Clanfield ‘85 2 Shortwood 2 – UHL Hellenic League
Shortwood boss Matt Blythe heaped praise on his side as they held league leaders Clanfield in a four-goal thriller, writes Jim Cunneen.
Wood bounced back from a 7-0 home defeat to Worcester Raiders last week to push Clanfield to the wire.
Blythe said: “We showed terrific character to come back from a goal down and this was one my best results! The side carried out our game plan and showed great spirit and commitment.”
Shortwood captain Joe Tryner was a rock at the back and was rewarded when he stabbed home a Hobbs’ corner with 13 minutes gone. Three minutes later Hobbs saw a goal ruled out for offside after Harper-Emerson.
However, Clanfield netted parity after 23 minutes – Oliver, who was a constant threat with his runs, crossed to the far post where Bellenger headed home.
Just after the break, Cheltenham loanee Parsisson made a fine catch from a dangerous Oliver cross and Soule appeared to be felled in the area but the Wood appeals were waived away.
Clanfield took the lead after 76 minutes. The outstanding Oliver broke away and his low cross fell to Shepherd who swept the ball home.
Wood refused to let their heads drop and came back strongly and finally got the break they deserved with 5 minutes to go. Lewis Fogg had caused problems with his long throws and launched another. Haley came but could not gather and the ball fell loose – Soule was the quickest to react and hooked the ball home to spark real celebrations.
Shortwood: Parsisson, Peyton, Nowell (Barrett 60), Tunnicliff, Tryner, Byrnes, Harper – Emerson (Mat Blyth 78), Fogg, Soule, Bowles, Hobbs (Royer 66)
