UHL Hellenic League
Hartpury Uni 0 Shortwood 1
Chris Earle’s late penalty preserved table-topping Shortwood United’s unbeaten start to the season at much-fancied Hartpury University, writes Jim Cunneen.
Wood made a bright start and an Earle cross was inches too high for Luke Soule and then the wide man was inches wide with a shot. After 17 minutes Ellis – Clark drove a powerful shot straight at Muir.
Both sides correctly saw red after 23 minutes. Owen Giles saw a straight red for an extremely high challenge and Ben Tunnicliff also red for reacting.
Wood certainly reorganised the better after the dismissals and Hartpury found great difficulty creating any real chances. Harper – Emerson and Earle created a chance for Soule whose header was blocked and then Harper – Emerson, man of the match for the second game running, had a strong shot deflected just past the far post.
In the second half Harper – Emerson surged down the right and although he was fouled the referee played advantage as the ball found Wilton whose low cross almost put Soule in. That was Wilton’s last involvement as he limped from the field with a hamstring injury. The dangerous Keegan Bowes replaced him.
Just on the hour, a great cross found Robinson at the far post but the Hartpury player was well wide with his effort.
Earle hit a shot too close to the keeper before Wood took the lead with 10 minutes to go. Rhodes hit a powerful shot and the keeper spilled it, as Soule went for the rebound the keeper brought him down and Earle dispatched the penalty. Bowes was unlucky with a header that drifted wide and ex Wood man Josh Beadle fired over for the hosts.
Wood take on Calne Town at Meadowbank next Saturday in the first round of the FA Vase.
Shortwood: Muir, Harper – Emerson, Barrett, Tunnicliff, Tryner, Byrnes, Wilton (Bowes 52), Tosdevine (Peyton 89) Soule, Rhodes, Earle
Star man: Max Harper – Emerson
