NEWENT Town were left to rue missed opportunities as they fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against Shortwood United in the UHL Supplementary Cup final on Sunday, March 29.

The Daffodils made the trip to the KDG Stadium, home of Hereford Pegasus, aiming to bring silverware back to Newent, but despite a bright response after falling behind, they were unable to overturn a determined Shortwood side.

Managerial selection saw Leyton Joyce included in the line-up, with George Brand, Dylan Hart and Stanley Asomugha also featuring. Max Poidevin, Tiago Ribeiro, Kyle Taylor and Connor Wagstaff all started, alongside Cian Thomas, William Sheehan, Jaber Ahmed and Samuel Judge, with Newent naming a strong starting eleven for the final.

Newent started on the front foot, showing intent in the early stages, but it was Shortwood who struck first after 11 minutes. A well-worked move saw the ball played into the area, and despite defensive pressure, it was eventually turned home to give their opponents the lead.

The Daffs’ response was immediate and emphatic. Just three minutes later, Hart stepped up to level the scores, finishing confidently to spark celebrations among the Newent contingent and restore belief.

With momentum briefly on their side, Newent pushed forward in search of a second, However, clear-cut chances proved hard to come by against a disciplined Shortwood defence, who were playing their seventh game in just over a fortnight.

After the break, the game remained finely poised, but it was Shortwood who found the decisive moment. Around five minutes into the second half, a loose ball in the area fell kindly, allowing their forward to react quickest and fire home what proved to be the winner.

From that point, Newent were forced to chase the game while fresh legs were introduced as the Daffs searched for a route back into the contest.

Despite their efforts, chances remained limited, with Shortwood managing the game effectively and restricting Newent to few clear sights of goal. The Daffs’ best opportunity came late on from a set piece, as a free-kick delivery caused problems in the box, only for the chance to be halted by an offside flag.

As the final whistle sounded, it was Shortwood who celebrated ending their long wait for silverware, while Newent were left to reflect on a game in which fine margins ultimately proved decisive.

For Newent, there were still positives to take, particularly in their resilience and ability to respond quickly to going behind. Hart’s equaliser highlighted their attacking threat, while the squad’s overall effort ensured they remained competitive throughout.

Newent will now quickly turn their attention back to league action as they continue their push for a Hellenic League Division One playoff place. Despite the disappointment of missing out on silverware, the Daffodils remain well placed to build momentum from their cup run as they look ahead to the remainder of the campaign.