ALDERSHOT TN 3, WOKING 1

AFTER a perfect November, Aldershot stuttered badly in December, but a deserved victory over Woking on Boxing Day renewed hopes of a serious promotion challenge in the second half of the National League season.

If only the Shots could bottle the sparkling form that eventually subdued the Cards in a thoroughly entertaining festive derby for the 4000-plus spectators at the EBB Stadium.

Gary Waddock had Scott Rendell back leading the line, with Shamir Fenelon playing on the right and Bobby-Joe Taylor raiding down the left.

The prolific Fenelon scored twice in the first half and Rendell was tireless and inventive, while man-of-the-match Taylor terrorised Woking with his elusive running, accurate crossing and powerful shooting from distance.

Woking, constantly urged on by jack-in-the-box manager Antony Limbrick, looked good up front, but were not so clever at the back and Aldershot were in the mood to exploit any lapses.

The spectators, boisterous and vociferous, many straight out of the pub, generated a lively atmosphere on a raw, sleet-splattered afternoon, and the tone of an open game was set as the sides exchanged goals in the 12th and 14th minutes.

The Shots had a stroke of luck as Bernard Mensah’s mis-kick turned into a perfect pass to Taylor who crossed into the goalmouth. Woking failed to get the ball clear and Fenelon blasted home from close range.

The Cards swiftly responded with a classy equaliser. After a strong run down the right, Joe Ward cut the ball inside and Inih Effiong, without breaking stride, found the bottom corner with a deft volley.

This was Woking’s best spell of the game and, four minutes later, they were unlucky not to take the lead when Effiong hit the crossbar after some clever build-up play by Jason Banton.

But Aldershot moved up a gear in the last 20 minutes of the half. Cards keeper Nathan Baxter saved superbly from Taylor’s searing free-kick and then stopped a fierce drive from the same player.

The Shots were back in front on 27 minutes. A sumptuous lofted pass from?Rendell sent Fenelon racing clear on the right and the number 7 finished in style, cracking the ball past the advancing Baxter and into the back of the net.

Fenelon should have had his hat-trick before half-time, heading straight into Baxter’s arms from three yards, while Kane Ferdinand found the net for Woking, but had strayed offside.

Needless to say, the next goal was going to be vital and it was effectively game over when Aldershot took a 3-1 lead in the 64th minute. Inevitably, it was Taylor who supplied the cross and Mensah knocked the ball back from beyond the far post for Manny Oyeleke to bang home off the crossbar.

The Shots played with freedom, even elan, in the final quarter and Rendell and Mensah were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet as the Cards lost their edge under sustained pressure.

“At the end, I thought we deserved the victory,” said Gary Waddock. “Woking started the game very well, but slowly and surely we got closer to how we can play. That was more like us.

“It’s a derby game and you expect all the players and supporters to be up for the game – and that was the case.”

Aldershot advance from sixth to third in the table. If they can beat Maidstone at home this Saturday and get a result in the return game at Woking on New Year’s Day, Waddock’s men will really be back in business.

Aldershot: L Ward, Alexander, Evans, Fowler, Reynolds, Mensah (Bozier 89), Gallagher, Oyeleke, Taylor, Fenelon, Rendell (McClure 73). Subs (not used): Cole, Lyons-Foster. Booked: Fowler, Taylor.

Woking: Baxter, Ramsay, Ralph, Staunton, Wynter (Jones 78), Isaac, Ferdinand, J Ward, Banton (Saraiva 64), Carter (Philpot 71), Effiong. Subs (not used): Wollacott, Orlu.

Referee: David Rock.

• The Boxing Day attendance of 4,181 (740 away) was comfortably Aldershot’s biggest of the season and the best home league gate for seven years.

• Ipswich have recalled Adam McDonnell from his loan spell at Aldershot. The promising midfielder has made 19 appearances since joining in August.

Left-back Chris Arthur has left Aldershot by mutual consent. The full-back played 13 games before joining Whitehawk on loan in November.