Chester v Aldershot

1) Aldershot 1 (White) Chester 0 – FA Cup 2nd Round – December 11th 1948 – Att: 10,000 The first meeting between the two sides and it’s the Shots who go through to earn a third round tie at Gateshead. The only goal of the game is scored in the 25th minute by Jack White after Reg Butcher and Eric Lee fail to clear a cross from Ron Hobbs. Chester’s best effort comes from Duncan Harrigan who strikes the underside of the crossbar, but City are unable to capitalise on their second half pressure and only have themselves to blame for not making better use of their chances.	2) Chester 2 (Bullock, Pearson) Aldershot 2 (D Price, Pacey) – Division Four – October 11th 1958 Att: 6,655 The first league meeting between the sides following the creation of Division Four and bottom of the table Aldershot grab a hard earned point at Sealand Road. Former England international Stan Pearson scores one of the City goals while outside right Derrick Price scores his only goal for the Shots. Chester finish the season in mid-table while Aldershot have to seek re-election.
3) Aldershot 6 (Stepney (3), Norris (3)) Chester 2 (Davies, Hewitt) – Division Four – April 4th 1962 Att: 3,833 Aldershot’s biggest victory over Chester with Robbie Stepney and George Norris both helping themselves to hat-tricks. Former Welsh international Ron Hewitt scores his third goal in five games since joining from Coventry City. Chester, with only one win in 31 games, finish bottom of Division Four while the Shots miss out on promotion by three points. The Chester defence includes veterans Ronnie Hughes and Ray Gill who by now have made just under 800 appearances in total.	4) Chester 6 (Talbot, Metcalf (2), Morris (3)) Aldershot 2 (Chamberlain, Kearns) – Division Four – December 12th 1964 Att: 5,152 Chester sweep aside Aldershot for their biggest win of the season and avenge their opening day defeat at the Recreation Ground. Gary Talbot scores his first goal since turning full time professional while Elfed Morris scores his only league hat-trick for Chester. Peter Kearns is the main threat for the Shots who are unable to combat City’s deadly forward line.
5) Aldershot 1 (Melledew) Chester 1 (Purdie) – Division Four – January 27th 1973 Att: 3,581 Chester stun promotion contenders Aldershot with a Bernard Purdie goal seven minutes from time after Steve Melledew had given the Shots the lead with a stunning volley. Centre half Reg Matthewson makes his Chester debut after playing more than 300 games for Fulham and Sheffield United. Despite dropping a home point Aldershot go on to clinch promotion leaving Chester as the only side in the Football League never to have won promotion.	6) Chester 1 (Storton) Aldershot 0 – Division Three – October 11th 1975 Att: 3,375 The first Third Division meeting between the sides and bottom of the table Chester secure only their second win of the season. The Chester skipper, Trevor Storton, scores the only goal of the game in the 14th minute from a Tony Loska cross. Barry Watling, on loan from Hartlepool, plays his final game for Chester. David Howitt starts his first game for the Shots after signing from Workington. Although Chester pull away from the relegation zone Aldershot slip back to Division Four in 21st place.
7) Aldershot 1 (Storton og) Chester 2 (Allen, Sloan) – Division Four – November 13th 1983 Att: 1,675 Chester win their first game at the Recreation Ground at the eighteenth attempt despite Trevor Storton heading the ball into his own net after only two minutes. Former Aldershot player John Sainty takes charge of Chester for the first time in the role of caretaker coach following the resignation of Cliff Sear. Nigel Edwards makes his 298th appearance in a City shirt. He had previously played 137 times for Aldershot.	8) Chester City 1 (Rimmer (pen)) Aldershot 0 – Canon League Division Four – November 2nd 1985 Att: 2,180 Goal machine Stuart Rimmer scores his 13th goal of the season as Chester maintain their promotion challenge in a poor game. Graham Abel makes his first appearance for Chester after signing from Northwich Victoria. He goes on to play 296 games for the club. It proves an eventful debut for Graham as he is concussed early on and carried off near the end after tearing knee ligaments. Chester win promotion as runners up to Swindon while Aldershot finish 16th.
9) Chester City 4 (Rimmer 2 (1 pen), Bennett, Croft) Aldershot 1 (Johnson) – Barclays League Division Three – September 5th 1987 Att: 1,700 The two sides once again meet in Division Three following Aldershot’s promotion through the play-offs at the expense of Wolves. Goalkeeper Mike Stowell makes his City debut, on loan from Everton, while Stuart Rimmer, beginning a run of 19 goals in 20 games, is again on target. Aldershot gain their revenge later in the season when the scoreline is reversed and Ian McDonald scores a hat-trick.	10) Chester City 1 (Dale) Aldershot 1 (Claridge) – Barclays League Division Three – March 15th 1989 Att: 2,038 The last meeting at Sealand Road and the final Football League meeting between the sides. Chester trail at half time and are booed off the pitch but City’s Man of the Match, Carl Dale, snatches an equaliser early in the second half. Aldershot belie their lowly position with some neat football and their goal, on the stroke of half time, is scored by Steve Claridge. Despite this draw Aldershot finish bottom of the table and are relegated to Division Four. In March 1992 the Shots lose their fight for survival and drop out of the Football League.

Chas Sumner [Published 6/04/04]

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