got the results we wanted but we are performing well for large periods of the game, but for me it’s about making sure we perform for 95 minutes.

“Against Notts County I don’t think we performed on the ball, in possession, as well as we have done. However, we were hard to beat, kept a clean sheet and won ugly, if you like. This game was about three points and however we won, pretty or ugly, we got our three points.

“They are a good side and we did a lot of work on them and their strengths and weaknesses.

“For us, it was a big game and we need the three points. We thought we knew how to get that result and luckily for us it worked. Notts County like to play and if you give them the ball and allow them to do that, that’s when they are good. So it about setting those traps; giving them space to receive the ball and then making sure we press and we did that for the goal. It was similar to last year, almost the exact goal. We know what they are like and it might not work every time but it’s worked twice.”

Kyle Wootton had the best opportunity of the first 15 minutes when, shortly after receiving treatment for a finger injury, a corner fell for the number nine on the edge of the box but the shot was deflected out for a corner.

Minutes later, Mo Bettamer thumped a free-kick against the Notts County wall.

As the match wore on, rather than become more settled it became scrappy with few clear cut chances at either end.

After a first half with little to write home about, the second half began at much the same pace.

But on 57 minutes Kodi LyonsFoster went close for Aldershot with a header from a corner and Notts County raced down the other end only for James to be equal to his shot.

Wootton should have done better two minutes later but skewed a shot wide after a great cross from Richard Brindley on the right flank.

But it was the hosts who took the lead in the 64th minute when Aldershot’s high press caught out the County defence and, capitalising on the error, Panayiotou finished coolly from the edge of the box.

After an uninspiring first 55 minutes, the game had a bit more urgency and Wootton went close with a header for the visitors but James pulled off a fantastic save to push it clear.

And with little more than five minutes remaining, the Shots debutant pulled off another great save to deny Elisha Sam.