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This draw came after a good 2-1 victory for the Bees at Underhill earlier in the season. Goals from Ben Strevens and Giuliano Grazioli ensured a Bees victory in front of 2208.

Both teams featured in last years Conference Playoffs. Aldershot managed to get to the final after beating Hereford in the semis. They eventually lost 3-0 to Shrewsbury on penalties, so this year they are looking to go a step further and win promotion to the football league.

I am pretty confident that Saturdays crowd will be a large one. Their average attendance this season stands at 2806 but with a large Barnet following making the trip, you can be sure that the attendance will rise above the 3000 mark. One thing that I learnt about the ground last season is that, if you want to experience the best atmosphere in the Conference you must make your way to the East Bank. This is a large covered terrace behind the goal and is split down the middle by a large fence. Home fans stand one side and away fans stand the other and I can tell you that it makes for a tremendous atmosphere. It can get a little bit intimidating especially with the riot police standing between the two sets of fans. Be aware of flying bottles and coins from the Aldershot side of the fence. If you are going to get the train up then try to ensure you arrive in Aldershot as late as possible before Kick Off due to the reputation of their so called 'supporters'*. It's best to avoid them really.

*Disclaimer - The above comment relates to a minority of thugs that call themselves supporters.  This does not relate to Aldershot fans in general as 99% attend games for only one reason - to support the club that they love.

Now to the football side of things and the Bees go into the game having still not lost away. Fantastic away wins at Carlisle, Exeter and Halifax being the highlights of this seasons run. Couple those with some valuable points at Hereford and Scarborough and you must feel confident that the Bees will get something out of the game.

It has been 2 months since we lost in the league and we are going into this match on the back of an 8 game unbeaten run and a fine 3-0 home victory at home to Accrington. Goals are still coming thick and fast in the league and Simon Kings new boots did the trick on Saturday when he struck from 20 yards to score the first goal of the game. Midfielder Richard Graham scored the second and Liam Hatch got the third with a "Superb" finish (his own words).

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Ground
The Recreation Ground
Capacity
7,600
Manager
Terry Brown
Chairman
Karl Prentice
2003/2004 Position
5th

 

Thanks to ShotsWeb for use of picture
 

Their home form has seen 5 wins, 2 draws and a loss. The loss coming against 2nd placed Carlisle, who ran out 5-0 winners. They have scored 15 and conceded 9, so there are frailties at the back. With Barnet's away form consisting of 5 wins and 3 draws, most would bet on a draw being the final outcome of this game. However, Aldershot's defence has conceded a total of 24 goals this season so far and I think that Barnet's attacking play could prove too much for the jittery Shots defence.

Once again Aldershot's attack is quite formidable with goals coming from Challinor(6), Sills(5), McLean(4). However, with a goal difference of only +2, it is evident that there are weaknesses in the team and I am sure there is no team better to exploit these weaknesses than Paul Fairclough's men.

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Cloudy with sunny intervals, so not too bad.

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Max 8, Min 2 degrees C