Aldershot Town manager Scott Davies was relieved after his side reached the first round proper of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win at Tadley Calleva in their fourth qualifying round replay.
First-half goals from Nino Adom-Malaki and Marcus Dinanga fired the Shots to victory at Barlows Park and set up a trip to Oakwell to face League One outfit Barnsley in the first round proper.
“I’m relieved,” said Davies. “I’m pleased we've got through, but I’m not ecstatic.
“I was disappointed that we've had to come to a replay, because we were disappointing in the first game in terms of our end product.
“I thought we were much better this time. I thought we were excellent in the first half and should have been four or five up.
“At 2-0 you always want to make sure you get the next goal, but fortunately we didn't need to get the third.
“I thought the boys defended their box excellently. Tadley are obviously a threat from set pieces and long balls into the box. We kept a really high line, and kept Tadley out of our 18-yard box.
“It was a tough game. The mentality shift that’s needed from playing at the EBB Stadium to coming to Tadley is not easy, but I must credit the lads. They were far better than the first game.”
The Shots raced into a 2-0 lead within the first 14 minutes at Barlows Park, and Davies was delighted with his side’s fast start.
“It was hugely important to get ahead early in the game,” said Davies.
“The disappointing part after that is that we didn't score for 75 minutes, but that's just me being a little bit harsh and a little bit critical.
“I thought our all-round play and all-round game was very good. I thought we looked after the ball very well. We played forward when we needed to, and we took the sting out of it when we needed to.
“Tadley are very aggressive and very physical in the way in which they play. You have to stand up to it.
“I thought Tadley were outstanding over the two games. Their staff have got a bright future – they're doing a great job. I think Tadley will fly up the league and have a really successful season.
“It was a tough game, but we've managed to not become the talking point of the round.”
The Shots will be the underdogs when they travel to Barnsley in the first round proper of the FA Cup, and Davies is looking forward to seeing his side test themselves against League One opposition.
“It's our turn to be the underdog at Oakwell against Barnsley, and I fancy us in a game like that,” said Davies.
“When we’ve got nothing to lose, I feel we’re much better for it. It’s a game that we can go there and enjoy.
“It’s a great day out for us. We won’t go there to make the numbers up – we’ll go there with a gameplan. That game brings more crucial funds into the football club, which is important.
“I’m sure we’ll get a great following because we’ve got an incredible fanbase. Hopefully we’ll travel up there in our numbers. We’ll try to create a bit of history.”



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