Aldershot Town and Southend United square off on Wednesday evening looking for the win that will move them away from the National League relegation zone.
Both clubs are currently locked on the same points in 16th and 15th position in the standings respectively.
Match preview
![National League manager Kevin Maher of Southend United during National League match between Dagenham and Redbridge against Southend United at Victoria Road, Dagenham on August 12, 2023 [on August 18, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/33/kevin-maher.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "National League manager Kevin Maher of Southend United during National League match between Dagenham and Redbridge against Southend United at Victoria Road, Dagenham on August 12, 2023 [on August 18, 2024]")
© Imago
For the best part of a month, Aldershot had put together a seven-game winless streak in the National League, seeing them drop down the table.
However, victories in two different cup competitions seem to have kick-started their campaign and eased any pressure on head coach Tommy Widdrington.
A 2-1 success over Bath City in the FA Cup has set up a first-round trip to League Two side Bradford City, a result that was followed up by a 3-0 win against Derby County Under-21s in the National League Cup.
Perhaps the most important triumph came versus Eastleigh in the league, with the Shots rallying from a goal down to prevail 2-1 thanks to efforts during the closing 20 minutes.
There is now a five-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone at a time when they have suffered just two defeats in seven at the Recreation Ground.
From the perspective of Southend, they have failed to post successive wins in all competitions throughout the campaign until the last two matches.
Kevin Maher witnessed his team record a 1-0 win over Eastleigh in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round before prevailing by the same scoreline at Rochdale.
Ending a run of six games without a clean sheet in such fashion has deliver a huge boost to the Shrimpers at a time when they will want to deliver a promotion push.
For now, though, they are six points adrift of the top seven, with the current focus on moving more than five points clear of 21st-placed Fylde with a fourth league game without defeat on their travels.
Team News
With Ryan Jones and Jack Barham both coming off the substitutes' bench to score for Aldershot against Eastleigh, they will hope to return to the starting lineup.
Oliver Scott and Hady Ghandour are the players that could drop out in what may otherwise be an unchanged side.
Meanwhile, Maher will consider naming the same Southend XI providing there are no injury issues arising from the Rochdale game.
Keenan Appiah-Forson is an option to come into the midfield to offer some fresh legs to a side that had to battle hard to defeat the promotion contenders.
Macauley Bonne may also be considered for a start in the final third.
Aldershot Town possible starting lineup:
Dewhurst; Jones, Menayese, Byrd, Jones; Akpan, Widdrington, Hargreaves; Henry, Barrett; Barham
Southend United possible starting lineup:
Andeng-Ndi; Taylor, Crowther, Gubbins; Wind, Morton, Husin, Ralph; Coker, Walker, Pepple
We say: Aldershot Town 1-2 Southend United
With both clubs ending winless streaks at the weekend, they will be confident of replicating that effort on Wednesday. For us, though, we are backing Southend to come through with the three points, potentially by the odd goal in three.
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