Sutton Host The Shots
- Mark Bravery
- Nov 24, 2016
- 2 min read
Sutton welcome Aldershot Town to Gander Green Lane this Saturday for the first league fixture between the sides since the 2002/03 season.
The two clubs were regular Ryman League opponents in the late 90s and early 00s, Sutton memorably beating the Shots 5-0 in April 1999 to clinch the title and a return to the Conference, a return which lasted only one season. Four years after that game a 1-1 draw at the Lane saw Aldershot seal their own title and promotion, and a further four years on the Shots finished as Conference champions and were elevated to the Football League. But their stint as a League club lasted just five seasons, the club returning to this level in 2013.
Last season Sutton lost 1-0 at Aldershot’s Recreation Ground in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup. But many older fans will recall Sutton’s 3-0 win over Aldershot Town’s predecessor club in the first round of the Cup in November 1987, Sutton’s first ever victory against Football League opposition. The original Aldershot FC folded in 1992 and the current club was quickly formed in their place as a non-League outfit.
Both clubs go into Saturday’s match in disappointing form, Sutton being without a win in their last six league games while Aldershot have won only one of their last six. The Shots lie 11th in the table, two places and seven points above Sutton.
With another game against Dover Athletic coming up next Tuesday, Sutton manager Paul Doswell will continue to rotate his squad. Skipper Jamie Collins should return to the starting XI after serving a one-match suspension, and Kevin Amankwaah could return at right back after being rested for Tuesday night’s defeat at Boreham Wood. Midfield players Roarie Deacon and Bedsente Gomis and striker Dan Fitchett may also start after coming on as substitutes at Boreham Wood. Midfielder Ryan Burge could be recalled to the squad, especially if loanee Adam May returns to parent club Portsmouth.
Collins, Fitchett, defender Simon Downer and goalkeeper Ross Worner are all former Aldershot Town players.