Shot of energy needed for Town

SQUAD GET A COUPLE OF DAYS OFF TO PREPARE FOR PUSH

TOMMY WIDDRINGTON wants his squad “re-energised” as Aldershot Town look to claim a place in the National League play-offs for the first time since the 2017/18 campaign.

The Shots recent good form has seen them slowly climb the table and going into Tuesday night’s game they were sitting fifth.

And while Widdrington has played down the Shots’ run-in, which ends on Saturday, April 20 at Dagenham & Redbridge, he admits he has one eye on what could be a busy-but-fruitful period for the north Hampshire club.

“We’ve got 15 games left, which is a third of the season still,” Widdrington said. “I wouldn’t call it a run-in, it’s a long one, but we can re-energise.

“I’m going to give the lads a couple of days off, they can not have to listen to or see me for a few days which is good.

“I want them to go enjoy themselves for a couple of days but then get themselves moving again, and I want them to be re-energised for when they come back in.

“They’ll have a normal period of training sessions, same amount they would if we were playing on a Saturday, just knock it back a day so we’ll be training Thursday and Friday going into the AFC Fylde game.”

It comes after the Shots came from a goal down to beat FC Halifax Town on Saturday.

Halifax took the lead through Max Wright’s 38th-minute opener, but Aldershot fought back and goals from Lorent Tolaj and Kwame Thomas turned the game on its head.

Newcastle-born Widdrington was not bothered by the chilly conditions in West Yorkshire. And in fact, he felt going a goal down helped his team.

“I didn’t think it was cold, we’re up north now so this is normal,” the 52-year-old insisted.

“I’m delighted with the result but I’m also really please with the performance.

“I think although we went behind it might have been a blessing in disguise to be honest. I think our Achilles heel of late has been getting ahead and possibly relaxing a bit and we’ve let teams back into games.

“But one thing I know about my group, they take going behind in their stride, and I didn’t think we deserved to be behind. I think Jordi [van Stappershoef] was a little unlucky because it took a little nick on the way past him.

“At half-time I was really measured in my approach and I said I thought we had the tools to get ourselves in the game. We’ve got the tools on the bench for them to come on and win it if they need to.

“I’m standing here a very proud manager because when the plan comes together it’s really good, but I’m delighted for everybody because they’re a tight nit group.

“I’ve had to put out one or two on loan, people have to realise sometimes it’s the players choice, not just my choice, and that’s been the case with that.

“I don’t think it’ll be two better substitutes not used than the two I used today [Kwame Thomas and James Daly] and that shows you how strong we are.”

Aldershot were due to play AFC Fylde on Tuesday night after the News & Mail went to press.

They are at home to Altrincham on Saturday (5.30pm).