Shortwood 5 Shipston Excelsior 0 – MARSH (UHL) Challenge Cup
Shortwood progressed to the next round of the League Cup with a 5-0 win over Division 2 (West) outfit Shipston Excelsior, writes Jim Cunneen.
Wood now face a trip to near neighbours Newent in early October in the next round.
With Wood having played so many games in August, and with so many games coming up, boss Dan Gillespie took the opportunity to shuffle his pack and on a steamy, hot, afternoon the game was virtually over after 18 minutes as Wood romped to a 3-0 lead against a Shipston side that never gave up and were unlucky not to score a consolation goal they deserved.
After that three-goal opening salvo Wood slowed the pace down and it took a late brace of goals to wrap the tie up as Wood contented themselves to play neat possession football.
Shipston had an early chance with Brown shooting straight at Thomas before Wood took the lead after 4 minutes. Bowes great run and pass found Ben Sluman and his shot somehow squirmed under keeper Payne just inside the post.
Payne then came out bravely to deny Sluman with his feet before the Wood man scored his second after 13 minutes. A lovely Wood move saw Bowes hold off his defender before passing inside to Sluman on the edge of the area and he placed his shot perfectly in the bottom corner.
While Shipston looked bright coming forward they were undone after 18 minutes with a peach of a goal. Byrnes found Ollie Price and he spanked the ball into the top corner from 20 yards.
The game slowed but Wood continued to make chances. Sabally had a shot saved by Payne, Sluman had a shot blocked and then had another effort cleared off the line.
Just before the break, Jamie Haines was unlucky to see a fine effort hit the inside of Thomas’s post and away.
Ryley Mace had an early second half shot miss the bar by inches and at the other end Renshaw forced Thomas into a save. Sabally chipped onto the roof of the net before Wood made wholesale changes just before the hour as players tired.
Gayner had an effort blocked on the hour before Wood scored their 4th after 77 minutes. A period of Wood passing ended with Loveridge lashing the ball home from 25 yards- his second of the week.
Dobbins forced Payne into a fine save but with just 3 minutes to go Wood completed the scoring. Dom Kent’s shot was handled on the line by Marston and the inevitable red card and penalty followed – Danny Gayner sending Payne the wrong way from the spot.
Shortwood: Thomas, Sabally (Loveridge 58), Ryley Mace, Byrnes, Tryner, Lyons (Kieron Mace 45), Bowes (Dan Gayner 58), Price (Kent 58), Dobbins, Smith, Sluman (Molyneux 58)
Star Player: Ryan Dobbins
