Shots progressed into the third round of the Hampshire Senior Cup with a convincing win over Wessex League Romsey Town. Head of Youth Tim Coe took charge of a Shots team entirely comprised of youth team players, including six first years, four of whom had not previously represented the Reserves. Defensive regular Calum Nimmo missed the match, on crutches following a training injury, whilst Reece Connolly was on the bench following his 20 minute appearance for the First Team at Hereford the previous evening.
On a rain lashed night Carlton Cox gave an early indication of Shots' attacking intentions with a ferocious drive which flashed narrowly wide. Romsey came close to opening the scoring after James Scott's foul presented the visitors with a free kick in a useful position. The ball was headed across goal with Ryan Long's snapshot clipping the post.
But it was the Shots who took the lead after seven minutes; Josh Pearson disposed Ross Gregory wide on the right, and then attacked the goal flighting a glorious curled shot with his left foot beyond Hookway's stretch and off the far post for 1-0.
Ninety seconds later Shots were two up. Carlton Cox curled an inswinging cross from the left, Adam Mekki evaded his marker and from the six-yard line calmly directed his header downwards and into the net.
For the full match report, click on the link below:
http://www.theshots.co.uk/NewsPage.ink?nid=31758