Moreton Rangers 0 Shortwood 6
Unisport Hellenic League Division 1
By Jim Cunneen
Shortwood United hit Moreton Rangers for six to maintain their flying start to the season, writes Jim Cunneen.
This was a complete performance from a Wood side that dominated totally from start to finish. It is doubtful whether keeper Billy Thomas will keep an easier clean sheet all season such was Wood’s total performance and the only surprise was that it took them until the 38th minute to score.
The man of the match panel could not pick a star player amongst the plethora of excellent players but a delighted Wood boss Dan Gillespie singled out Fin Byrnes for his superb distribution.
Wood finally scored after 38 minutes. Byrnes’ corner was met by Joe Tryner’s head and Ryan Dobbins deflected his header in.
Tryner had a header turned over from another Byrnes corner and when Byrnes took that subsequent corner the ball somehow ended up in the Moreton net. A real mess of a goal but sufficient to put Wood 2-0 up at the break.
Wood really turned on the style in the second half.
After only 3 minutes, Wood scored an early contender for team goal of the season. Wood built from the back, Byrnes delightful through ball found Gayner who turned his defender and cut the ball back across the edge of the area. Smith stepped over the ball bamboozling the defence and Dom Kent’s low shot was perfect.
Dobbins square ball to Dan Gayner set the forward free to run through and finish for 4-0 and with the game won the Wood management rang the changes. Freeman made a fine double save to deny Smith and Dobbins before Sabally’s long throw was only partially cleared to Dan Gayner who shot home through a ruck of players. Dobbins went close and Sluman forced Freeman to save.
Finally, Ryley Mace found space down the left and his cross was headed home by Dobbins to complete the rout.
Wood continue their hectic programme with a trip to Chipping Sodbury on Tuesday, 7.45pm.
Jordan Molyneux won the Shortwood player of the month for August.
Shortwood: Thomas, Loveridge (Sabally 57), Royer (Mace K 71), Byrnes, Tryner, Mace K, Molyneux (Price 62), Kent, Dobbins, Smith (Bowes 75), Gayner D (Sluman 65)
Star Player: Fin Byrnes