Shortwood's wait comes to an end (From Stroud News and Journal)

Shortwood's wait comes to an end

Bishops Cleeve 0, Shortwood United 0 Shortwood win 1-0 on aggregate. IT HAS been seven long years but it was certainly worth the wait. Not since the GFA Trophy winning side of Steve Hurn's team of 1996 have Shortwood gone through to a major final.

The wait is now over.

Shortwood expertly drilled and driven on by boss John Evans reached the Hellenic challenge cup final after a solid performance at Bishops Cleeve on Saturday.

Matt Green's goal in the first leg in Nailsworth proved sufficient to see the Nailsworth side through to the final on May 10. There they will face high-flying Yate Town who comfortably beat Abingdon United to go through with a 4-0 aggregate winning margin.

These young charges deserved every moment on Saturday as they huffed and puffed to a man, and despite five agonising minutes of added play, the ear-to-ear grin on boss Evans' face told its own story.

Working on a tight budget Evans has certainly galvanised his team who are beginning to look a rather tasty unit.

And the fact that they triumphed against a Cleeve side blessed with immense experience was testament to United's upward curve. Despite a 1-0 lead from the first leg United came to attack but opened with uncertainty.

Inside 60 seconds John Embling was forced to clear off the line. With sweat hardly broken United captain Mike Green and former Gloucester City player Andy Tucker both saw yellow with the pair fortunate not to be sent off after a midfield skirmish.

Cleeve, urged on by former Forest Green Rovers favourite Paul Collicutt, turned up the heat but found the ever improving Adam Thomas in resplendent form.

First he pushed away a teasing cross and moments later showed superb agility to deny John Hills. Cleeve though were rattled and two cards for cynical challenges on Craig Cole and Embling underlined this.

United began to gain the upper hand. Rich Evans, the epitome of running endeavour, did well to hold off former Port Vale defender Rich Clark.

His precise pass saw Embling fizz in a teasing cross. Cole's challenge and John Skeen's error saw Matt Green's 44th minute strike hit Skeen and roll to safety.

Cleeve continued to remain a danger with United though still in the box seat with their slender advantage.

However, Fran King almost found Cole with a fizzing cross that the striker was inches from converting.

Matt Green, Matt Haddock and Evans all went close but with 15 minutes to go Embling should have put the cup tie beyond reasonable doubt but he struck wide of an open goal from a Matt Green cross. Nonetheless United held strong.

* On a great club weekend the reserve team defeated Bredon 2-0 with goals from Clint Davies and Ian Szwekoski. While goals from Chris Davies and Chris Preece gave the youth team a 2-0 victory over Tytherington Rocks.

* Tonight, Wednesday United entertain Pewsey Vale in the league kick-off 7.30pm. On Saturday John Evans' side are again in home action with the visit of Carterton Town, kick-off 3pm. The youth team host Forest Green Rovers youth on Sunday at 2.30pm.

Youth team boss Mark Sumpter will act as John Evans' assistant until the end of the season after the departure of Ryan Gannaway.