UHL Hellenic League
Shortwood 1 Long Crendon 2
By Jim Cunneen
This was a real end of season performance from Shortwood on Saturday as they hardly got going and were lucky the level of defeat was not higher.
The one positive note was that top scorer Luke Soule came off the bench towards the end as he returns to fitness after his long absence due to injury.
Wood have just one game to play – at Cheltenham Saracens on Monday.
Long Crendon attacked from the start and Jacob Muir had to make a fine save from Oli and the ball rebounded to Tom Ashworth who blazed the rebound over from close range.
Straight up the other end, and Wilton headed straight at keeper Cullen. From the goal kick Hawkes flew into Nathan Marks and appeared to elbow him and Marks needed lengthy treatment.
Earle almost put Kieran Marks in and Graul fired across Muir’s goal in an action packed opening.
Marks fired wide and Wilton had a shot deflected to the keeper before Nathan Marks header drifted wide. Long Crendon took the lead after 27 minute. A long clearance was misjudged and Oli ran on to shoot past Muir. Muir then made a fine double save from Ashworth and Graul missed his kick when presented with an open goal.
Before the break, Wood were awarded a free-kick deep in their own half and as everyone lined up in the Crendon half the assistant drew the referee’s attention to the fact that a Wood player was kicked from behind but the official deemed it worthy of a yellow card.
Wood were little better in the second half and the second goal came after 66 minutes. Long Crendon broke at speed from their own half and Graul fired a fine shot across Muir into the far corner. Hawkes then hit Muir’s post.
In the 88th minute, Soule at full-stretch, almost connected with a low cross before, deep in added time, Kieran Marks’ high cross drifted over Cullen into the far corner to give Wood a consolation goal
Shortwood: Muir, Marks K, Barrett (Peyton 45), Eakers (Soule 80), Marks N (Tryner 60) Tunnicliff, Minnican, Tosdevine (Colliver 84), Wilton (Odia Coly 69), Bowes, Earle
