Opponent Insight: Aldershot Town

It is the final home game of the season for York City this weekend, the penultimate match of their centenary campaign.

It has not gone exactly how the Minstermen would have preferred, after earning promotion back to the National League last term, but the ultimate target of avoiding relegation can be confirmed when City host Aldershot Town on Saturday and with a trip to promotion challengers Notts County to spare.

York come into this game following two defeats on the bounce, most recently at Torquay last week. However, three points in this upcoming fixture would secure them a spot in the division for next season, while opponents Aldershot will also be looking to make sure of their safety from the drop, with only a point needed.

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To get some more insight into City’s next opponents, I spoke to Shots fan and Youtuber Cobie Ware (@HiccupEU/Twitter):


Ahead of Saturday's massive six-pointer, Aldershot Town sit five points clear of the drop with two games left to play. Can you sum up the season so far?

“The season hasn’t been a great one as an Aldershot fan as we are a big club that should be pushing for at least the playoffs and we have been dragged into another relegation battle.

“We are now under our third manager after Mark [Molesley] and Ross [McNeilly] were both sacked and it’s the first time that’s happened in over 15 years!

“Under Mark, we played very well at the start but didn’t get the results and sadly that caught up to us and led to his dismissal. He was sacked shortly after the 2-0 FA Cup loss against Chelmsford and it was the correct decision in my opinion. Under Ross, we played attacking, open football and we had a brilliant start under him winning four games in a row as caretaker manager but he was sacked recently due to the fact we were only a few points from the drop.

“We managed to make it to the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy but lost to Halifax and now under Tommy [Widdrington], we will be hoping to secure survival and build for next season.”

What has your recent form been like and just how big was that win on Tuesday?

“Our recent form has been great ever since Tommy was appointed, having gained eight points from four games, before that we had one win in eleven. Before we started picking up points it was starting to become squeaky bum time but we somehow always manage to find a way to stay up.

“The win on Tuesday was monumental as Torquay got thumped by Chesterfield as well as us winning, meaning we are now five points clear of the drop zone. This puts all the pressure on Torquay, Maidenhead, and York to win games and most importantly takes it off of us.”

Are you confident that the Shots will manage to secure survival?

“I am 99% confident we will stay up, as a point against York will most likely confirm it, but it’s Aldershot so you never know what’s going to happen. If we manage to get relegated being five points clear with two games to go then we deserve to go down and be playing in the National League South!”

These two sides last met in October, when Aldershot narrowly defeated York 2-1. What type of game do you think we can expect this time?

“Last time out, it was a brilliant victory against a good John Askey side, and I expect us to go and get another three points.

“I anticipate a very scrappy game with both sides not creating many chances, but I do expect Aldershot to go out and get a result considering we have a good record away from home. As well as this, York don’t pick up many points from home, having one of the worst records in the league.”

What kind of football does the manager, Tommy Widdrington, like to play?

“Tommy likes to line the side up in a back three with really aggressive fullbacks, two CMs, a CAM, and two up top, which has brought us success, and long may it continue. As I previously mentioned, the performances haven’t been great but he has managed to get the players going straight away so hopefully after he’s had a longer period of time with the team, we can see the better performances and be a lot more comfortable next season.”

What are the Shots' strengths and weaknesses, and who are the ones to watch?

“Aldershot’s main strength is our record away from home, at home we are the second worst side, behind bottom of the league Maidstone. If it wasn’t for the away record being so good then we would be in serious trouble.

“Our biggest weakness has to be coming from behind to win a game as we have only managed to do that once this season, so if York do manage to take the lead then it’s hard to see us coming back.

“The player to watch has to be the big nut - Tyler Cordner, who has been our player of the season! A consistent performer week in, week out, and almost our top goal scorer with seven goals from centre back. Another player to watch out for is Tavhon Campbell who has scored 3 in 3 soon to make it 4 in 4. He didn’t have a great start since coming on loan but in recent games, he’s scored some key goals which have led to us picking up vital points!”

Score prediction?

“I don’t need to predict anything as I’ve already been to the future and seen the game!

“Aldershot go 1-0 up in the 6th minute via a freekick, York equalise via a header on the stroke of half-time and then Tavhon Campbell taps home an 89th-minute winner to send the away end into chaos!”