FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round
Longwell Green Sports 1, Shortwood United 1
(Shortwood win on penalties)
Shortwood United progressed to the First Round Proper of the FA Vase after edging past Longwell Green Sports in a penalty shootout on Saturday, writes Jim Cunneen.
The tie was almost a mirror image of their previous clash at Chipping Sodbury – Wood were on top for much of the game, created the clearer chances, but once again needed spot-kicks to secure progression.
Goalkeeper Joe Wright was the hero, making two superb saves in the shootout and collecting the Man of the Match award – not only for his penalty heroics, but also for his composure throughout the 90 minutes. The result was made all the more impressive given the thin squad Shortwood were able to field.
Wood started brightly and, apart from an early Bainbridge header over the bar, had the better of the play. After 17 minutes, a long kick from Wright was flicked on by Bradshaw to send Cooke clear, only for home keeper Brown to deny him with his feet. Bradshaw, following up, was unlucky to see his shot come back off the post.
Bradshaw continued to threaten, clipping the top of the bar from distance before having a headed goal ruled out for a very tight offside. Cronin also saw a shot cleared off the line, while Longwell’s best chance fell to Tyler Wood, who blazed over from six yards.
The pattern continued after the break with Cronin (twice) and Cooke going close. Shortwood eventually took the lead on 62 minutes: Wright’s long clearance was flicked on by Cronin, and Bradshaw held off his marker before drilling low into the corner – ironically the hardest chance he had all afternoon.
Longwell responded as Brown rattled the bar before the hosts levelled. A corner caused chaos in the Wood box, and Bainbridge managed to toe-poke home from close range.
Bradshaw later limped off, and neither side could find a winner, sending the tie to penalties. Wright then stepped up, saving the decisive spot-kick before being mobbed by jubilant teammates.
Shortwood: Wright, Royer, King T (Underwood 75), King E, Mulraney, Williams (Foxwell 90+2), Cronin, Martin, Bradshaw (Bowes 70), Cooke, Gardner
MOM: Joe Wright
