FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round

Shortwood United............. 1

Cirencester Town.............. 1

By Jim Cunneen

THE romance of the FA Cup continued for Shortwood as super-sub Ross Langworthy forced a replay against Gloucestershire rivals Cirencester Town.

The Nailsworth club made national news last season for reaching the FA Cup first round, but with only five players left from that epic run, a new-look side gave Southern Premier outfit Cirencester Town a stern test.

Earlier ,former Shortwood favourite Mark Pritchett gave his new club a third minute lead with a spectacular over head kick, but Langworthy’s goal with 14 minutes remaining forced a replay at Cirencester on Tuesday.

Co-manager John Evans felt satisfied with the draw.

He said: “I thought we were well worth the draw. We knew their main threat would come from set pieces but otherwise we contained them well – Sam Rawlings was man of the match today, he had a great game and kept both wingers quiet.”

Wood attacked from the start , but fell behind to a spectacular strike from Pritchett. The game quickly settled into a pattern. Matt Bennett and Tim Haddock had shots blocked and Haddock tested former Welsh international keeper Garner. Adam Price almost put Lewis Sommers in and just before the break Garner made a terrific save to turn away a fierce volley from Haddock.

Both sides swapped early second half chances and Pritchett should have doubled his sides score but fired wildly over from close range and Price’s cross to the far post was met by Josh Egan, but his volley was well wide.

The Wood management rang the changes and James Singh immediately offered a threat. A Rawlings cross was only cleared with great difficulty before Wood deservedly levelled after 76 minutes.

Marley Thomas put Singh free down the right and his cross curled to Langworthy 10 yards out at the far post who shot back across Garner and in at the far post.

Twice in the closing stages Shortwood had chances to win it - and twice Garner was forced into saves. The visitors Hooper also shot over – but a win for either side would have been harsh .

Shortwood : King, Rawlings, Humphreys (Singh 59), Thomas A, Lee, Haddock, Egan (Thomas M 70) , Hancock, Sommers, Price (Langworthy 70), Bennett.

Subs not used: Sykes, Hoskins.

Star Man: Sam Rawlings.

Att: 150.