A bit like Christmas, much of the magic was in the buildup, the outcome all but decided inside half an hour, but Tommy Widdrington, the Aldershot manager, is still daring to dream of Wembley. The 5,000 travelling fans filling the Smethwick End were in fine voice for the majority of their big day out, despite West Brom going 3-0 up early on, but saved their biggest roar for when the substitute Oliver Bray scored the National League side’s consolation with almost the last kick of the match.
“We’re Aldershot till we die,” they sang as their players stood in front of their end of the ground moments later. It is to be hoped a good proportion of them will be at Bishop’s Stortford for the FA Trophy fourth-round tie on Saturday where another memorable cup run could be brewing. “In the previous five years, Aldershot Town hadn’t won a game in the FA Cup, so to have beaten two league sides [Swindon and Stockport] in this run has been magnificent,” Widdrington said.
