Well our luck had to change sometime and we finally got a slice yesterday. Speaking with away fans after the game, they said we won fair and square and were bemoaning their own misfortunes but STILL singing at the rail station!

I have to say that Grimsby Town fans are just about the best I have seen for a long long time; great fun, generous, and proper Grimsby.

And the money they spent in The George was phenomenal, the debit cards taking a hammering as pint after pint and trays of shots flowed throughout the two hours I was there. I was given one of the shots on top of the two points bought for me by Grimsby fans and here are some of them who were at the next table.

Those fans travel everywhere with ‘Town’ and some in the first pic are flying out today (Sunday) to San Marino for the England game.

After the game I saw them again and I told them that we were both winners because they’ll be going up and we could be staying up and we will if we can put in a display like we did.

Aldershot came into the game sitting second from bottom of the National League table and desperate for points to end their nightmare run at home.

Alfie Saunders made a debut in defence which meant Oxlade-Chamberlain got a centre-back berth alongside Kodi and fair to say apart from his usual yellow card he had a decent game.

Shots had the first attack of the game as Corie Andrews got past Towler and sent the ball across but the move did not lead to McKeown being called into action.

CLICK ON THE PLAYER ABOVE TO HEAR THE EAST BANK FROM YESTERDAY

And after an uncertain start by the visitors, Aldershot took the lead on 12 minutes when Tommy Willard struck from close range after a free kick was headed on.

Lewis Kinsella’s ball to the far post was not dealt with and after it was headed back across goal by Kodi Lyons-Foster, WILLARD ran in to score from close range.

Grimsby’s response was swift as Harry Clifton brought them level within five minutes but they were unable to build from that and when the third goal came just after the hour, it was Alfy Whittingham who settled the contest in favour of the home side and sentenced Grimsby Town to a fourth straight loss in all competitions.

Glover was shown the first yellow card of the afternoon after fouling Clifton near the right edge of the penalty area but Town were unable to create a shooting chance from the resulting free kick.

Willard fired wide for Aldershot, then another home free kick was cleared by Khouri as the half-hour mark passed.

Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain was booked for a foul on Clifton on 39 minutes, then a long throw from Alfie Saunders caused problems in the Town defence as Revan headed past McKeown. Thankfully for the visitors, Efete was able to get back and clear.

In the second half, Aldershot assistant manager Tom Prodomo was shown the yellow card after Kinsella went down again, although the home side were unable to create anything from the resulting free kick.

But soon afterwards, Aldershot snatched their lead back as a long throw was flicked on and WHITTINGHAM followed up to volley into the net.

And that was where I happened to be recording at the time so the winning goal went in the can, as it were.

The following video is a compilation of East Bank scenes from yesterday. The place was buzzing after our second goal and it was a great atmosphere in which both sets of fans can take credit.

EAST BANK VIDEO

With ten minutes to go, the visitors had the ball in the back of the net, but it was quickly ruled out for offside.

In the 88th minute, Grimsby continued to pile on the pressure, but some brilliant work by the Aldershot Town defence and Laurie Walker kept multiple close range efforts out. The original attempt was saved by the fingertips of Walker from a tight angle, and the rebound was brilliantly blocked and cleared behind for a corner, which was dealt with by The Shots.

But despite all of this pressure, Aldershot Town managed to hold on and pick up a fantastic first home win of the season.

It’s a shame that a better attendance, that of 2,343 was only due to the 600+ visiting supporters on a day when Notts County drew 10,000 more but I think was down to a much reduced admission price.

MARINERS REACTION

Grimsby fans on Twitter were about blaming the manager for taking us too lightly or bemoaning their lack of a striker but this selection of tweets I found amusing as they’re not dissimilar to what we have been saying for many weeks about our own performances.

But doesn’t this look better. The two teams above us though do have a game in hand on us but today’s result gives us some renewed hope that we can haul ourselves out of trouble.

Shots are next in action Tuesday 23rd November at the Rec (or EBB Stadium if you will), against Torquay United.

In closing, I think that we should note that the Remembrance Day was observed respectfully by both sets of supporters. Important I think because on a day of wild celebration for our team, we dutifully pay respect to those who fought so bravely many years before.

So as our team showed a togetherness and a willingness that had been absent for so long, we all hope that, not getting carried away of course, that this can be the catalyst in a reversal of fortune.