FA Vase 2nd qualifying round
Shortwood 2 Cadbury Heath 3
Shortwood’s FA Vase hopes ended despite a determined display against Western League outfit Cadbury Heath, writes Jim Cunneen.
Wood threw everything but the kitchen sink at Cadbury Heath in the closing stages of this enthralling tie.
Earlier, Wood were slow to get going and Cadbury had the better of the opening 25 minutes. Heath’s Josh Williams hit the Wood bar after three minutes and Littlewood sent an attempted chip straight into the hands of Joe Wright.
Cadbury took the lead after 33 minutes through Williams, who had room to cut in and score from 15 yards. Alfie Bradshaw, who scored four at Carterton last week, headed a great cross from Jack Gardner just over and Dom Kent shot straight at Griffiths before captain Joe Tryner met a Fin Byrnes cross perfectly to put Wood level on the stroke of half-time.
All Wood’s good work was undone within three minutes of the restart when Williams had far too much to net his second.
Wood had an excellent shout for a penalty waived away as the ball appeared to be handled and Byrnes shot wide of the far post before Wood deservedly levelled after 65 minutes. Byrnes was again the provider when his driven cross was headed home by Martin Smith.
With Wood looking dangerous down the flanks, Gardner and Payne causing Cadbury Heath all sorts of problems, it looked like Wood would go on to win it but with 13 minutes to go a shot rebounded off the post for Dack to knock home the rebound.
Wood poured forward and Heath could not escape their half. Corner after corner caused problems and the balls into the Heathens box was incessant.
Griffiths made a terrific save to deny Smith, Duncan had an effort cleared off the line and he was then inches wide from a Byrnes low cross. In added time Smith headed a golden chance over and Cadbury Heath somehow survived,
Shortwood: Wright, King E (Williams 79), King T, Byrnes, Tryner, Whelan, Gardner, Kent (Duncan 79) Bradshaw (Martin 75), Smith, Price (Payne 61)
