Letcombe's second consecutive trip to Gloucestershire ended in a 3-1 defeat against an improving Shortwood United Reserves who have recovered from a slow start to the season.

With Adam Claydon again in temporary charge of the team, we were missing Andy Goodchild and Dan Hoskin from the 5-0 defeat at Lydney. Jon Hanson is still recovering from the injury he sustained against North Leigh and Dan Courtney was rested as he tries to beat a troublesome leg injury that forced him to be substituted at Lydney. Pre-match preparations were disrupted when Calum Pryce and Howard Hawkins, travelling to the ground together had car problems en route. This meant both had to be named as substitutes.

We welcomed back captain Tom Stone and were pleased to have Tom Broad available after work commitments have kept him out of the last few weeks. With Pryce and Hawkins delayed, the team was reshuffled with Harry Broad starting alongside his brother, Mark Smith re-called from the Reserves at Left-Back and Matt Pill having to play as an emergency centre forward as we reverted to the 4-5-1 system.

The first 20 minutes were our poorest of the game, perhaps a hangover from the defeat at Lydney and we were 2-0 down with the game only just underway.

Shortwood's first came on 10 minutes when Luke Bennyworth fired home a 20 yard bullet strike that gave Shapland no chance. We were guilty of not tracking our men and allowing too much space for the chance to be taken. The second arrived just two minutes later when Josh Jones easily converted a right wing cross.

As half time approached we started to work some opportunities and re-gain some composure. Matt Pill saw an effort from inside the box well saved by home goalkeeper Ashton Herbert and Pill also hit the crossbar after good work from Alex Thomas. Thomas was proving a threat on the left-hand side as the half went on and the midfield were trying to get him on the ball wherever possible. Matt Clark was also trying to get forward from right-back as we tried to grab a goal back.

At half time the players were asked to give more to the cause and try and get back into the game - and to their credit they did just that.

We introduced Calum Pryce from our substitutes bench on 55 minutes with the hope that his pace would create problems for the home defence, and to give us more options in the opposition half. As a result of the reshuffle that saw Matt Clark replaced, Tom Broad went to right-back.

Pryce quickly got involved and got on the end of an outstanding Luke Stone through ball and was unfortunate to lose his footing as he was about to shoot.

It was disappointing that we conceded a third goal when Bennyworth claimed his second of the match driving the ball into the corner of Shapland's net, but we did reduce arrears 19 minutes from time with the goal of the game. It was a fine move that started from the back with Luke Stone and Jack Hamblin releasing Adam Claydon through the middle, Claydon in turn found Alex Thomas in space on the right. Thomas' early front post cross was cleverly flicked back by Tom Stone to set up Calum Pryce who gratefully drove the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-1.

The closing stages of the game were very open with chances at either end. Howard Hawkins, again impressing at left-back, kicked one off the line and Shapland saved well to deny Shortwood a fourth late on. In the last minute Tom Stone met Adam Claydon's corner on the edge of the box and was unlucky to see his volley clip the top of the crossbar.

We were un-done by that slow start to the game and must learn the lessons as we move forward. The squad was slightly stretched for this game and the options will increase over the coming weeks. Harry Broad certainly did enough to suggest he could stay involved with the first team and that will send a positive message to a number of the youngsters currently playing for the reserves. Mark Smith also reminded the first team management about his ability with a solid display.

With no first team match scheduled for next weekend, David Richardson will return for the Purton away game on 20th December. He will be calling on the players to start the match quicker and sharper and as we have shown in recent weeks, when we do that, teams find it hard to break us down. With the possibility of new players being added to the squad, the next few weeks should be interesting.

Letcombe: 1. Andy Shapland, 2. Matt Clark (12. Calum Pryce 55), 3. Mark Smith (14. Howard Hawkins 70), 4. Jack Hamblin, 5. Luke Stone, 6. Tom Broad, 7. Tom Stone (c), 8. Adam Claydon, 9. Matt Pill, 10. Alex Thomas, 11. Harry Broad