Aldershot Town were forced into an FA Cup replay after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Tadley Calleva in the fourth round qualifying. The Shots twice took the lead at the EBB Stadium on Saturday but were pegged back each time, with the visitors scoring a late equaliser to earn a rematch. This follows their last result, a 2-2 draw with Tadley Calleva on Saturday 17 October.
Marcus Dinanga gave Aldershot Town the perfect start, finding the net after just eight minutes. Alfie Burton struck for Tadley Calleva deep into first-half stoppage time to send the teams in level at the break. Michael Stickland restored the home side's advantage on the hour mark, only for substitute Charlie Barlow to level the scores again for the visitors.
The match stretched into 11 minutes of added time, where Aldershot Town saw an effort hit the crossbar and had a goal ruled out for offside. The result means the tie will be decided in a replay at Barlows Park on Tuesday night. The winner will advance to the FA Cup first round proper, where a potential tie against the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester City, or Reading awaits.
First Team Coach Michael Buck had insisted his side were not travelling to make up the numbers. "The Romans weren’t going to the Recreation Ground to 'make up the numbers'," Buck said ahead of the tie, referencing the club's nickname. The travelling Tadley Calleva support, numbering 883, were rewarded with a famous result.
This cup drama comes as Aldershot Town sit 12th in the National League with 18 points from 13 games, a record of five wins, three draws and five losses. They have scored 18 goals and conceded 16 this season, leaving them 17 points behind league leaders Boreham Wood. Their recent league form has been mixed, with one win, one draw and three losses in their last five outings, a sequence that includes a 5-3 win over Norwich City U21 and losses to Altrincham, Carlisle and AFC Hornchurch. They now face a quick turnaround before hosting Wealdstone, who are 19th, in the league next Saturday 24 October.
Assistant manager Mark Jones apologised to supporters after Aldershot Town's 2-2 FA Cup draw with Tadley Calleva. Jones said, "The ultimate feeling is extreme disappointment." He admitted the team was not clinical and accepted the fans' frustration. The club, currently 12th in the National League, must now travel for Tuesday's replay.
Aldershot Town manager Scott Davies made four substitutions during the 2-2 FA Cup draw with Tadley Calleva. Davies brought on Brody Peart and Ollie Harfield after 68 minutes, with Jack Matton replacing Michee Efete four minutes later. The club, 12th in the National League with 18 points from 13 games, must now travel for Tuesday's replay.
Aldershot Town will travel to Tadley Calleva for their FA Cup replay on Tuesday, October 20. The club, currently 12th in the National League with 18 points from 13 games, must now face the ninth-tier side at Barlow's Park. Tadley Calleva wrote on social media after the 2-2 draw, "WE HAVE A CUP TIE." The winner will advance to the first round proper.
Aldershot Town face Tadley Calleva in their FA Cup fourth round qualifying replay on Tuesday evening. The match at Barlows Park kicks off at 19:45. The Shots, who are 12th in the National League with a record of five wins, three draws and five losses, must win to advance to the first round proper. Their last result was the 2-2 draw that forced this replay.
