Shortwood 2 Wantage 5 – UHL Hellenic League Division 1
Shortwood fell to a heavy 2–5 defeat at Meadowbank on Saturday, with defensive errors proving costly against Wantage, writes Jim Cunneen.
Manager Marcus Foxwell admitted afterwards: “Too many individual errors cost us and we can’t give teams head starts. It was suicidal defending.”
Wantage started strongly, with Wright forced into an early save from Robertson before Jack Alexander headed home unmarked from a 10th-minute corner. Things went from bad to worse on 18 minutes when Wright’s clearance fell straight to Luke Whelan, who lofted the ball into an empty net.
Although Wood showed flashes going forward, Whelan struck again in the 26th minute, given too much time to shoot, with his effort squirming under Wright for 0–3. The hosts pulled one back when Travis Cooke set up Jack Gardner to fire across Thomas into the far corner, and Bradshaw went close from distance as Wood ended the half on top.
The hosts looked revitalised after the break and grabbed another goal on 54 minutes. Alfie Bradshaw chased a long ball and, after hesitation between Alexander and keeper Thomas, Gardner tapped in for 2–3. But just as Wood looked back in contention, they handed Wantage a fourth—misplaying a free kick straight to Robertson, who ran through to score on 59 minutes.
Wright denied Olly Whelan with a smart save, but Wantage killed the game off with 20 minutes remaining as Shortwood again failed to clear a corner, allowing Alexander to smash in via the underside of the bar.
Foxwell’s side now head to Ludlow next Saturday, desperate for a result to restore confidence.
Shortwood: Wright, Williams (Underwood), T. King (Pryce), E. King, Whelan, Colliver (Martin), Cronin (Muhid), Kent, Bradshaw, Cooke, Gardner.
