Post by QPR Report on Aug 24, 2009 10:27:16 GMT
www.gethampshire.co.uk/sport/aldershottownfc/s/2056144_great_scott_stars_in_win_for_mcginty
Great Scott stars in win for McGinty
By Charlie Oliver
Aldershot Town 3 Accrington Stanley 1
FOR once, this was a league match when victory was not about winning three points.
This match was for Aldershot's late chairman, John McGinty, who had died on the morning of the game.
Victory was for him and Aldershot duly obliged, in a manner with which McGinty had become familiar in the two years of Gary Waddock's managerial reign.
It was McGinty who had appointed Waddock and together they brought Football League action back to the town.
And this was very like many of the numerous Waddock victories: at the Rec, lit up by some sparkling attacking football but tempered by the odd defensive lapse and periods of uncertainty.
But the verve beat the nerves as Aldershot held on to a 2-1 lead and then sealed victory for McGinty, through Scott Donnelly's delightful late goal.
Donnelly goals had brought great joy to McGinty, securing promotion back to the League at Exeter and then the 1-0 win that announced The Shots back where they belong, a year ago at Accrington.
So it was appropriate that Donnelly scored twice on this day, his first goals since that victory in Lancashire on the opening day of last season. Accrington Stanley? Who are they? Well, as far as Donnelly is concerned, they are the team he scores against.
Afterwards, Waddock was full of praise for Donnelly and for his side's determined defending in the face of considerable second half pressure.But this was a day when Waddock really only wanted to talk about his late chairman.
"It's a very sad day," said Waddock. "That win was for you, John. We wanted to send John away with a victory and I am delighted that we were able to do that. I didn't really care about the performance, I just wanted to win for John.
"He was a lovely, lovely man. He was a big influence on me. He always wanted to do everything right for this football club. I will never forget him."
McGinty had passed away at 8am on Saturday morning and a minute's silence was held before the game, after words from Mike Pusey, the club chaplain.
Perhaps affected by the emotion of the occasion, Aldershot began sluggishly and John Miles nearly lobbed Stanley ahead after 60 seconds but his effort was glanced wide by Adam Hinshelwood, who was playing at centre half, with Chris Blackburn moved to right back, in an unchanged XI.
But Aldershot were soon into their stride against dogged if limited opponents. Within ten minutes, The Shots were ahead, through Donnelly, after a bizarre build-up.
Louie Soares' looping cross appeared to drift out of play - well, Stanley thought so, anyway - but bounced on the top of the bar and back into the area. Hinshelwood showed a deft touch to set up Donnelly, who swept home from the edge of the area, with the help of a tiny deflection.
On 22 minutes, it was 2-0, as Kirk Hudson raced through onto a loose ball. Alan Martin made a good save but Marvin Morgan slid in to score his third goal of the season.
Soares, with a searing shot, and John Halls might have extended the lead before the break. At the other end, Accrington rarely threatened and Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz dealt comfortably with the little he had to do, most of which came from the boot of the lively Bobby Grant.
But Accrington were back in the game two minutes into the second half. Just as at Bournemouth the Tuesday before, Aldershot were undone at a set-piece, just seconds into the second half.
Miles' corner was met by the combative Paul Mullin, whose head Accrington focused their attacks on most of the afternoon, and Phil Edwards tapped in after Jaimez-Ruiz had done well to keep out Mullin's effort.
"Yes, we've conceded again from a set play and it is something we need to look at," said Waddock. "But we responded and got the result."
While Donnelly - twice - Morgan and Soares all wasted good opportunities for Aldershot, Accrington were far more of a threat in the second half and Jaimez-Ruiz twice made good saves from substitute Billy Kee.
Aldershot had to stand tall against a barrage of long balls and Dave Winfield was especially impressive, with a no-nonsense display of defending. There is little finesse to Winfield's play and his passing from the back is erratic but he excels in a physical battle and his stout defending was crucial.
"Dave is as an old-fashioned centre half and they are worth their weight in gold," said Waddock. "He reminded me a bit of Terry Butcher, wearing a headband towards the end." Winfield had cut his head in another brave challenge but there was little possibility of him leaving the fray.
"I wanted to see the ugly side today," said Waddock "We all know what we can do with possession but I wanted to judge the players on what they do when we don't have the ball. And we were solid today. Dave Winfield did especially well."
But it was another 21-year-old - Donnelly - who deservedly clinched the win, curling in a low shot from the edge of the area, after a clever backheel from substitute Lewis Chalmers.
Waddock implied that Donnelly did not expect to be playing on the day, after keeping the squad guessing over the starting line-up, in the wake of the defeats at Rochdale and Bournemouth.
"I mulled over making changes," said Waddock. "But we hadn't done too much wrong in those away games. We may have lost them but I didn't feel we had to change it and I was proved right.
"That said, I had told players in no uncertain terms that they have to perform. One or two of the players probably thought they would be left out as I didn't name the side until today. Scott was unsure whether he would play. I might have to do that again - mix it up in training and keep people on their toes.
"Scott responded to that. That was more like the Scott Donnelly I know he can be. As a youth team player at QPR he would score regularly from midfield. He got into some really good positions today and could have had a hat-trick."
Had this been an away game, against more dangerous opponents than Accrington, then Donnelly might have been sacrificed in favour of Chalmers. But now it is Ben Harding's place under pressure; the elegant midfielder was a little better in this game but continues to struggle for form.
With Scott Davies back at Reading, Waddock has been looking to his midfielders for more goals and Donnelly is confident that he can deliver. Nor, on this evidence, is his confidence mis-placed.
"I want to get into double figures for goals scored this season," he said afterwards. "I've set a target of six or seven by Christmas. If I play every game then I think I can do that."
Donnelly found space well at the edge of the area in this match and he expects to continue to do that at the Rec, thanks to Waddock's formation of three in central midfield.
"The formation works really well at home as opponents know we are strong here and tend to sit back rather than chase everything - and that means there is always space and a spare man in midfield," said Donnelly.
Waddock too was delighted to maintain a perfect home record, which has The Shots tenth in the table. "This ground has to be a fortress as we are not so clever on the road," he said. "But that will change."
A trip to Grimsby next Saturday will put that prediction to the test.
That, however, is another day. This one belonged to McGinty, a much-loved chairman, who did so much to help Aldershot football survive in the 1990s and then return to the Football League 18 months ago.
"One John McGinty, there's only one John McGinty," sang the East Bank hordes throughout the game.
Many people at Aldershot owed much to McGinty but at least those left behind did all that they could do on the day of his passing: provide him with a victory.
"This club will be a sadder place without John," added Waddock afterwards. "And that win was for him."
Aldershot Town: Jaimez-Ruiz, Blackburn, Sandell, Hinshelwood, Winfield, Halls, Donnelly (Hylton 90), Harding (Chalmers 80), Morgan (Grant 90), Hudson, Soares. Not used: Masters, Straker, Connolly.
Accrington Stanley: Martin, Joyce, Winnard (Murphy 70), Kempson, Edwards, Ryan, Miles, Proctor, Mullin (Symes 82), McConville (Kee 79), Grant. Not used: Dunbavin, Turner, C King, G King.
www.gethampshire.co.uk/sport/aldershottownfc/s/2056144_great_scott_stars_in_win_for_mcginty
Great Scott stars in win for McGinty
By Charlie Oliver
Aldershot Town 3 Accrington Stanley 1
FOR once, this was a league match when victory was not about winning three points.
This match was for Aldershot's late chairman, John McGinty, who had died on the morning of the game.
Victory was for him and Aldershot duly obliged, in a manner with which McGinty had become familiar in the two years of Gary Waddock's managerial reign.
It was McGinty who had appointed Waddock and together they brought Football League action back to the town.
And this was very like many of the numerous Waddock victories: at the Rec, lit up by some sparkling attacking football but tempered by the odd defensive lapse and periods of uncertainty.
But the verve beat the nerves as Aldershot held on to a 2-1 lead and then sealed victory for McGinty, through Scott Donnelly's delightful late goal.
Donnelly goals had brought great joy to McGinty, securing promotion back to the League at Exeter and then the 1-0 win that announced The Shots back where they belong, a year ago at Accrington.
So it was appropriate that Donnelly scored twice on this day, his first goals since that victory in Lancashire on the opening day of last season. Accrington Stanley? Who are they? Well, as far as Donnelly is concerned, they are the team he scores against.
Afterwards, Waddock was full of praise for Donnelly and for his side's determined defending in the face of considerable second half pressure.But this was a day when Waddock really only wanted to talk about his late chairman.
"It's a very sad day," said Waddock. "That win was for you, John. We wanted to send John away with a victory and I am delighted that we were able to do that. I didn't really care about the performance, I just wanted to win for John.
"He was a lovely, lovely man. He was a big influence on me. He always wanted to do everything right for this football club. I will never forget him."
McGinty had passed away at 8am on Saturday morning and a minute's silence was held before the game, after words from Mike Pusey, the club chaplain.
Perhaps affected by the emotion of the occasion, Aldershot began sluggishly and John Miles nearly lobbed Stanley ahead after 60 seconds but his effort was glanced wide by Adam Hinshelwood, who was playing at centre half, with Chris Blackburn moved to right back, in an unchanged XI.
But Aldershot were soon into their stride against dogged if limited opponents. Within ten minutes, The Shots were ahead, through Donnelly, after a bizarre build-up.
Louie Soares' looping cross appeared to drift out of play - well, Stanley thought so, anyway - but bounced on the top of the bar and back into the area. Hinshelwood showed a deft touch to set up Donnelly, who swept home from the edge of the area, with the help of a tiny deflection.
On 22 minutes, it was 2-0, as Kirk Hudson raced through onto a loose ball. Alan Martin made a good save but Marvin Morgan slid in to score his third goal of the season.
Soares, with a searing shot, and John Halls might have extended the lead before the break. At the other end, Accrington rarely threatened and Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz dealt comfortably with the little he had to do, most of which came from the boot of the lively Bobby Grant.
But Accrington were back in the game two minutes into the second half. Just as at Bournemouth the Tuesday before, Aldershot were undone at a set-piece, just seconds into the second half.
Miles' corner was met by the combative Paul Mullin, whose head Accrington focused their attacks on most of the afternoon, and Phil Edwards tapped in after Jaimez-Ruiz had done well to keep out Mullin's effort.
"Yes, we've conceded again from a set play and it is something we need to look at," said Waddock. "But we responded and got the result."
While Donnelly - twice - Morgan and Soares all wasted good opportunities for Aldershot, Accrington were far more of a threat in the second half and Jaimez-Ruiz twice made good saves from substitute Billy Kee.
Aldershot had to stand tall against a barrage of long balls and Dave Winfield was especially impressive, with a no-nonsense display of defending. There is little finesse to Winfield's play and his passing from the back is erratic but he excels in a physical battle and his stout defending was crucial.
"Dave is as an old-fashioned centre half and they are worth their weight in gold," said Waddock. "He reminded me a bit of Terry Butcher, wearing a headband towards the end." Winfield had cut his head in another brave challenge but there was little possibility of him leaving the fray.
"I wanted to see the ugly side today," said Waddock "We all know what we can do with possession but I wanted to judge the players on what they do when we don't have the ball. And we were solid today. Dave Winfield did especially well."
But it was another 21-year-old - Donnelly - who deservedly clinched the win, curling in a low shot from the edge of the area, after a clever backheel from substitute Lewis Chalmers.
Waddock implied that Donnelly did not expect to be playing on the day, after keeping the squad guessing over the starting line-up, in the wake of the defeats at Rochdale and Bournemouth.
"I mulled over making changes," said Waddock. "But we hadn't done too much wrong in those away games. We may have lost them but I didn't feel we had to change it and I was proved right.
"That said, I had told players in no uncertain terms that they have to perform. One or two of the players probably thought they would be left out as I didn't name the side until today. Scott was unsure whether he would play. I might have to do that again - mix it up in training and keep people on their toes.
"Scott responded to that. That was more like the Scott Donnelly I know he can be. As a youth team player at QPR he would score regularly from midfield. He got into some really good positions today and could have had a hat-trick."
Had this been an away game, against more dangerous opponents than Accrington, then Donnelly might have been sacrificed in favour of Chalmers. But now it is Ben Harding's place under pressure; the elegant midfielder was a little better in this game but continues to struggle for form.
With Scott Davies back at Reading, Waddock has been looking to his midfielders for more goals and Donnelly is confident that he can deliver. Nor, on this evidence, is his confidence mis-placed.
"I want to get into double figures for goals scored this season," he said afterwards. "I've set a target of six or seven by Christmas. If I play every game then I think I can do that."
Donnelly found space well at the edge of the area in this match and he expects to continue to do that at the Rec, thanks to Waddock's formation of three in central midfield.
"The formation works really well at home as opponents know we are strong here and tend to sit back rather than chase everything - and that means there is always space and a spare man in midfield," said Donnelly.
Waddock too was delighted to maintain a perfect home record, which has The Shots tenth in the table. "This ground has to be a fortress as we are not so clever on the road," he said. "But that will change."
A trip to Grimsby next Saturday will put that prediction to the test.
That, however, is another day. This one belonged to McGinty, a much-loved chairman, who did so much to help Aldershot football survive in the 1990s and then return to the Football League 18 months ago.
"One John McGinty, there's only one John McGinty," sang the East Bank hordes throughout the game.
Many people at Aldershot owed much to McGinty but at least those left behind did all that they could do on the day of his passing: provide him with a victory.
"This club will be a sadder place without John," added Waddock afterwards. "And that win was for him."
Aldershot Town: Jaimez-Ruiz, Blackburn, Sandell, Hinshelwood, Winfield, Halls, Donnelly (Hylton 90), Harding (Chalmers 80), Morgan (Grant 90), Hudson, Soares. Not used: Masters, Straker, Connolly.
Accrington Stanley: Martin, Joyce, Winnard (Murphy 70), Kempson, Edwards, Ryan, Miles, Proctor, Mullin (Symes 82), McConville (Kee 79), Grant. Not used: Dunbavin, Turner, C King, G King.
www.gethampshire.co.uk/sport/aldershottownfc/s/2056144_great_scott_stars_in_win_for_mcginty