ALDERSHOT TN 2, WREXHAM 0

ALTHOUGH Gary Waddock would never admit it this early in the National League season, his new Aldershot Town side made a positive and promising statement of intent with this convincing victory.

Winger Shamir Fenelon got them off to the perfect start with a goal in the third minute and Scott Rendell sealed the win early in the second half as Wrexham – boasting 17 new signings from their own summer overhaul – were made to look decidedly ordinary.

Goalkeeper Jake Cole suffered a back spasm in the warm-up, throwing Mark Smith in for an unexpected debut, but the Shots effortlessly shook off the adversity.

“I said I wanted to make this place difficult to come to and we’re beginning to do that,” said the manager. “But it’s only three points for us and we’re only two (home) games in. There’s a long way to go, but I’m enjoying what I’m seeing. I’ve told the players that if you work as hard as they do, more often than not you will come away with a reward. And if we continue like that we’ll give ourselves a chance in any game.”

The Dragons may have been below-par, but the Shots displayed such pace and sheer desire that the visitors never looked likely to be anything other than well beaten. Pressurised into errors by the home side’s work-rate, Wrexham failed to establish much beyond a shaky foothold in the game.

Aldershot’s pressing tactics brought the quick breakthrough. Fenelon nipped the ball of the toe of a hesitant Sean Newton and after a swift exchange of passes with Matt McClure raced on to shoot decisively inside the near post.

Neither goalkeeper was over-employed in the first half, despite Aldershot’s bright start and Wrexham’s subsequent, albeit toothless, resurgence. The Welsh side enjoyed periods of possession without finding a way through Waddock’s miserly back four.

The departure of Fenelon, with a hamstring injury, briefly knocked Aldershot off their assured stride. Jake Gallagher fired a shot over the bar and Matt McClure had a back-heeled flick cleared off the line by John Rooney.

But on 58 minutes, their second goal was a superb way to seal victory. A controlled 14-pass move ended with Nick Arnold angling a brilliant return pass down the line to Bernard Mensah who crossed low to the near post for Rendell to score with a nonchalant tap-in.

Smith was belatedly called into action four minutes later when he parried Martin Riley’s free header and the preservation of a clean sheet pleased Waddock as much as the stylish attacking play. “I’m delighted for Mark – to come in at the last minute and perform like he did was very pleasing,” said the manager. “The save he made was just as important as the goals we scored.”

It summed up Aldershot Town’s new approach, built on aggressive, no-nonsense defending – a trait perhaps missing from Waddock’s previous, rollercoaster ride of a tenure – but once again illuminated by some fine football.

Aldershot: Smith; Alexander, W Evans, Reynolds, Arnold; Fenelon (Kellermann 28), Gallagher, Bellamy, Mensah (Allen 78,); Rendell (Wakefield 86), McClure. Subs (not used): Straker, Saville.

Wrexham: Dunn 6; Carrington, Riley, Bencherif, Newton; Rutherford, Barry (Bakare 46), Rooney, J Evans (Powell 46); Harvey (Nortey 46), McDonagh. Subs (not used): Edwards, Harrad. Booked: Rooney, Rutherford.

Referee: Craig Hicks.

Attendance: 1,907.