Weymouth 1

Shortwood United 0 

PROLIFIC non-league marksman Stewart Yetton struck the solitary goal to end plucky Shortwood United's FA Trophy interest in the first qualifying round, writes Jim Cunneen.

The Weymouth hot-shot hit the only goal of the tie with a clinical 59th minute strike.

Shortwood co-manager John Evans said: "This was a game we could have got something out of if we had been a bit more clinical – we had a lot of players missing, but still did really well – it was a case of what might have been, but I thought Phil Veal was outstanding."

The Terras are challenging for promotion to the Conference South but were pegged back by an in-form Shortwood side.

The diminutive Marley Thomas was on top form and he went close to breaking the deadlock when his effort was cleared following a Matt Bennett cross.

The Wood looked dangerous and keeper Jason Matthews raced off his line to deny that man Thomas and striker Ross Langworthy had a shot deflected wide. Wood continued to hold sway with Langworthy and Thomas going close again.

However, it was in added time at the end of the first half before Weymouth came close – Calvin Brooks heading inches wide from a free-kick.

The second half was nip and tuck. Langworthy chipped Matthews, but the ball landed on the roof of the net and then keeper Tom King denied Yetton with Jake Lee clearing the rebound.

Twice in three minutes Wood created good openings. Bennett lost control at a crucial moment with the first and Bennett and Langworthy over played the ball in the second and the move fizzled out.

The crucial goal came after 59 minutes. Weymouth created a good move down the right and when the ball came in low Yetton scored decisively.

Wood could have levelled after 64 minutes – Njoya created space and shot from a narrow angle and the ball cannoned away off the foot of the post . Still Wood pressed and Veal shot over and Matthews blocked a Thomas effort with his legs.

SHORTWOOD: King, Rawlings, Humphreys (Hancock 75), Thomas A, Lee, Veal, Thomas M, Price, Sommers (Egan 68), Langworthy, Bennett. (Njoya 60).

Subs not used: Hoskins, Sykes.

Star Man: Phil Veal.

Attendance: 420.