Gloucestreshire FA Senior Cup

Shortwood United 2 Slimbridge 1

THE SECOND close encounter between these sides in just over a week saw Shortwood again hold the bragging rights over their rivals to progress in the GFA Senior Cup.

After Marley Thomas had gone close with two minutes on the clock, Shortwood took the lead on five - Sam Ockwell was allowed too much room in the Slimbridge box, and converted the first corner of the game to put the hosts into the lead.

Slimbridge looked dangerous, and Nathan Payne was just off target before his probing cross somehow eluded Sean Lawson on it’s way across the Shortwood box.

The visitors continued to play some lovely football, but were unable to convert their chances - Payne brought a good save from Shortwood Keeper Harry Pickering, and Rich Thwaite headed just over from a corner as the Swans pressed.

Just on half time, Henry Birkett put the sides level with a 35 yard effort that left Pickering no chance to level things up.

Six minutes into the second period, Shortwood were back in front - the ball was cleared to Adam price on the edge of the Slimbridge box, and again, he was allowed far too much time to pick his spot and place the ball past Marcus Beauchamp.

The second half was a lot scrappier affair, and some very keenly contested tackles saw temperatures rise - Thomas was too high after good work from Max Harper-Emerson, before Will Hawes brought a good save from Beauchamp at the other end.

On 84 minutes, Thomas was felled by Ryan Thwaite as he broke through on goal, and from the resulting free kick, Thomas beat Pickering all ends up, only to see his effort bounce back off the Shortwood post and into play where it was cleared, and the home side hung on to record the victory.

Slimbridge are on the road again on Saturday, when they travel to Bath to take on Larkhall Athletic (3pm)

Team: Beauchamp, Nathan Payne, Harper-Emerson (Turl 70), Thwaite, Squires, Pring (Stokes 63), Luke Payne (Hoyle 63), Twyman, Lawson, Birkett, Thomas

Supporters Man of the Match: Sean Lawson