13/3/2008

Sport

Hudson seals the deal as Shots march on

A workmanlike perform-ance enabled Aldershot Town to pick up an important three points against Histon on Tuesday night, the perfect response to the Shots’ disappointing display at Ebbsfleet United last Saturday.

The victory was given added value by the defeat of Torquay United at Halifax Town, which leaves Aldershot 13 points clear of second-placed Cambridge United, with both teams having 11 league fixtures remaining.

The opening exchanges were a scrappy affair, although Histon did threaten on six minutes when the lively Jack Midson fired over.

However, it was Aldershot that opened the scoring on 12 minutes. Scott Davies was the beneficiary when the ball broke loose midway in the Histon half, and the young midfielder was quick to register that he was within shooting range, despatching a 22-yard scorcher to put the Shots ahead.

Davies clearly enjoys playing the Cambridgeshire side, as this was his third goal in two games against the visitors this season.

Shots’ followers had their hearts in their mouths from the restart — a time when Aldershot have been vulnerable on occasions this season — as the ball found its way to Danny Wright in the penalty area. Only two timely interventions by Anthony Charles and smart keeping by Nikki Bull prevented an equaliser.

The near lapse prompted assistant manager Martin Kuhl, angry at the loss of concen-tration, to bellow: “When we score, get back on the game.”

The game had plenty of  hustle and bustle in the middle of the pitch, but little opportunity for the home side to get the ball down, as Histon’s executed their game plan of denying the Shots time and space with good effect.

Goalmouth action was hardly at a premium, and both sides tried their luck from long range with Histon’s Adrian Cambridge shooting over the bar. Aldershot’s Anthony Straker finished off a trademark charge down the left-side of centre with a 35-yard swerving and dipping shot that visiting keeper Danny Naisbitt tipped wide.

The home side gradually began to dictate possession  with Charles and Davies coming close on the half hour, but a second goal was needed to ease the fans’ nerves.

Fortunately, it was not long in coming, and it was fitting that Kirk Hudson should be the man to score the goal, finishing with aplomb from 10 yards after an expertly executed assist from the lively Straker. 

Hudson has had quite a time of late, voted Blue Square Premier player of the month for February and on Monday signing a new two-year contract.

Manager Gary Waddock said: “I am delighted that Kirk has committed himself to the club for the next two seasons. He has the ability to push his career on and is learning well.”

Histon managed their first shot on target after 40 minutes when Antonio Murray showed good pace to give himself an opportunity. As well as he struck the ball, he was no match for Bull, who pulled off a smart reaction save to put the ball out for a corner.

That was the last meaningful action of the opening 45 minutes, and the Shots went in with a comfortable 2-0 advantage at the interval.

Histon began the second half at a frantic pace and they launched the ball forward quickly and soon won a corner.

A good delivery from Cambridge was met by the head of John Kennedy but his point-blank effort was smartly turned round the post by Bull.

From the resulting corner, Aldershot rushed the ball forward. A swift interchange between Hudson and Rob Elvins set up Danny Hylton but he fired wide.

That quick-fire attack prompted a spell when the ball went from end to end, with Elvins and Hudson going close for Aldershot and Kennedy firing just wide for Histon.

The visitors found themselves back in the game on 63 minutes, courtesy of some classic route one football. Keeper Naisbitt launched a long kick down field and striker Murray matched Straker for pace and took advantage when the defender opted against a hoof into touch. From that, Murray was able to slot the ball past Bull, who had no chance, from the edge of the box to make the score 2-1.

With the visitors grabbing that lifeline, an air of nervousness wafted through the home fans. However, they did not have to endure the tension for too long, as the Shots scored a third within a minute to calm their fears.

Substitute Louie Soares did well to keep the ball in play on the right and his cross into the box went straight to Hudson’s feet. The in-form winger-cum-striker, who played in both positions during the game, made no mistake with another cool finish from ten yards.

Hudson has now scored 25 goals in his 81 appearances for the Shots (39 of them as a substitute).

From then on, Histon had most of the possession, as a corner tally of 12-3 in their favour suggests, but Aldershot were playing well within themselves and the visitors never really looked like adding another goal to their tally.

Lewis Chalmers made a welcome return after he was worryingly carried off at Torquay, and for an hour he was the man who was making things happen, along with Davies who is back to his good early-season form.

Waddock said after the game: “Tonight was all about getting the job done and collecting three points. In between the two FA Trophy semi-finals it was important for the team that we collected the points. It might not have been the best of performances but we’ve had to overcome a good side with an excellent record away from home."

First printed in: Aldershot News and Mail