Shortwood 3 Taverners 1 – John Hannis Memorial Trophy
Shortwood retained the John Hannis Trophy on Saturday thanks to two late goals at Meadowbank on Saturday, writes Jim Cunneen.
The scoreline was a little harsh on a spirited Taverners side who played with immense spirit and composure and contributed fully to an entertaining afternoon and made a strong Wood side fight to the end.
The weather was more akin to October than July which was a real shame as the club had their family day but the weather did not ruin the game.
Dom Kent had a shot deflected wide before Taverners took the lead after 12 minutes. A corner to the far post was bundled home by Harley Hudd. Although Wood enjoyed the majority of possession Tavs looked dangerous as they went forward and had a shot deflected inches wide on the half hour. Molyneux and Tryner went close for the Wood before Bowes fired into the side netting. Tavs continued to defend well and a lot of Wood’s play was sloppy.
Wood were level within 2 minutes of the restart. Dobbins’ cross was met with an overhead kick by Martin Smith that found the corner.
Wood were much more lively and the Tavs keeper made a superb point blank save to deny Smith and Dan Wright fired a low cross across the front of goal. As the game opened up Tavs had a shot across the goal and Gilson – Clarke had a flick cleared off the line. Lyons hit the post with a header before Ben Sluman drove a low shot into the bottom corner in the 90th minute.
The 2-1 score line would have been about right but in added time Martin Smith powered an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 25 yards to seal the win.
Shortwood: Billy Thomas, Alex Freeman, Brad Loveridge, Shay Lyons, Joe Tryner, Ethan Royer, Kieron Mace, Dom Kent, Fin Byrnes, Martin Smith, Ryan Dobbins, Ollie Price, Dan Carnegie, Keegan Bowes, Jordan Molyneux, Marcus Foxwell, Ben Sluman, Ethan Gilson – Clarke, Dan Wright
