3/4/2008

Sport

Shots ready for final home comfort

ALDERSHOT host Rushden & Diamonds in the final of the Setanta Shield at the Recreation Ground tonight (Thursday, kick-off 7.45pm).

With no neutral venue made available, Aldershot won the toss of the coin to host the final, which was a welcome boost after three away games in five days in the Blue Square Premier last week.

"From our point of view it’s very pleasing to be at home," said Gary Waddock at the weekend. "We’re had a few journeys recently."

While the Setanta Shield has always been a low priority, even compared to the FA Trophy, let alone the Blue Square Premier, Waddock has treated the competition with respect and fielded fairly strong teams throughout.

In wins over Oxford United, St Albans City, Crawley Town and Woking, players such as Kirk Hudson and Scott Donnelly have emerged as key 1st team players and the likes of Rhys Day, Joel Grant and Scott Davies have used matches to regain form and fitness.

Waddock is expected to stay faithful to the players who have got Aldershot this far, meaning the core of the side that has put Aldershot well clear at the top of the league — Nikki Bull, Lewis Chalmers and Ben Harding, and possibly striker John Grant — will be rested ahead of Saturday’s league clash with Salisbury.

Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz will start in goal, fresh from key saves against Woking in the semi-final, including one in the shoot-out. "Mikhael has done very well in this competition. He deserves his chance," said Waddock.

Bull is also pleased for his understudy. "Mikhael has trained hard all season and has done well. He has a good understanding of English and has fitted in well," said Bull this week. "It's not easy not playing games, I found it very hard when I was in that situation at Queens Park Rangers. Mikhael's had to be patient but I'm really pleased for him, especially when he did so well in the penalty shoot-out against Woking in the semi-final."

Waddock also strongly hinted this week that Ryan Williams will be involved in the first team for the first time this season, after seriously injuring his knee in pre-season. After coming through the Reserves' 0-0 draw with Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday, Williams is likely to be on the bench tonight and may come on. Ryan Scott, another just back from a long-term injury, is pushing for a start. With Scott Davies suspended, Waddock must choose who to play in central midfield, alongside Donnelly. Scott is an option, as in Ricky Newman - or perhaps one of Chalmers or Harding will start, or play a half each.

Up front, Waddock must pair two from John Grant, Rob Elvins, Danny Hylton and Junior Mendes. The latter two may well start; while John Grant requires match practice, Waddock will be careful to make sure that his injury-prone leading scorer is fit for the league run-in.

Rushden have little to play for other than this final and have already pushed the Shots mighty close at the Rec this season, losing 2-1 in November, when Lee Tomlin was outstanding going forward. Ex-Shot Jon Challinor is sure to get a 'warm' welcome back at the Rec, while manager Garry Hill has already expressed his disappointment that the match is being played at the Rec. Rushden will be at full strength and determined to spoil a party at the Rec.

Rushden's pre-match preparations have been disrupted, however, by the shock departure of manager Garry Hill's assistant, Kevin Hales. The ex-Chelsea player resigned this week after he refused the club's offer of a new contract.

Entry tonight is £10 for adults and £5 for children. Rushden fans, with the appropriate voucher, are being allowed in for free, as part of a goodwill gesture from the Aldershot.

First printed in: Aldershot News and Mail