SHORTWOOD United advanced to the fifth round of the Jackie Bell KO football competition following a 2-1 victory over Whitfield Town at the Tinson Pen playfield yesterday.
Devon Bessick headed in a Deane Shepherd cross at the near post in the 23rd minute to give Shortwood a 1-0 lead at halftime.
The winners went further ahead ten minutes after the break. Bessick, who had a very good match, ran wide on the left and crossed to the penalty spot where Dave Hewitt controlled well before slamming into the roof of the net from close in.
Syd Barlett campaigners Whitfield Town dominated the second half for long periods but were let down by poor finishing. Captain Richard Munroe lifted their hopes in the 66th minute with a fine solo effort to reduce the deficit but Shortwood, last season's beaten Major League finalists, held on for the win.
Shortwood's coach Chris Ziadie said his team should have put away the weak Whitfield Town from early.
"I think we had a team which was not as difficult as some of the teams we have faced in the Major League. We should have put them away much earlier but we allowed them back into the game and we were fortunate to hang on in the last ten minutes," Ziadie said.
