UNBEATEN TOM HAILS HIS SHOTS AFTER DRAW
TOMMY WIDDRINGTON extended his unbeaten start to his Aldershot Town managerial tenure to six games, but the season extended with a typically underwhelming home performance.
Six unbeaten for the first time since Christmas 2021, the former Southampton midfielder was hailed by the home fans for preserving their National League top-flight status, but his side should have capitalised upon several periods of dominance to claim what would have been just a seventh home win of the season.
Widdrington said: “There’s a tinge of disappointment that we’ve conceded late on but I thought we were excellent first half.
“The remit I had when I came into the club was to ensure our survival in the National League, and the lads have responded fantastically. Everyone has given everything they’ve got.”
The Robins, though, could also point to two shots which hit the post in the second half as they ensured that they finished one place above their opponents in 17th.
Alty boss Phil Parkinson said: “That sums up where we’ve been for the last month – with the chances we created, we should have won the game. But the lads were really professional. It’s been a constant rebuild for us, and we’re disappointed with our final league position, but everything we’ve achieved this season has been a success.” The kick-off was delayed by 45 minutes after Altrincham’s team coach broke down in Oxford, forcing them to complete their journey in a fleet of taxis.
The first half was full of impetus and endeavour but yielded no efforts on target.
Jack Barham’s twisting header and the ever-dangerous Tahvon Campbell’s fizzing angled drive on the turn, both of which dropped inches wide, were the closest the hosts went.
The best opportunity of the half, though, fell to James Jones, who blazed a volley over.
Aaron Bennett finished wildly just after the break. Josh Lundstram played in Regan Linney, only for his shot across Luca Ashby-Hammond to rebound off the post.
Lundstram then saw his effort hit the post, with Ashby-Hammond scrambling, but chances were elusive – and it took a huge defection to break the deadlock.
Shots player of the season Tyler Cordner rumbled forward and his 25-yard shot was diverted past Matthew Gould. It appeared a fitting way to end the season for the talismanic England C captain.
Yet Altrincham finished strongly. On 86 minutes, the enterprising Edward Jones was rewarded. A well-worked move down the right ended with an inviting pull-back which Jones fired through Ashby-Hammond.