Aldershot tickets a tenner

West Ham United have slashed ticket prices for the Carling Cup first-round tie with Aldershot Town.

Fans can sit anywhere for just £5 for under-16s and £10 for adults - great value for the first step on the road to Wembley. Sam Allardyce is set to field many of his first-team regulars, while some of the club's brightest young talents could also be involved.

The match was originally due to be played on Tuesday 9 August but will now take place at 7.45pm on Wednesday 24 August. All tickets bought for the original fixture will be valid for the new date.

The draw for the Carling Cup second round has already paired the winners with Carlisle United. If the Hammers are successful against Aldershot, the tie would take place at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday 31 August, with a 7.45pm kick-off. 

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The Hammers, who reached the semi-finals of the same competition last season, will have high hopes of another good run under new manager Sam Allardyce.

Aldershot, who are managed by former Wimbledon and Bolton Wanderers striker Dean Holdsworth, finished 14th in League Two last season. The Shots have never got past the third-round stage of the League Cup and were beaten 3-0 at home by Watford in last season's first round.

Holdsworth played under Allardyce for four seasons at the Reebok Stadium before embarking on a successful coaching career with Newport County following his retirement. He has been in charge at the Recreation Ground since January 2011.

West Ham have reached the League Cup final on two previous occasions, finishing as runners-up to West Bromwich Albion in 1966 and Liverpool in 1981.

Outside of wartime football and minor cup competitions, West Ham have met Aldershot just twice previously. The Hammers were held to a goalless FA Cup third-round draw at the Boleyn Ground on 5 January 1991 before completing a 6-1 replay victory at the same venue eleven days later.

Among the players who have represented both clubs are Dale Banton, Bobby Barnes, Alan Dickie, Neil Finn, George Matthews, Reg Wade and Alan Wooler.