The 2025 FA Trophy Final - Aldershot Town 3-0 Spennymoor Town (Match Day Thread)

[Aldershot]

Aldershot, the open top bus tour has its own thread and the change of timing has already been put on there.

Yes, but I also thought to put it here incase people don't see that thread. No harm in it being here too.

[Aldershot]

https://spennymoortownfc.co.uk/2025/05/ ... 3-moors-0/

Moors left Wembley with an overwhelming sense of pride despite falling to defeat to National League side Aldershot Town in the FA Trophy Final on Non-League Finals Day.

Goals from Jack Barnham, Dan Ellison and Josh Barrett were enough to see The Shots carve their name on the trophy at end of an unforgettable day in the capital.

Moors had started the game the stronger of the two sides on a baking hot day at Wembley. However, Graeme Lee’s side saw two first half chance go begging and ended up paying the price.

Glen Taylor, celebrating his 35th birthday, tried his luck first with an audacious overhead effort which was claimed by Marcus Dewhurst’s gloves, before Corey McKeown fired over from the edge of the area with a curling strike.

Rob Ramshaw did well to get away down the left-hand side on the 19th minute, as the midfielder managed to cut a ball back into the path of Taylor. The front man left the ball to Junior Mondal on the edge of the area, only for a Shots man to get in the way and clear.

Moors had started the game well and came mightily close to taking lead midway through the first half when they caught Aldershot on the break.

A smart counterattack saw Finley Shrimpton sprint clear down the right, before driving into the penalty area. The loanee’s ball across the face of goal found Ramshaw, but the Moors number 10 just couldn’t get enough power on his shot from 10 yards, and it was gratefully gathered by Dewhurst.

However, Brad James was called into action just a minute later at the other end, as he brilliantly denied Josh Barrett at full stretch. The Shots man found space on the edge before dispatching a curled effort goalward, which James did well to stop away to his left.

Both sides saw half chances come and go before half time, as McKeown dragged an effort wide of the upright, before Barrett had another strike saved by James in the Moors net.

That meant the game was level at half time, with both managers being able to take positives from their sides’ first half displays.

This didn’t last long sadly, as Aldershot broke the deadlock just three minutes after the restart. A quick counterattack from Tommy Widdrington’s men saw them break down the right, before the ball found Barham in the middle of the penalty area. The number 22 made no mistake, calmly sweeping home from close range.

The Shots, now a goal up, continued to bear down on the Moors goal, as Barrett saw two opportunities in quick succession. His first effort bobbled wide from the edge of the area, only for his second to be impressively blocked by loanee Olly Dyson.

Dan Ellison headed The Shots their second goal on the 70th minute, as his glanced header at the front post from a left-wing corner found the net to double their lead.

Graeme Lee’s men had some real work to do if they wanted to salvage their FA Trophy hopes. Shrimpton desperately tried to get Moors back into the game with 10 minutes left on the clock, as he wriggled around the edge of the area. His strike, however, was well blocked.

Despite Moors’ best efforts, Aldershot clinched their victory three minutes from time. Barrett’s emphatic volleyed finish flew into the back of the net after it sat up nicely for him on the edge of the area to send The Shots’ fans into raptures.

Substitute goalkeeper, Ryan Johnson, entered the field on the 92nd minute and was immediately called into action as he denied Maxwell Mullins from close range.

Another substitute, Aidan Rutledge, looked to find a consolation goal in the dying embers, but his well struck, curled effort was well saved by goalkeeper Jordi Van Stappershoef, who had been subbed on just a few minutes prior.

Full Time: Aldershot 3 Moors 0

Aldershot Town: Dewhurst (Van Stappershoef 89), Widdrington, Frost (Scott 90+2), Barrett, Jones, Barham (Thomas 73), Henry (Mullins 81), Woodhouse, Teteil (Corbett 57), Ellison, Armitage
Subs not used: Bray, Ghandour

Moors: James (Johnson 90+2), Dyson, Ledger, Beals (Rowe 83), Staunton, Dolan (Ross 82), Shrimpton, Mondal (Rutledge 68), Ramshaw, McKeown (Harris 74), Taylor
Subs not used: Simpson, Myers

Booked: Taylor (66)

Referee: Lewis Smith

Attendance: 38,600

Match Report: Noah Betts

[beechcroft]

Aldershot, the open top bus tour has its own thread and the change of timing has already been put on there.

He just can't help himself Birdie. his fingers must be realy sore

[Birdman]

The thoughts and feelings of our friends from over the border :- https://www.cardsboard.co.uk/forum/view ... 6c9742d2a7

[Lost Shot]

How great was it that all the goals were down in front of the shots fans?!

Superb day out - here's hoping a few floating fans fancy popping down for a few more games next season!

[Aldershot_Rob]

The thoughts and feelings of our friends from over the border :- https://www.cardsboard.co.uk/forum/view ... 6c9742d2a7

They are a lovely bunch on there, although all those lemons must give them excessive reflux.

[MikeB]

Seems it really was our day in the sun.

One day later and there’s lots of issues on the London Underground due to a power failure!

Yes I missed a hospital appointment because of that. So I'm a bit grumpy now.

[Aldershot]

[Aldershot]

BBC Radio Tees Commentary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuKWIG-6SyA

[ACA]

It was my first game in a very long time, going to football lost its sparkle for me a few years ago when my Dad was no longer able to go. But there was no way either of us were going to miss the chance to see the Shots play at Wembley and it was a great day out - the chance to go to football as a family for the first time in ages, seeing old friends etc. It was also great to see such a professional performance on the pitch, especially given our habit over the years of failing to turn up for the big occasion! I won't forget that day, and maybe I'll make more of an effort to get back to the Rec once or twice next season.

[ShotOnTarget]

It was my first game in a very long time, going to football lost its sparkle for me a few years ago when my Dad was no longer able to go. But there was no way either of us were going to miss the chance to see the Shots play at Wembley and it was a great day out - the chance to go to football as a family for the first time in ages, seeing old friends etc. It was also great to see such a professional performance on the pitch, especially given our habit over the years of failing to turn up for the big occasion! I won't forget that day, and maybe I'll make more of an effort to get back to the Rec once or twice next season.

It's a common theme ACA. I rarely also go these days for various good reasons, and I'm guessing that applies to many of the 16,000 odd extras who attended. I even had one friend who said he was gutted he couldn't go. His last game was against Lymington and New Milton decades ago.

People justifiably assume the core support is the same 2, 2.5k fans but Sunday shows that it's very likely a high degree of churn exists.

It's sad that the Club can't grow the fanbase. I have my theories but that's not a topic right now.

Let's hope this extraordinary event is a wake up call for all who care about the Club, especially those in a position to make things happen.

[Cph.shots]

The thoughts and feelings of our friends from over the border :- https://www.cardsboard.co.uk/forum/view ... 6c9742d2a7

Could you type the whole thing out for us that don't do links

[CH]

Their feelings towards the Trophy sure have changed in the last few weeks. Apparently it's a meaningless trophy now that none of the big clubs like Woking take seriously any more...

Certainly wasn't the vibe I was getting from them pre-April 5th.

Bless em.

[Nobby]

The thoughts and feelings of our friends from over the border :- https://www.cardsboard.co.uk/forum/view ... 6c9742d2a7

Could you type the whole thing out for us that don't do links

[lowerbourneshot]

It was my first game in a very long time, going to football lost its sparkle for me a few years ago when my Dad was no longer able to go. But there was no way either of us were going to miss the chance to see the Shots play at Wembley and it was a great day out - the chance to go to football as a family for the first time in ages, seeing old friends etc. It was also great to see such a professional performance on the pitch, especially given our habit over the years of failing to turn up for the big occasion! I won't forget that day, and maybe I'll make more of an effort to get back to the Rec once or twice next season.

It's a common theme ACA. I rarely also go these days for various good reasons, and I'm guessing that applies to many of the 16,000 odd extras who attended. I even had one friend who said he was gutted he couldn't go. His last game was against Lymington and New Milton decades ago.

People justifiably assume the core support is the same 2, 2.5k fans but Sunday shows that it's very likely a high degree of churn exists.

It's sad that the Club can't grow the fanbase. I have my theories but that's not a topic right now.

Let's hope this extraordinary event is a wake up call for all who care about the Club, especially those in a position to make things happen.

A new ground with modern facilities would help . Look a Wembley Sunday (not that I'd expect that ) but easy to get served with plenty of choice . A nice comfy clean stadium . I love the rec but it's had its day .