In a hard-fought encounter at the Crown Oil Arena, Rochdale secured a vital three points against Aldershot Town, with Harvey Gilmour’s second-half strike proving to be the difference in a 1-0 victory. The win sees Rochdale continue their strong league campaign, consolidating their position near the top of the English National League table, while Aldershot Town remain in the lower reaches.
The first half was a cagey affair, with both sides probing for an opening but struggling to create clear-cut chances. Rochdale, playing at home, looked to assert dominance early on, but Aldershot’s disciplined defence held firm. The visitors, perhaps sensing the need to disrupt Rochdale’s rhythm, resorted to a more physical approach, leading to a yellow card for Keane Anderson in the 55th minute for a foul.
The tactical landscape shifted around the hour mark. Rochdale manager Jimmy McNulty made a double substitution in the 61st minute, introducing Jake Burger and Aidan Barlow in place of Kevin Berkoe and Connor McBride, aiming to inject more creativity into the side. Aldershot also made tactical adjustments, introducing Hady Ghandour and James Henry in the 79th minute, signalling their intent to push for a late equaliser.
The breakthrough arrived in the 65th minute. Tobi Adebayo-Rowling provided the assist for Harvey Gilmour, who found the net to give Rochdale a crucial 1-0 lead. This goal injected a surge of energy into the home side, who now had a tangible lead to defend.
As the match entered its final stages, the tension was palpable. Aldershot Town, chasing the game, increased the pressure, but Rochdale’s defence stood resolute. The physicality of the contest continued, with Aidan Barlow of Rochdale receiving a yellow card in the 88th minute for a foul. Aldershot’s frustration was evident as Ryan Jones and James Henry were also booked in the dying moments of the game for fouls, underscoring the intensity of the closing exchanges.
Despite Aldershot’s late efforts, Rochdale held on to secure a deserved, albeit narrow, victory. The three points keep Rochdale firmly in contention at the upper echelons of the National League. For Aldershot Town, this defeat marks another setback in a difficult season. The narrow margin of victory reflected a tightly contested match where a single moment of quality, delivered by Gilmour, ultimately decided the outcome.