By Jim Cunneen

FA Cup second qualifying round

Shortwood United 2

Oxford City 1

SHORTWOOD United showed their indomitable spirit after  coming from behind to shock Conference North side Oxford City out of the FA Cup second qualifying round.

Goals from Adam Price and Tim Haddock left joint boss John Evans in celebratory mood.

“Magnificent!,” he said. “We had a go at the lads at half time for not being brave enough on the ball. We told them to go out and believe in the second half.

“City are a quality side and it was impossible to pick a man of the match – there were men of the match everywhere”

The Nailsworth side reached the first round proper last season and despite boasting just four players from the team that went toe-to-toe with Port Vale, they keep defying the odds and beating sides from higher division.

Whatever happens in the next round Shortwood can once again be proud of their achievements and the celebrations amongst players and fans were again loud and long.

Goalkeeper Tom King was a strong contender having made several tremendous saves, while defenders Ash Thomas and Jake Lee hurled themselves in front of everything.

But everywhere, all across the pitch the Shortwood players gave everything for the cause.

The last few minutes of the game was as frenetic as anything seen at Meadowbank – but the Wood held on to claim another famous victory.

The first half saw Shortwood enjoy their fair share of possession and create chances of their own but City always looked dangerous and Adi Yussuf and Kynan Isaac missing several chances.

One miss after 16 minutes almost defied belief. A cross from Isaac found Yussuf six yards out with the goal at his mercy but somehow he managed to volley the ball backwards and clear.

Lewis Sommers then picked up a week clearance from City keeper Freddy Hall but instead of trying the instant shot back with Bermuda International Hall out of position, he ran on and shot and the keeper saved.

The opening goal came to City after 33 minutes. A ball into the area found Yussuf and he controlled it, spun, and fired past King into the corner.

Wood still created half chances but the final word of the first half came from King as he tipped over a dipping effort from Javi Rodriguez Wood took the game to Oxford in the second half and twice Ross Langworthy got into good positions and forced Hall into saves.

Sommers was being pulled all over the place and it was his presence that forced City into a decisive error after 57 minutes. Ex-Forest Green captain Paul Stonehouse played a weak ball out of the area straight to Price and the former Brimscombe midfielder raced on and smashed the ball under Hall and in for the leveller.

Shortwood immediately should have had a penalty when Haddock was bundled over while at the other end King parried a 20 yarder from Rodriguez.

With 78 minutes gone Sommers pushed the ball to Price and he sent a curling cross to the far post - just out of the reach of Hall.

Haddock came in at the back and soured above everyone to send a thumping header into the net and spark wild celebrations.

King made an astonishing point blank save to deny Isaac who he denied again a minute later.

Haddock and Price played a neat one-two but Hall foiled Haddock and in injury time it was all hands to the pump to keep City at bay.

When the final whistle blew Shortwood left the field to a tremendous and deserving ovation from the faithful and the warm compliments of the travelling supporters and officials of the City side.

Shortwood United: T King, S Rawlings, M Bennett, A Thomas, J Lee, T Haddock, J Egan ( M Thomas 75), N Hancock, L Sommers, A Price (N Humphreys 89), R Langworthy (P Veal 86).

Subs not used : A Sykes, A Hoskins.

Attendance: 211