Second-half comeback earns Shots victory at the Shay
TOLAJ LEADS FIGHTBACK AFTER ALDERSHOT GOES ONE GOAL DOWN AGAINST HOSTS HALIFAX
ALDERSHOT Town picked up three National League points at the Shay after a comeback victory over FC Halifax Town on Saturday.
Halifax saw the first chance of the game fall their way after just a minute of action when the ball fell straight to the feet of Adan George from close range, but his effort was off target.
The early proceedings were fairly even, with possession being shared by both sides as the Shots grew into the game.
Tyler Frost won a corner after linking well with Ryan Glover down the right wing.
Glover took a smart and quick corner into Josh Stokes, who turned his man well and dinked it in for Lorent Tolaj to head wide.
The hosts were the first to launch an effort on target in what was the most threatening chance for either side in the 19th minute.
Jamie Cooke received the ball and fired a shot that was well blocked by Rollin Menayese.
Swiss striker Lorent Tolaj had scored three goals in three games leading up this fixture, and saw a couple of chances fall his way just after the 20th minute.
Ollie Harfield forced his way into the box, laying it back to Tolaj, whose first-time effort was just wide.
Just a couple of minutes later, Tolaj had a similar chance, created down the right by Ryan Glover. This time, he was denied by Halifax keeper Sam Johnson.
But it would be the hosts who took the lead in the 26th minute through a fantastic effort by Max Wright. Picking up the ball outside the box, he launched an effort that found the top corner of the goal.
Aldershot had a chance to level the game immediately as Jack Barham produced a sublime first-touch to skip away from his marker and race towards goal, but Johnson saved really well with an outstretched arm.
The game then fizzled out in turns of goalmouth action, however, despite Adan George finding a couple of half-chances for the hosts, before Halifax went into the break in front.
The Shots were able to level the game just four minutes after the restart through who else but Lorent Tolaj, who scored his fourth goal in four games in almost a carbon copy to the two chances he came close with in the first half – Ryan Glover delivered a low cross from the right and Tolaj was found free not far from goal to turn it in.
The second half took a while to get going after Tolaj’s early goal. The
Shots were enjoying the larger share of possession but were happy to take a patient approach in search of turning the game around.
Their patience was eventually rewarded in the 70th minute when Kwame Thomas scored his second goal off the bench this week after his last-minute equaliser at Wealdstone, just minutes after coming on.
Josh Stokes delivered a deep cross from the right and Thomas superbly volleyed home.
Aldershot could have had a third not long after but Jack Barham found himself denied by a great save from Sam Johnson once more, the Shaymen’s stopper denying him one-onone for a second time.
Jordi van Stappershoef pulled off a fantastic stop of his own to deny new Halifax signing Jack Jenkins in the 86th minute.
A powerful effort from the midfielder was turned behind by the Dutch keeper.
Kwame Thomas was almost gifted a second goal of the afternoon just a minute later when he shrugged off his man on the halfway line and found himself in down the left wing.
Sam Johnson raced out of his goal only to be beaten to the ball by Thomas – but the angle was against the striker and Johnson was able to recover and ensure the ball was turned behind for a corner.
Five minutes were added on, giving Halifax time for one last threatening chance via a Luke Summerfield free-kick, but his effort was narrowly wide and Aldershot were able to hold on and ensure they came from behind to take all three points on the long journey home.