‘Real spirit’ of Shots in draw pleases boss
ALDERSHOT Town manager Tommy Widdrington was pleased with the “real spirit” his side showed in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Solihull Moors.
A late penalty salvaged a point for The Shots against their National League play-off rivals, and while boss Widdrington was relieved not to lose, he felt his side had done enough to take all three points.
Cian Harries converted cooly from the spot in the 89th minute after former Fulham and Wolves defender Ryan Stearman was sent off for his last-ditch challenge on captain Lorent Tolaj.
Harries’ sixth league goal this season cancelled out Tahvon Campbell’s close-range finish that had given Moors the lead midway through the second half.
After seeing his side remain in fifth spot in the table, Widdrington said: “I’ve got to be happy with a point because we went 1-0 down and it looked like they were going to see it out, but our lads kept going and showed some real spirit so really pleased.
“It was a really dominating performance. We had a lot of the ball, we had a lot of chances, but they always carry a threat.
“Listen, it’s a little bit frustrating because I felt we did enough to win the game, but we’ve got to move on.”
The Shots manager was pleased with the way his side bounced back from the one-goal deficit and the 1-0 defeat away to relegation-threatened York City last time out.
He said: “If we lose a game, I love the way our lads react. If we go down a goal at home, it doesn’t worry me at all.
“I felt we were going to score a goal. I believe we’ve always got goals in us.”
Widdrington, who took over The Shots in April last year, made three changes to his side and was impressed by the performances of these players. He said: “I’m really pleased in general with the way we’ve approached the game. I thought all three lads who came in did really really well. There’s huge positives for me.”
Hady Ghandour made his first start for the club since signing from Maidstone United last year before going out on loan with Farnborough earlier this season.
On the forward’s performance, Widdrington said: “He did well, he did very well. I thought he was unlucky not to score, he probably thinks he should have scored with the header.
“He’s got energy, he’s as quick near enough as Jack (Barham) so he’s a like-for-like, so it’s a nobrainer to use him.
“He’s been out a long time injured but did very well on his loan so he’s there on merit and he’s fighting for the starting place which is brilliant.”
The result sees The Shots remain two points adrift of Moors in fourth place, but with six games to go Widdrington’s side will be looking to close the six-point gap on Bromley in third, who lost 2-0 at home to York City on Saturday.
They will also be looking over their shoulder with Gateshead and FC Halifax Town making up the remaining play-off spots and sitting just one and two points behind the Shots, respectively, both with a game in hand.
Widdrington will be hoping his side can extend the three-point lead they have on Altrincham in eighth as they travel to face two sides battling against relegation over the Bank Holiday weekend.
They travel to Maidenhead United on Friday before hosting Dorking Wanderers on Monday.
Ahead of these clashes, the Shots boss said: “I keep saying this; there’s no bigger game than the next one, we’ve got our eyes on Maidenhead for next Friday.”