Trowbridge reach quarter finals in floodlit cup.
Trowbridge moved into the Quarter Final of the floodlit cup, repeating their earlier success by removing a premier division side on penalties. The opening minutes saw Trowbridge pile on the pressure. The first opportunity fell to Dave Percival but his shot was saved when the goalkeeper stretched above his head to catch the ball. The Shortwood keeper was in good form as he denied both Dave Mitchell and Waleed Bakali to concede two corners still within the first 15 minutes. One of these corners was headed off the line. Trowbridge were almost made to pay for not taking their chances as the first half wore on. In the 27th minute Gary Marshall skied his shot over the bar for Shortwood. Four minutes before half time, Adam Nunn ran onto a ball a Dave Percival through ball and hit a fierce shot that when straight into the chest of the Shortwood goalkeeper and he held on well. Just before the break, it looked as if Shortwood had taken the lead. A well-worked move down the right produced a good cross that was put into the net by Mike Lees. However, the assistant referee adjudged that a hand had been used and the goal was disallowed. Trowbridge started well again in the second half, Rick Trott with a chance in the 56th minute. Gavin Eyre also had a shot saved by on the hour. Seven minutes later Dave Percival sprung the offside trap and ran through to give Trowbridge the lead with a good low finish past the goalkeeper. Shortly after the goal both teams went down to ten men. Dave Mitchell for Trowbridge & Craig Roberts for Shortwood were both unfortunate to be dismissed for violent conduct. This incident upset the Trowbridge flow and Shortwood looked dangerous as they looked for the equaliser, which came after 77 minutes. John Dalton with a finish from close range when the ball was played in from the left. Both teams had chances to score the final minutes but it was not to be. Neither side could break the deadlock during extra time so the lottery of penalties had to be the decider. The Shortwood goalkeeper who was man of the match in normal play continued his form by saving the first spot kick taken by Adam Nunn. However, Dalton put his kick over the bar and the normal compliment of penalties ended 4-4. Into sudden death it went to 5-5, Gordon Saunderson then powered his penalty into the roof of the net to make it 6-5 to Trowbridge. Craig Guthrie was feeling a bit rough having been caught in the face during the match but it didn't stop him making a fine save to win the match for Trowbridge. He dived to his left and pushed out Dan Price's kick to set up a quarterfinal tie with Fairford Town.
Report by Robin Sims
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