Magpies miss cutting edge (30.10.04)

A POLISHED and spirited performance from the Magpies at the Recreation Ground on Saturday was not enough to see them into the FA Cup first round proper.
Although both teams were hampered by injury-hit squads, this did not affect the entertainment value of an enjoyable match in which the Magpies more than played their part.
Putting some ropey league displays behind them, the visitors matched their illustrious hosts from box to box, but, without Lawrence Yaku, they did not possess the cutting edge to finish off what they had created
The key passages of play came at the start of either half when Aldershot were sharper and more aware, and when they buried their opportunities to score and Magpies’ hopes of a famous cup win.
In contrast the Magpies took their time to find their feet in each half, although when they did they created some bright periods of play and always looked the more likely to score as the clock ticked down.
There were eye-catching efforts from many, especially from the midfield where Jamie Cook, who wrapped up a fine match with a terrific goal, Kelvin McIntosh and Rob Saunders all worked their socks off.
Central defenders Brian Connor and Andy Dugdale coped well with quality players like man of the match Nick Crittendon and Tim Sills, although the left side of the Magpies’ defence wobbled under the pressure. Striker Craig O’Connor was at his hard-working best, and when he and Cook ran at their man, they had the Shots defence back-pedalling.
However, it was the visitors who were initially on the back foot as the Shots poured forward bayed on by a crowd of more than 2,200.
After Adam Miller had blasted over from close range, the home side took the lead on 12 minutes, when the excellent Crittendon swept the ball home after Miller had worked his way down the right channel.
Jon Challinor and then Sills both went close after this, but slowly the Magpies found their feet, if not their shooting boots.
Richard Harris supplied a cross for Cook on the penalty spot, but his volley was sliced wide. This effort was followed by an under-hit O’Connor shot and a Cook header over the bar.
On the half hour Cook skinned his marker to set up Harris, but his side-foot shot was blocked, as was O’Connor’s effort just after, following a jinky run.
Saunders then tried an outrageous left-footed volley from all of 35 yards which produced a sprawling save from Nikki Bull in the Shots goal.
An attractive half ended with Aldershot coming closest to scoring when Miller blasted over the bar after the ball had pin-balled around the Magpies box.
Half-time was probably welcomed by both teams, but it was the hosts who came out the more mentally alert and they doubled their advantage after just three minutes, when Sills rose unimpeded to head home a Miller corner.
Once again Aldershot streamed forward and they could have put the match out of sight but a Crittendon shot was denied by the woodwork, and then Phil Warner drilled his chance inches wide.
The Magpies had never stopped working hard, and their efforts were rewarded on 70 minutes when the ball was played up to Harris who held it up for Cook to unleash an unstoppable half-volley from distance, which sailed into the back of the net.
The final 20 minutes saw half-chances come and go as the visitors threw players forward in search of an equaliser leaving themselves exposed at the back.
The Magpies’ best bet to take the match to a replay fell to Andy Dugdale, who rose well to meet a Barrie Matthews corner, but nodded the ball narrowly over the bar.
The final whistle brought relief for Aldershot and a sense of ‘what might have been’ for the Magpies.
They were defeated but not disgraced.