Torquay United 5, Aldershot Town 1

SHOTS boss Danny Searle is eager to put the disappointment of another failed cup run behind him as they embark on the traditionally tough festive league programme.

Aldershot were in the end comfortably beaten by the Gulls on the English Riviera, but the scoreline shouldn’t cause too many alarms given that the home side scored three times in the last 20 minutes or so as the Shots chased the game.

“We were in the game for longer periods on Saturday than we ever were against Dagenham,” said Searle, “and when you are 2-1 down in a cup game you are going to go for it, and obviously that left us vulnerable at the back.

“But to be fair to Torquay they were ruthless, although we were quite charitable as well with the mistakes that we made.

“Although the scoreline is equally as damning, the performance wasn’t necessarily as bad as it was at Dagenham.”

In truth, lady luck hasn’t been on Aldershot’s side this season in terms of opposition in either of the two major cup competitions – having been drawn away at then National League leaders Bromley in the FA Cup before making the long trip to Devon in the FA Trophy last Saturday.

“It’s disappointing because obviously we set out at the start of the season wanting to have as many cup runs as we possibly could because winning is a habit and if you get in that routine it helps in every competition, but it wasn’t to be,” said the optimistic boss.

“We drew two of the toughest opponents that we possibly could in the respective competitions and unfortunately for us it didn’t work out. Now they are out of the way, and I’d like to be able to say we have got a choice on whether to focus on the league or not but we haven’t, so it’s all hands to the pump with regards to making sure we pick up more points and taking ourselves further up the league table.”

That focus turns sharply now to a time of the year that most football fans love but that players simply have to deal with as part of their job – the Christmas fixtures.

The Shots face five games in 14 days, starting with a home game against Stockport County at the EBB Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) followed by a first game of the season against Eastleigh away on Boxing Day, a home game against Barnet on December 28, the return fixture against Eastleigh on New Year’s Day, and a trip to north Wales to face improving Wrexham on January 4.

“It’s kind of a catch 22,” said Searle.

“We have to balance making sure the players are well rested because we have a squad of players that we believe are capable of helping each other out in the sense of dealing with the fixture congestion. However, you want your most in-form players playing in every one of those games, so from a training perspective, with the fact that it’s Christmas and people want to spend time with their families, I’ve always said that I want the players to be happy with their family life as well because it lends itself to more productive players on the pitch, so we need to make sure we give them the right amount of time without compromising our preparations.

“It’s a juggling and balancing act, which isn’t easy, but it’s no different to any other club. We have to do what is right for our players.”

The double-header against Eastleigh is particularly intriguing, as Aldershot will come up against former fan favourite Scott Rendell.

“The lads speak very highly of him,” said the boss, “but hopefully we can keep him quiet and get the results that will take us on our way.”