Mark Gelder

After the Rageonline Christmas break, there is plenty of news to catch up on for those who haven't delved into the archive. Please see links to the right for match reports on:- AFC Wimbledon and Crawley; fan's views on these matches and Torquay; a Raging Fever match; and player news too.

United finished the holiday season with five points from three matches, a 2-0 win at AFC Wimbledon thanks to goals from James Constable and Asa Hall, a Nil Nil draw at Torquay which was a fair result in windy conditions, and a 1-1 draw against Crawley at home, thanks to a first goal from Jon-Paul Pitmann.

Saturday sees United off to The EBB Stadium (The Recreation Ground) to play Aldershot for the second time this season, the first being a midweek 2-1 victory in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, including a goal from Deane Smalley. The Rec used to be a poor hunting ground for the Yellows, but the last two victories seem to have put that one to bed. This will be United's seventh visit in just six seasons despite being in different divisions for two of them, having played them twice in the Conference, twice in the league, twice in the JPT and once in the Setanta Shield.

Very much an 'old-school' ground, Aldershot make improvements each year, now with flip seats in the away stand, re-concreted terracing, and a portakabin loo as well as portaloos. For 2012 their supporters' Trust have funded a new scoreboard. The atmosphere under the barrel-roofed East Bank is always noisy, although one of the stalwarts of the Red Blue Army, “Chappie”, sadly passed away over Christmas at just 33 years old.

Team news
A full six days into the transfer window, and Chris Wilder has not brought anyone new in as yet, presumably waiting until later in the month to see whether any successful offers have come in for players, and also whether players available for release have found new clubs to free up wages. Wilder would like Robert Hall to return, but may prefer a player he can rely on to keep for the loan period. So far Matt Green has joined Mansfield Town, Simon Clist gone to Hereford, Aaron Woodley to Oxford City, and Ryan James released. Loanees Jonathan Franks and Lewis Guy have returned to their clubs, and JPP is looking to make a fresh start at United. Tony Capaldi, Adam Chapman, and Matt Fletcher all played in the midweek reserve game at Bristol City, although it seems Chapman may go out on loan to get some game time, and Capaldi is now injured again.

With Michael Duberry back fit again, Andy Whing was pushed forward into midfield for the Crawley game, and a front three of Alfie Potter, James Constable, and Tommy Craddock will be fought all the way for their places by Deane Smalley and JPP.

Aldershot news
Dean Holdsworth was appointed manager after United's last league victory at the Rec in Jan 2011. The Carling Cup was arguably a distraction for the Shots this year, victories at West Ham, at home to Carlisle and Rochdale were rewarded with a home tie against Manchester United. With a crowd of 7,044 packing the Rec, the Shots went down 3-0 to a strong United side including Vidic, Valencia, Park, Berbatov and Owen. The Shots are currently 16th in the table, and of their last four games, lost to Port Vale and Gillingham, drew with Plymouth, and were one down at home to Southend when the game was called off due to floodlight failure.

On the injury list for the Shots are Aaron Morris, Danny Hylton, Aaron Brown, and ex York City player Michael Rankine. Holdsworth has brought in two defenders on loan: Troy Brown is a 21 year-old from Rotherham, and Sonny Bradley a 19 year-old from Hull. Top scorer for the Shots with nine goals is Danny Hylton, a product of their youth system. Jermaine McGlashan has four.

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