ALDERSHOT TN 1, GUISELEY AFC 0

A MODICUM of seasonal cheer spread around Aldershot Town as Tom Richards emerged as the unlikely hero against the visitors from West Yorkshire last Saturday.

In scoring his first ever senior goal, the substitute earned a first win in ten games for Barry Smith’s side, who eventually shaded a tight and initially turgid match where one moment of quality was always likely to prove decisive.

With frustrating irony, the Shots will know that they have played better in recent weeks and lost, but victory was all that mattered against a Guiseley team who had edged above Aldershot in the National League table during their eight-week winless run.

“Both the players and fans were rewarded today,” said manager Smith. “The fans for their support of the players, and the team for their work-rate. We showed a lot of fighting spirit. It doesn’t matter how you win a game, and it wasn’t pretty, but we played a lot better and the three points was the most important thing. We said at half-time we’d have to grind out a result.”

The first 45 minutes failed to produce a shot on target and few openings of any description. Guiseley’s Gavin Rothery briefly threatened to unlock the congested midfield and backheeled a cross inches too high, while Charlie Walker scuffed the ball wide after a neat exchange with Cheye Alexander.

Danny Carr was a lively antithesis to the general torpor, but shot over the crossbar after being put through by Sam Hatton’s flick.

Steve Drench made the game’s first serious save on 51 minutes when he parried Hatton’s sliding, angled shot as Dan Walker’s ambitious drive ricocheted across the penalty area. Drench then pawed Walker’s second shot perilously close to the top corner before saving a counter-attacking shot from Carr.

At the other end, Phil Smith made a vital contribution to his side’s eventual success by getting his fingertips to James Hurst’s 25-yard drive, diverting the ball onto the crossbar.

The breakthrough followed on 79 minutes as Richards had his special moment. Carr sent Jake Gallagher on a rambunctious run down the right and his low cross, although behind Richard Brodie, was perfect for the former Fulham Academy graduate who rifled the bouncing ball into the net.

Guiseley fashioned two late half-chances for their own substitute, Tom Craddock, but he was a stud’s length away from connecting with a teasing cross and then directed a header wide.

Aldershot then held on with relative ease and almost added to their lead in injury time. A swinging 40-yard free-kick from Sean McGinty glanced off the crossbar and Carr’s follow-up was saved.

The Shots had shown spirit and perseverance to seal a precious win. Such a blueprint could see them through a tough Christmas programme of games against Woking and Eastleigh and, just as important, it restored a degree of faith amongst those who had started to have doubts.

Aldershot: P Smith; Alexander, Oliver, Oastler, McGinty; Hatton, Stevenson (Gallagher 26), Lathrope, D Walker (Richards 62); C Walker (Brodie 76), Carr. Subs (not used): Thomas, Barker. Booked: Carr.

Guiseley: Drench; Toulson (N Boshell 82), Lawlor, Lockwood, Lowe; Hurst, Hatfield, Rothery, D Boshell, A Smith; Boyes (Craddock 76). Subs (not used): Hall, Atkinson, S Dickinson. Booked: Hurst.

Referee: Mark Pottage.

Attendance: 1,325 (42 away).