Abingdon United 3 Shortwood 1 – UHL Hellenic League
By Jim Cunneen
Having played on Good Friday, Shortwood made the trip to Abingdon on Easter Sunday.
Manager Ian Soule did well to put together a side of 16 bodies. A bumper crowd of 358 saw them go down 3-1 in an entertaining affair and they were largely undone by Abingdon forward John Mills who had a fine game and scored an absolute rocket and forced Jacob Muir into two fine saves.
For Wood, Joe Tryner was outstanding at the back and matched Mills for the honours on the day.
Abingdon played to their strengths and played a succession of high balls but Tryner looked untroubled although Shah pinged Muir’s post with an effort.
Just after Eakers streaked through from behind at least two defenders but was wrongly flagged off side when he was clear one-on-one with the keeper.
The game turned with two goals in 3 minutes just before the half-hour.
A cross into the Wood box was headed clear but Mills smacked a superb effort from 25 yards that flew in – and two minutes later Ben Barrett finished off an excellent move. Wood came back into the game but were unable to make their possession count before the break.
Wood were bright in the second half and Earle looked dangerous, but it took a flying save from Muir to tip round a stunning Mills volley after 56 minutes,
Chalmers was perhaps fortunate to only get a yellow card for a bad foul on Bowes as he was clear but Wood pulled a goal back after 76 minutes.
Colliver and Odia Coly played a one two before Colliver found Tosdevine. His low cross found Alex Barrett coming in at the back post to shoot home past Cavanagh.
With 10 minutes to go Mills sent the ball beyond the far post and Downie shot back across Muir to wrap it up but Tosdevine came close with a rising shot in the dying seconds.
Shortwood: Muir, Marks K (Beecham 45), Barrett, Minnican (Colliver 75), Tryner (Davis 83), Marks N, Bowes, Tosdevine, Simmonds (Odia Coly 66), Eakers (Wilton 76), Earle
