By Jon Couch
CALLUM Reynolds reckons last season's play-off heartache is the catalyst behind Aldershot Town's 100% start to the new campaign.
Centre-back Reynolds led the Shots into the National League play-offs last term, only for their promotion hopes to be ended by Tranmere Rovers, courtesy of a 3-0 first-leg home defeat.
But with the core of their squad signing extended contracts in the summer, the Shots have hit the ground running in the opening week of the new season, following up their 2-0 away victory at FC Halifax on Saturday with a 3-2 home success against Torquay United on Tuesday night.
Now, with the Shots sitting on top of the table by virtue of goal difference, Reynolds believes his side are taking the positives from last season's disappointment.
“There has been no target set but we know what we want to achieve as a group and I think we can draw on the experience of last year,” said Reynolds, who joined from Boreham Wood 12 months ago.
“It was painful to lose the way we did in the play-offs last year and the manner in which we did. We didn't really do ourselves justice in the semi-final. We did more in the second leg but the first leg was very disappointing.
“Now though, we are looking forward rather than looking back and just trying to focus on winning the next game.”
As well as keeping the vast majority of last season's squad together, Waddock has added a number of key additions including Bobby-Joe Taylor, from Maidstone, and Corinthian Casuals striker Shaun Okojie – both of whom scored on their home debuts against Torquay.
And Reynolds believes Waddock has the perfect blend to launch another promotion tilt this time round.
“We've got a good group of lads,” he added. “We've kept the core from last year and we've added some good players. There are no egos, just young, hungry players who want to be playing higher and definitely have the potential to.
“By keeping the group together, we've got a year's experience behind us and a year of togetherness, winning and losing together, spending time together and being around each other.
“We've grown closer and that can only make us stronger.”
