NEARLY four thousand fans are probably still trying to catch their breath after a pulsating Setanta Shield final saw Aldershot squeeze past Rushden & Diamonds, 4-3 on penalties, after a 3-3 draw.

 

It is fitting in Gary Waddock’s outstanding first season in charge that the club have won a national knockout trophy. It may not be the FA Trophy but, judging by the exuberant celebrations from players and crowd alike, as the Rec reverberated in a heady evening atmosphere, the Setanta Shield certainly was a competition worth taking seriously, as Waddock has insisted all along it was. Now all he and the Shots must do is make sure that they do not have to defend their prize, by virtue of securing promotion to the Football League in the next three weeks.

 

"I'm delighted for the group of players - they deserve a huge amount of credit - and I'm delighted for the supporters," said Waddock afterwards. "This competition has been good to us. Normally cup finals don't live up the expectation, but this one did."

 

The game itself will be best remembered for an extraordinary extra-time, in which there were four goals and a penalty saved. With the score at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the Shots led 3-1 at one stage but allowed Rushden back into the game in somewhat comical fashion.

 

But that is the Aldershot way, taking the gun-ho route to glory. The opposition is always allowed a chance to play but in the end Aldershot had the stronger belief and will to win. Just like in the penalty shoot-out victory over Woking in the semi-final, Aldershot’s confident squad rose to the challenge to seal the triumph.

 

"We have seven cup finals to come in the league. But all we can do tonight is enjoy the moment. The players couldn't jog around for a lap of honour as they were so tired. It was just a walk. The reception that the fans gave the players at the end was just fantastic. They [the fans] will have an important role to play between now and the end of the season. The turnout tonight - a Thursday night, with the match live on television - was fantastic too.

 

"I think tonight has been vital towards the final few weeks of the season. Losing, after putting ourselves in such a good position, may have dented the confidence a bit. But we won and now the players will grow in confidence even more. It's nice to get some silverware too - it's always hard to get that first silverware, especially for a young group.

 

"We've installed a winning mentality, which comes from confidence and belief. Now we must remain in that frame of mind and pick up as many points as possible between now and the end of the season."

 

Waddock has used the Setanta Shield both to keep his side’s winning momentum going through the season and to provide competitive match action for squad players and key players returning from injury and suspension. Fittingly, therefore, reserve keeper Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz was the hero, saving Rushden’s fifth penalty, from captain Chris Hope, having earlier produced an even better save to deny Andy Burgess from the spot in extra-time. Granted, Jaimez-Ruiz made the odd error and was partially at fault for Michael Rankine’s 120^th minute equaliser but perhaps he is just fitting into the Aldershot way: triumph after making a little bit adversity for themselves.

 

Scott Donnelly deserved this win more than any Aldershot player after a string of superb performances in the competition and his headed goal looked to have sealed the win at 3-1, only for even him to succumb to the madness by immediately conceding a penalty.

 

But perhaps the unsung star of the show was Dean Smith. He started in his favoured role at right back and was no less hesitant or lacklustre than he has been on the few occasions he has started this season. But, with Dave Winfield forced off with a knee injury before the half hour, Smith, rather than substitute Rob Gier, was moved in to central defence. Smith’s frail frame looked unlikely to be able cope with the bulk of Rankine but Smith turned in an excellent performance, showing an unexpected capacity to time and hold a giant leap, to win countless towering headers. With all three substitutes used, Smith even battled on with an injury in extra-time. "Dean Smith came in and was excellent," said Waddock. "He shouldn't have even been on the pitch at the end. He had a bad knock."

 

Kirk Hudson, however, was the man of the match on the night for Aldershot. He set up Junior Mendes’ opener on 71 minutes, put the Shots 2-1 up on 95 minutes with a low shot from the edge of the area and helped Donnelly nod in the third in the 107^th minute. Hudson’s penalty in the shoot-out was hugely impressive too, smashed into the roof of the net.

 

It is testament to Waddock’s squad that a player of Hudson’s pace and class has been rested from league action of late. Probably only four or five of Thursday night’s side will start tomorrow’s vital Blue Square Premier match at home to Salisbury, but Waddock was able to pick a strong side.

 

John Grant, short of match practice, started alongside Mendes up front and Hudson and Joel Grant provided the width. With Scott Davies starting a six-match ban, Waddock was always likely to pick one of Ben Harding and Lewis Chalmers with Donnelly in midfield and went with Chalmers, even if Harding, who came on just before the hour, ended up playing more minutes. Ricky Newman captained the side from central defence, with Rhys Day and Anthony Charles rested.

 

"We were in a cup final and we wanted to win it, it was a simple as that," said Waddock. "I wanted to give John Grant some match practice and I wanted Chalms and Ben [Harding] to have periods in the game too."

 

The first half was a pretty drab affair and gave no indication of the thrills and spills to come. Rushden started well and, at full strength, looked the physically stronger side too. Ex-Shot Jon Challinor was finding plenty of space in the hole behind Rankine and should have done better with an excellent headed chance. Rankine, for all his physical presence, looked a lumbering option up front and shot woefully into the East Bank when clean through on goal.

 

But while the Shots weren’t at their best, they came closest to scoring. Lewis Chalmers forced a superb save from Dale Roberts, Donnelly shot inches over, Gier headed wide and Hudson was unlucky with an overhead kick.

 

It had been, however – as finals so often are – a pretty cagey affair. The goals took a while coming in the second half but, from the off, the game was more open. Donnelly forced a fine save from Roberts and Mendes shot inches wide after a lovely run and pass from Joel Grant. But it was Rushden who missed the best chance; with Smith lying injured, they broke Aldershot’s offside trap but Rankine was far too ponderous, having his first shot blocked and then hitting the outside of the post with the rebound.

 

On came Harding and the Shots immediately had a touch more poise in the midfield. But Rushden manager Garry Hill played a trump card too, by introducing Lee Tomlin on the right wing. He had been outstanding in the Diamonds’ 2-1 league defeat at the Rec in November and it was a surprise that he did not start. Immediately he caused problems for Anthony Straker.

 

But it was the Shots who took the lead. Donnelly’s quick feet and surge created space and fed Hudson on the left, who crossed for Mendes to stab home his fourth goal for the club. The Shots fans were still celebrating when Rankine’s long throw – at least he was effective in that respect - into the box caused havoc and Burgess turned the ball home. Rushden should then have gone on to win the final in normal time, only for Rankine to head wide in injury time, from just a few yards out. It was an extraordinary miss and would eventually prove decisive.

 

Waddock refreshed his troops with the introduction of Danny Hylton, in place of John Grant, for extra-time. Rankine missed another good chance before Hudson restored Aldershot’s lead, shooting into the near corner after a sideways run across the edge of the area.

 

Rushden should have drawn level just five minutes later, when Gier was adjudged to have fouled Andy Gooding in the box. Aldershot were furious – Challinor had looked yards offside seconds before – but it mattered little, as Jaimez-Ruiz dived to his left to hold onto Burgess’s penalty.

 

Two minutes into the second period of extra-time, it looked all over. Hylton’s shot was parried by Roberts, who then made an even better save from Hudson, but the ball ballooned up to Donnelly, who headed home.

 

But Hill is not a man to accept defeat and nor did his side. Substitute Abdou El-Kholti was too quick for Donnelly and Burgess showed admirable cool to step forward again, just nine minutes after missing his first penalty. He scored with aplomb. Challinor then shot wide when he should have passed and, for all Waddock’s tactical changes – Mendes dropped behind Hylton and Harding sat in front of the back four – Rushden were looking the stronger side.

 

And when Jaimez-Ruiz spilled El-Kholti’s cross, Rankine hurdled the keeper and, flat on the ground, touched the grounded ball home with his nose. It was a bizarre goal, fitting for an insane period of extra-time, which ended with a fine save from Jaimez-Ruiz from Tomlin’s shot.

 

And so to penalties. Perhaps here Aldershot’s home advantage finally showed. Gooding dragged the first kick wide and, with Donnelly, Harding, Newman and Hudson all scoring, the pressure mounted on Rushden. Hope’s shot was weak; Jaimez-Ruiz saved; the Rec rocked as Newman and Day lifted the Shield. And new hope springs eternal that the Blue Square Premier title – and promotion – will follow shortly.