SAM Collier was gutted that his players failed to give themselves a chance to hand last season’s FA Cup giant-killers Shortwood United a taste of their own medicine.

Gloucestershire outfit Shortwood made it all the way to the first-round proper of the famous cup last year, with their stunning run culminating in a televised clash with League One Port Vale, but Shrivenham couldn’t pull off an upset of their own as they hosted the Southern League men last weekend.

Collier’s side were hammered 6-1 at home and the Barrington Park manager says that Shrivenham simply weren’t at the races.

“If you have five or six lads that aren’t performing, you might get away with it against a Hellenic League side – against a team from a higher level, you’re going to get punished,” said Collier.

“We were really poor. That was our worst performance of the season and we definitely didn’t deserve anything from the game.

“They scored an absolute wonder-goal and that killed us. We got in at 2-0 and thought ‘maybe we’ll be able to get back into it’ but that didn’t happen.

“They did score three times in the last seven minutes, so 6-1 is a bit harsh on us, but it’s still really disappointing.

“Unfortunately, we’re out of the cup now but we’ve got another opportunity to bring some money in to the club next weekend in the FA Vase.”

Lewis Sommers’ spectacular volley opened up Shortwood’s account before Adam Moody headed home to make it 2-0 to the visitors.

Will Morford netted United’s third before Matty Bennett reduced the deficit as he nodded in at the near post.

The Shrivenham scorer’s namesake Matt Bennett notched with a header of his own to make it 4-1 before Marley Thomas and Morford, firing home from the penalty spot after he was tripped in the area, struck to round off the rout.

Elsewhere, Highworth Town also suffered an unceremonious exit from the preliminary round as they were beaten 4-0 at Blackfield & Langley.

Jamie Musselwhite scored either side of half-time to put the Wessex League hosts in control of the tie before Danny Young and Danilo Cadete got their names on the scoresheet to see off John Fisher’s men in Hampshire.