Shortwood 1 Stonehouse 1(5-4 pens) – MARSH Challenge Cup
Shortwood finally conceded a goal after 451 minutes when Nick Humphreys levelled for the Magpies after 78 minutes but Wood went through to the next round of the Challenge Cup after beating Stonehouse on penalties, writes Jim Cunneen.
Would had to play 50 minutes with only 10 men after Joe Williams was sent off for his second yellow card. It was a typical local derby, always enthralling but tense and had it been a league game a draw would have been about right.
Wood’s man of the match was keeper Joe Wright who made several fine saves, and then in the penalty shootout saved two of the Stonehouse spot kicks and scored from the spot himself.
Pictures: Brian Rossiter
Both sides had early shots blocked before Nathan Payne had a shot deflected over the bar after 14 minutes. Payne took the resultant corner himself and Whelan was unmarked at the far post to head powerfully home. The game was even and a tight midfield battle and it was only on 35 minutes that the next real goal opportunity came when Wight did well to keep out a powerful drive from Nick Humphreys. Payne was inches away from doubling Wood’s lead before Williams picked up his second yellow card after 40 minutes and Wood were reduced to 10 men.
Only two minutes into the second half and Gardner appeared to be tripped as he ran into the box but the referee was unmoved by Wood’s strong claims for the penalty. Wright saved a header from Soule. Spencer Martin fired wide for Stonehouse and Gardner did the same for Wood and Wright saved with his feet from Humphreys. Wood defended with their lives making block after block in a minute before Humphreys timed his run perfectly to convert a low cross at the far post with 12 minutes to go.
With no further real chances the game went to penalties and after 5 penalties each the score was 4-4. Dom Kent converted Wood’s sixth and with Wright saving from Finn Rees Wood went through.
Shortwood: Wright, Williams, Price (King T 83), King E, Tryner, Whelan, Gardner, Kent, Gayner (Bradshaw 66), Martin (Byrnes 83), Payne (Smith 83)
MOM – Joe Wright