Aldershot Town are in the hunt of National League promotion and are in the FA Cup first-round – it’s a welcome struggle of yesteryear

Aldershot Town are gaining momentum in the National League under the guidance of manager Tommy Widdrington.

When Widdrington took charge of the Shots in April, the Hampshire side were in the middle of a relegation battle.

The former Southampton man ensured the Shots would be playing National League football for an 11th-straight season, leading them to an 18th-placed finish.

When Aldershot lost their star defender Tyler Cordner to York City in the summer, many feared the worst for Widdrington’s Shots.

Eighteen games into the 2023-24 season and Aldershot currently occupy seventh place in the table, inside the play-offs by a point at present.

Some shrewd signings were made over the summer, including the arrival of Josh Stokes from AFC Sudbury.

Stokes has taken to the National League like a duck to water, netting eight times in 17 appearances in all competitions so far this season.

Lorent Tolaj signed on a free transfer following his release from Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Swiss striker was sent on a number of loan spells by Albion, with Cambridge United, Salford City and Dundee all failing to get the best out of him.

FA Cup first-round tie to look forward to

Tolaj has settled in well with the Shots though and is starting to hit form, including a hat-trick in the fourth-qualifying round of the FA Cup against Lewes. That win has set up a mouthwatering tie away to Swindon Town in the first-round on Saturday.

The youngster also bagged the winner away to Solihull Moors earlier last month, as Aldershot became the first team to beat Andy Whing’s side in the league this season.

In one of their most recent league encounters, the Shots left it late to overcome Hartlepool United at home.

Emmanuel Dieseruvwe gave the visitors the lead with a stunning overhead kick shortly before the hour mark, but the hosts fought back to claim all three points.

Kwame Thomas equalised with 10 minutes to go and just 43 seconds later, Stokes was through on goal to slot in the winner, to send the EBB Stadium into a state of euphoria.

It remains to be seen whether Widdrington can guide the Shots to an unlikely promotion back to the Football League for the first time in over a decade, but the early signs are certainly promising for a team more familiar with relegation battles in recent years.