ALDERSHOT TN 1, WELLING UTD 0

ALDERSHOT rediscovered the art of grinding out vital victories as Richard Brodie’s deflected shot earned them three points against a dogged Welling United on Tuesday.

A flat and largely uneventful first half gave way to a display of renewed tempo and urgency after the break, and even though Brodie’s strike owed a little to good fortune, it nonetheless brought a deserved win.

“I thought we were comfortable in the second half,” said manager Barry Smith. “We know we can play better, but we’ve played better and lost, so we’re delighted to get the three points when we’re not playing at the top level.

“Whatever manner it takes to win games, we’ll do that. We must be difficult to beat and I’m delighted for the back four today – I thought they won us the game because they were so strong.”

The opening 45 minutes yielded precious few chances and it was the Wings who started with greater cohesion and drive. In the opening minute, Dan Thomas – continuing in place of the injured Phil Smith – make a pointblank save from Afolabi Obafemi’s header.

Aldershot’s best moments came in a frantic two-minute spell. Sam Hatton’s whipped free-kick was tipped behind by Mike McEntegart and the pressure which followed saw Charlie Walker’s shot blocked and a Jim Stevenson drive deflected over.

Stevenson then made a vital block from George Porter and, at the other end, Brodie and Hatton combined down the right and Stevenson’s own header was deflected over the bar.

But that was the sum total of a forgettable half.

Aldershot showed more serious intent from the re-start and it brought its reward just four minutes in. Thomas launched a kick downfield and, with a deft touch to control the ball and a 25-yard shot which took a wicked deflection as it looped over McEntegart, Brodie won the game with his fifth goal in six starts.

It could and perhaps should have been more but, most importantly, the Shots kept the Bexley outfit at something approaching arm’s length with relative ease.

Charlie Walker flashed a shot across goal from Stevenson’s flicked pass and, on 70 minutes, as Aldershot counter-attacked from an woefully mis-placed Welling free-kick, Walker skipped around several defenders, only to see his shot charged down and Rhys Browne had his follow-up saved.

Welling were reduced to ten on 82 minutes when Barney Williams picked up a second yellow card for a foul on lively substitute Dan Walker.

But the depleted visitors came close to equalising deep into injury time. Ricky Wellard’s free-kick picked out an unmarked Michael Chambers who completely mis-timed his leap with the goal at his mercy. It was a moment which encapsulated Welling’s frustrating night.

A third win in four games for Aldershot who are up to 12th in the table and building some momentum ahead of two long-distance away fixtures at Barrow and Tranmere.

Barry Smith’s first ten games have flown by and the Shots have built themselves a solid platform from which to make genuine progress.

Aldershot: Thomas; Alexander, Beckles, Saville, Anderton; Hatton, Gallagher, Stevenson, Browne (D Walker 79); C Walker, Brodie (Barnes-Homer 78). Subs (not used): Lathrope, C Harris, Dawber. Booked: Stevenson, Alexander, Beckles.

Welling: McEntegart, Jefford, Chambers, Porter, Lee (Nortey 88), Obafemi (Adeyinka 54), Lokko, Corne, R Harris, Williams, Vidal (Wellard 68). Subs (not used): Taylor, King. Booked: Williams, Vidal, Wellard. Sent off: Williams.

Referee: Alan Young.

Attendance: 1,256 (34 away).