Text at top (next game etc)

Next Game: Marine At Edgar Street On Saturday 9th November At 3.00pm

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Shots "Are A Home Team"


Friday's opponents Aldershot are still seeking their first win on the road after winning three of four home matches this season.

Manager Andy Scott had already warned his side that he believes they are becoming accustomed to home comforts before their win over Macclesfield at the Recreation Ground at the weekend.

He told the press, in the aftermath of their loss at Southport: “My worry is now that we’re becoming a home team. We weren’t good enough first half. We didn’t have the energy, we gave the ball away.

"You’ve got to come to these places and roll your sleeves up, do the hard work. It shouldn’t matter whether you’re home or away. You should fight for your lives, every game.

"It’s easy to do it at home, but it’s still 11 versus 11, it’s a pitch that’s got grass on it, with the same size goals. You just get on with it.”

After the win over Macclesfield the Shots come to Edgar Street on zero points, having clawed back the ten point deduction for their summer financial problems. Scott acknowledged that the negative points tally was a psychological barrier that needed to be beaten:

"I've never felt so sweet to be on zero points! It's the first obstacle to get back psychologically. It was a messy game, we were patient in areas but we didn't have the tempo in the first half. We didn't play at our best today, but we got a decent result and a clean sheet.

"There is still loads to work on and everyone can see that. The consistency level with players is up and down. But we've got to help each other through - on their day they are really good players.

"If we can now pick up points away from home as well as here, we're going to be charging up the league."

Former Shots striker Michael Rankine is expected to play against the side he spent the past two seasons with. Despite netting twice in six games for the Bulls, he scored only three times in 46 league games for the Shots. One of that trio of goals was at Edgar Street two years ago to the day of Friday's game.

With the Bulls heading for relegation, the Shots gained a 2-0 win at Edgar Street on September 13th, 2011, with Rankine scoring the 19th minute opener in front of 1,599 fans.

He is likely to be the only player to have played in that fixture to feature on Friday. While the Bulls did field a Green and Evans in that game, Will Evans has been replaced by Rhys and Ryan is now Paul.