Hellenic League Division 1
Tytherington Rocks 2
Shortwood 1
Shortwood crashed to their fifth defeat on the spin, writes Jim Cunneen.
Wood will wonder how they managed to lose the game given the pressure they created in the second half. Goalkeeper Joe Wright was missing following dental work and Wood welcomed back Ollie Elliott in goal after injury.
It was 14 minutes before either side created an opening and home keeper Dykes produced a fine one handed save to keep out a strong shot from Jack Gardner.
With 17 minutes gone Rocks forced a corner and when it came over Head had a free header at the far post and knocked the ball across and Waterman scrambled the ball home. Elliott made a good save to deny Head and Whelan headed a free-kick from Byrnes.
Joe Tryner came on for Lyons at the break, following his injury at Long Crendon.
After 49 minutes Wood levelled after a rare cohesive move. Wood moved the ball forward from the back and when Smith crossed low Kent, arriving on the edge of the box, placed a measured shot inside the post. King made a fine run and went close before Rocks regained the lead just after the hour. This time a free-kick was their undoing. When the ball came across it was again headed across goal and Head netted from six yards.
Tryner was sinbinned for protesting he had been held down. Liam Barrett was lucky to only see yellow for a poor challenge on Kent and Wood pressed and pressed.
Gayner wriggled through and shot over Wood had three shots in quick succession which Tytherington somehow blocked and Wood forced a succession of corners but all to no avail and Rocks joy at the final whistle was clear.
Shortwood: Elliott, Price, King, Byrnes, Lyons (Tryner 45), Whelan, Gardner, Kent, Simmonds (Martin 79), Smith, Gayner D
