Shortwood 2 Calne Town 0 – Unisport Hellenic League Division 1
Shortwood boss Dan Gillespie lauded the impact of teenage striker Dan Wright as his brace maintained the Nailsworth club’s bright start to the embryonic season.
Wright has grabbed his opportunity with both feet – making it three goals in two games. A graduate of the youth team and nurtured by last season’s youth coach Simon Freeman, leaving Gillespie delighted: “Dan Wright has come in and been fantastic. He’s going to University in September, so was maybe out my thoughts a little, however he’s given us his availability in the interim and been brilliant.”
Gillespie was pleased to see his side gain back-to-back victories: “It was a really polished performance from us.
“In the first half we dominated the ball without really creating too many opportunities for the first 30 minutes.
“I felt for the last 15 minutes of the first half we start to create chances, some of our inter-play was excellent and we were unlucky to not score just before half-time.
“The second half, started how we finished the first, so it was important we took our chance when it came along. It’s really pleasing to get a clean sheet, Joe Tryner was excellent for us, but as with Saturday everyone contributed to the performance.”
Earlier, Calne, who beat Wood three times last season, forced two early corners and Jack Smith missed a great chance for them after only 4 minutes.
Wood grew into the game and their possession play was excellent and it was only the final pass that was lacking.
Molyneux almost put Wright in and then forced keeper Simpkins to save and then the keeper also made a fine stop to keep out a pile driver from Byrnes.
Just before the break, Molyneux clipped the top of the Calne bar and Smith just failed to control a ball into his feet.
Wood took the lead just four minutes into the second half. A good move ended with Dobbins finding Wright, who turned and passed the ball into the only part of the goal uncovered.
Wright came close again before Calne changed their formation and started to press forward.
Wood continued to look dangerous on the break, Sabally shot too high after a good run and Smith had a goal bound effort somehow blocked for a corner. Byrnes sent the corner over, the ball pinballed around the six-yard box and Wright stabbed the ball home to wrap up the points.
Shortwood travel to Malmesbury on Saturday and Gillespie is expecting a tough test, with Ryan Dobbins an Ben Sluman suspended, Martin Smith unavailable and Alex Gyner and kieron Mace doubtful.
Gillespie said: “Saturday, will be another hard game. This league is much tougher than it has been previously. We go to Malmesbury with key suspensions and unavailability problems, so we challenge our squad depth and see if we can get a positive result.”
Shortwood: Thomas, Loveridge, Royer, Byrnes, Tryner, Lyons, Molyneux, Kent (Price 78), Dobbins (Sabally 69), Smith, Wright, (Bowes 88)
Star Player: Joe Tryner