Littleton 0 Shortwood 5 – UHL Hellenic League
Shortwood delivered a post-Christmas five-star performance to keep up their promotion push, writes Jim Cunneen.
The Nailsworth side made the perfect start and were 2-0 up after only 7 minutes. Chris Earle got away down the right and his low cross was met perfectly at the far post by Jake Rhodes who side-footed the ball home. Less than two minutes later Earle fed Kieran Marks and it was Luke Soule’s turn to be the beneficiary as he too side-footed home.
The second half was virtually one-way traffic. Wood continued to create and it was no surprise when they scored their third 10 minutes into the second half. Nathan Payne’s corner stroked home at the far post by Rhodes.
Manager Ian Soule rang the changes with the points in the bag but it made no difference to the Wood flow. Tunnicliff shot straight at Hart, Eakers was narrowly wide, Soule headed over and then Wood scored their overdue fourth after 71. Payne’s low cross caused havoc, Hart pushed the ball away from Soule but only to Earle who shot high into the net from 10 yards.
With 5 minutes to go Soule latched onto a bad back pass rounded the keeper and completed the rout.
Shortwood are at home to Kidlington on Monday, January 2, 3 pm when they play Kidlington in the first game of a very busy and defining month.
Shortwood: Muir, Kieran Marks (Minnican 64), Barrett (Harper – Emerson 67), Tunnicliff, Marks N (Peyton 60), Byrnes (Tosdevine 56), Payne, Rhodes, Soule, Eakers, Earle (Bowes 75)
Star man: Jake Rhodes
