Tuesday night was a masterclass in grassroots etiquette on and off the pitch as Aldershot Town paid full respect to the Hampshire FA County Cup.
On the pitch the Vanarama National League Shots – who are in the Quarter Finals of the FA Trophy – fielded a strong side against a committed Tadley Calleva, and off it made a knowing nod to the clubs grass roots with a full donation of gate money to the home side.
That gesture could be worth up to £2,300 to Tadley from a crowd of over 330 (this is based on a quick calculation that everyone in the ground paid the £7 adult entry so would be the maximum – the likely figure will be slightly lower as their were plenty of concessions in the ground).
In a short statement the Romans thanks their opponents on social media: “Tadley-Calleva would like to thank
Aldershot Town for their decision to allow us to retain the full gate fee from Tuesday nights Hampshire Senior Cup quarter final.
“This selfless gesture goes a long way, and one in which will help us to continue the fantastic work we do on and off the pitch.”
Tadley Calleva 1-6 Aldershot Town
Tadley Calleva are out of the Hampshire FA County Cup at the Quarter Final stage after a heavy 6-1 defeat to Vanarama National League Aldershot Town.
But this wasn’t a rout in the traditional sense, Tadley were not down on their luck or even shambolic.
Tadley were Tadley, and by that I mean disciplined, organised and as fit as I’ve seen them all season in a game. It’s just that Aldershot in this instance had chosen to field a near full-strength side from the one that reached the FA Trophy Quarter Finals on Saturday and a majority will likely start at AFC Fylde at the weekend.
That’s not to say the hosts didn’t have a little bit of fortune in the opening moments when Sheldon Wright was brought down in the Shots box – a penalty that was tucked away by Jordan Goater.
Tadley were certainly lively in the opening 15 minutes but were undone shortly after scoring through an own goal, turned in off former Hungerford Town forward Ryan Jones’ cross.
As well as Jones, there was another former Bristol Rovers youngster on display in Cam Hargreaves and he was on hand for Aldershot’s second on the half hour mark.
Speaking of youngsters, goalkeeper Donnacha Burke pulled off a number of impressive saves for Tadley in the first-half including a brave effort at point-blank range to deny Maxwell Mullins – though the defender would pop up with Aldershot’s third shortly after.
There was a feeling at half-time that if Aldershot took their foot off the gas a little, Tadley had the ability and fire power to cause a few nerves. Alas the Shots didn’t let up – a cameo appearance from former Reading FC youngster Josh Barrett, fresh from a hat trick against Oldham Athletic, added some gloss to the performance – and further goals from Christian Maghoma (2) and Ryan Jones sealed passage to the Semi-Finals.
Saturday 8th February will be a little different at Tadley’s Barlows Park ground. The club will play host to the Wessex League Division One fixture between Whitchurch United New Milton Town. A number of Tadley’s dual-reg and ex players will be on show.
