Aldershot Town welcome Carlisle United to the EBB Stadium on Saturday with the sides looking to respond differently to their midweek results. The Shots are seventh on 18 points after losing at Hornchurch, while Carlisle arrive after ending a five-match winless run at Fylde.
Aldershot’s 2-1 defeat at Hornchurch on Tuesday followed an emphatic 5-1 home victory over Tamworth. Hakeem Sandah scored his first National League goal to bring the Shots level shortly before half-time at Hornchurch, but George Alexander restored the hosts’ lead on the hour.
The Tamworth victory remains the standout result from Aldershot’s recent sequence. They have taken seven points from their last five league matches, with victories over Solihull Moors and Tamworth, a draw against Yeovil and defeats at Barrow and Hornchurch.
Carlisle travel south after a much-needed 2-0 victory at Fylde on Tuesday. Jack Ellis dispossessed Danny Mayor before opening the scoring shortly before half-time, with Regan Linney converting David Ajiboye’s delivery in the 79th minute to secure the points.
The result was Carlisle’s first victory in six National League matches and their first clean sheet of the season. It also gave Linney goals in successive games after he scored in the 5-2 defeat by Woking four days earlier.
Carlisle have added experienced defender Tom Anderson to their squad ahead of the trip. The 33-year-old has joined on loan, with Rob Elliot highlighting the experience and leadership he brings to a side that has conceded 19 goals in its opening 11 league matches.
The Cumbrians completed a league double over Aldershot last season, winning both meetings 2-0. Regan Linney and Bevis Mugabi scored at Brunton Park, while Carlisle also left the EBB Stadium with all three points later in the campaign. The clubs’ history stretches further back, including their 2004/05 Conference play-off semi-final, which Carlisle won on penalties before securing promotion.
Aldershot enter the weekend seventh with 18 points from 11 matches after five wins, three draws and three defeats. Carlisle are 16th on 13 points, having won four, drawn one and lost six.
Carlisle’s victory at Fylde changes the immediate context after five games without a win, while Aldershot are looking for a response to Tuesday’s defeat. The Shots have won three of their five league games at the EBB Stadium this season, with Carlisle seeking consecutive victories for the first time since August.
