Aldershot Town won a five-goal thriller as they beat Woking 3-2 in the National League on New Year’s Day at The Laithwaite Community Stadium.

Woking were yet to score under Michael Doyle in two games, but also yet to concede, and it would be the latter which would be ended first 25 minutes into the game.

Josh Stokes did well to intercept possession in a dangerous area for the Shots, and worked the ball to Lorent Tolaj. From an angle Tolaj was able to squeeze the ball past Alexis Andre Jr to give the visitors the lead.

Doyle would get his first goal as Woking manager moments later, as former Shot Rhys Browne got the Cards back on terms four minutes after Aldershot had taken the lead.

An initial effort came in from Tunji Akinola and Shots keeper Jordi van Stappershoef initially did well to deny him, but Browne was on hand to bundle home the rebound and start 2024 as he did 2023 – by scoring against the Shots.

The Shots then regained the lead on 36 minutes and Tolaj was involved again as he sent the ball through. Tolaj’s ball was not dealt with and found its way to Tyler Frost, who finished calmly to send the travelling Aldershot fans into raptures.

There wasn’t as much action to start the second half as there was to end the first, but the referee began to get his cards out of his pockets – firstly for Coby Rowe and then later for Rohan Ince as he dragged Tolaj back as he looked to get forwards.

Jack Barham had a big chance for the Shots on 74 minutes. Barham found a way around Andre Jr in the Cards net and eventually managed to work an effort on target, however Dan Moss made a crucial block for Woking to keep the game in touching distance for the home side.

Barham did then get himself on the scoresheet on 82 minutes. Ollie Harfield sent a good ball into the box, and Haji Mnoga headed the ball into the path of Barham, who scored from close range to make it 3-1.

Woking refused to lie down and pulled a goal back in the 90th minute. Padraig Amond was able to play a ball towards Reece Grego-Cox, who headed home from close range to make the game 3-2 just before the announcement that there would be nine minutes of added time.

The visitors were then reduced to ten men when Stokes was given a second yellow card and sent off for what the referee judged to be a dive.

Despite a man advantage and nine minutes to find an equaliser the Cards were unable to find a third goal to snatch a point, so Aldershot went back to The EBB Stadium with all the points.