Stroud Sport
FA Vase fifth round: Shortwood United 3 Ashington 0
3:55pm Tuesday 21st February 2012
WHISPER it quietly, but Shortwood United are edging closer to Wembley.
Boss John Evans would take promotion to the Southern League over a day at Wembley, but on this showing a unique double could be achievable after a memorable performance saw them brush aside Northern League Ashington at Meadowbank on Saturday.
The Nailsworth side will now welcome Kent League outfit Herne Bay on Saturday March 3rd for a place in the last four.
Evans was positively ecstatic after watching his cup heroes come out on top.
He said: “We were truly magnificent today - everyone did their jobs and that first 20 minutes was the best we have played since beating Bemerton.
“ I cannot praise my side enough for their work rate and commitment.”
Earlier, former Cheltenham Town legend John Finnigan failed a fitness test, but despite the loss of their midfield general, Wood raced out of the starting blocks and nosed ahead on eight minutes. The outstanding Jake Parrott floated a free-kick to the far post, Alton Axton headed back across goal and former Forest Green midfielder John Cant came in at the far post to head home. Things got even better for Shortwood after 11 minutes. Cant did well to flick the ball to Parrott and his instant through -ball opened up Ashington for Kevin Slack to finish with aplomb.
Slack was at it again when he forced Dryden into a fine double save as Wood went hunting a third goal.
Inevitably, Ashington started to create pressure, and a superb Joey Tustain sliding block curtailed Johnston’s intent.
Ashington started the second half the stronger and forced Wood back, but captain Ash Thomas and his backline gave everything as they restricted Ashington to half-chances.
Wood bagged a killer third on 57 minutes. A flying header from Tim Haddock at the far post met another super Parrott free-kick.
Shortwood were in complete control. Their passing was swift and accurate and a great passing move ended with Matt Bennett firing across goal.
Slack had a shot deflected over and Tustain curled a free- kick inches over. Ashington rallied, but Wood regained the ascendancy. Haddock was narrowly wide from a tight angle, Slack had a shot blocked and Haddock picked up a bad back-pass but pulled his shot wide.
Wood hunted a fourth. Sub Chris Mortlock rounded the keeper but was denied by a last ditch tackle. Ashington almost grabbed an 89th minute consolation when a cross from Mullen rolled along the Wood cross bar, but it was Mortlock who had the last word as his curling shot clipped the outside of the post with Dryden beaten.
SHORTWOOD: King, Coates, Bennett, Axton, Thomas, Parrott, Tustain (Benneyworth 79), Baldwin, Slack (Meredith 83), Cant (Mortlock 64), Haddock.
Subs not used: Pearce, Hoskins.
Attendance: 268.
Star Player: Jake Parrott- Outstanding midfield display. The former Cheltenham Town youth team player had a hand in two goals.
SHORTWOOD look set to face increased travelling costs if proposals to restructure step five go ahead.
The FA’s Mike Appleby conducted a consultation meeting at Yeovil Town’s Huish Park ground on Sunday.
If the plans go ahead, the number of step five leagues will be reduced from 14 to 12 at the start of the 2013-14 season, with Shortwood placed in a Western League, which would combine elements of the Toolstation Western and Uhlsport Hellenic Leagues.
Teams in proposed Western League: Barnstaple Town, Bishop Sutton, Bitton, Bridport, Brislington, Bristol Manor Farm, Cheltenham Saracens, Corsham Town, Fairford Town, Hallen, Highworth Town, Ilfracombe Town, Larkhall Athletic, Longwell Green Sports, Merthyr Town, Odd Down, Radstock Town, Sherborne Town, Shortwood United, Shrivenham, Slimbridge AFC, Street, Wells City and Willand Rovers.