There were several players in the Aldershot Town F.A. Trophy winning team who have represented teams in Kent.

After a goal-less first half, former Phoenix Sports, Welling United and Maidstone United striker Jack Barham made the breakthrough and the Shots never looked back. 

Part time Spennymoor Town, who ended the season in ninth place in the National League North, had the best chance in the first half when Rob Ramshaw was found by Matty Nolan but, with just goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst to beat, there was not enough power on his side-foot shot and the goalkeeper was able to pull off a comfortable save.

Josh Barrett drew a good save out of Spennymoor goalkeeper, before former Welling midfielder Theo Widdrington, son of manager Tommy and brother of celebrity dancer Kai, tried his luck with a shot that James caught.

Three minutes after the half time break, man of the match Barham diverted James Henry’s cross into the bottom corner to settle Aldershot’s nerves.

From that point on, defender Luca Woodhouse, who made a couple of appearances for F.A. Vase winners Whitstable Town when on loan from Tonbridge Angels, had a fairly comfortable afternoon. He also represented Hythe Town earlier in his career.

Barham sent an overhead kick wide before Dan Ellison made it two-nil when heading home from Barrett’s corner. Former Ebbsfleet striker Kwame Thomas replaced Barham for the last seventeen minutes however, Hady Ghandour, previously at Maidstone, and one time Dartford loanee, Ollie Bray, didn’t get on.

Thomas was involved with the third goal when heading it forward to Barrett and he unleashed a stunning dipping left foot volley that gave James no chance.

One time Bromley player Ryan Jones, and Welling’s player of the season in 2023/24 Lachlan Byrd, were both absentees through injury but joined the players on the pitch to join in the post match celebrations.

Hugo Langton, the Shots Assistant Manager is also well known to Kent football fans and he too was part of the celebrations.

Aldershot Town: Dewhurst (Van Stappershoef 89), Jones, Frost (Scott 90+2), Armitage, Ellison, Woodhouse, Tetek (Corbett 57), Widdrington, Barham (Thomas 73), Barrett, Henry (Mullins 81).

Subs not used: Bray, Ghandour.

Goalscorers: Barham (48), Ellison (70), Barrett (87)

Yellow cards: None

Spennymoor Town: James (Johnson 90+2), Dyson, Staunton, Dolan (Ross 83), Ledger, Beals (Rowe 84), Mondal (Rutledge 68), Shrimpton, Taylor, Ramshaw, McKeown (Harris 73).

Subs not used: Myers, Simpson.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Taylor (66 foul)

Referee: Lewis Smith

Assistants: Andrew Fox and Sam Lewis

Fourth official: Elliott Bell

Man of the match: Jack Barham (Aldershot Town)

Attendance: 38,600