FA Cup Preliminary Round

Shrivenham 1

Shortwood United 6

By Jim Cunneen

 

SHORTWOOD'S love affair with the FA Cup continued as they hit Hellenic Premier Shrivenham for six.

The Nailsworth side may only boast a handful of players who reached the FA Cup first round last season, but on this evidence another cup run is in the offing. The Wood will now face sterner opposition when they face Southern League Premier outfit Cirencester Town at Meadowbank in the next round.

Lewis Sommers got the goal tide underway when he fizzed in from 25 yards after fine approach play from Jake Lee and Will Morford.

Three minutes later Ross Langworthy whipped in a cross and Corcoran almost headed past his own keeper. Although Moody parried he was powerless to prevent Adam Price from heading the rebound home.

Within two minutes of the restart Wood were 3-0 up. A Tom King free-kick from deep was flicked on by Sommers and Morford raced through and sent a precise chip over the advancing Moody. Shrivenham flickered briefly when Matty Bennett headed home at the far post but it was only a momentary blip as Shortwood remained in control.

Shortwood should have restored their three-goal cushion when Moody parried Langworthy's shot and Price's effort was cleared off the line.

The reprieve was brief, however. With 71 minutes gone Moody made a fine save to stop Tim Haddock's raking drive, but Price sent the resultant corner to the near post where Matt Bennett powered his header home.

Co-manager Alex Sykes sent on Marley Thomas and he immediately made his mark picking up a knock-down from Sommers, stepping inside a defender, wrong-footing Moody and firing home for a fine solo goal.

Deep in injury time Morford's long run was unceremoniously ended with a trip and he fired the penalty home.

SHORTWOOD: King, Rawlings, Humphreys, Thomas A, Lee (John 80), Haddock, Langworthy (Thomas M 75), Price, Sommers, Morford, Bennett.

Sub not used: Sykes.

Star Man: Tim Haddock.