Shortwood 1 Bewdley Town 2 – UHL Hellenic League Division 1
Peter Beadle’s Shortwood fell to defeat against high-flying Bewdley, writes Harry Ash.
Wood put up a spirited fight, the hosts can have few complaints about the final result given the balance of play.
Alfie Bradshaw came close to giving Wood the perfect start, attempting to curl a shot over Kai Lloyd into the far corner with less than a minute played, but it floated just wide.
Bewdley’s forward line quickly started to prove a threat, though. Kai Del Kiffin’s flicked header sailed just over; Jake Hollylee was denied by Joe Wright before Sam Austin clattered the crossbar with the follow-up.
Despite this pressure, Wood took the lead themselves after twenty-five minutes. Jai Underwood’s free kick wasn’t cleared, Bradshaw met it with a looping header which was clawed out by Lloyd, but Elliot King was on hand to nod home from close range.
Bewdley chased an equaliser for the rest of the half, the stand out moment coming when Hollylee once again forced Wright into a great save, with Fin Keating clearing as it trickled goalwards.
Keating nearly made himself a hero at the other end at the close of the half. Whelan headed Jai Underwood’s corner across goal and Keating connected brilliantly with an overhead kick, forcing Lloyd into an excellent reaction stop.
It took the visitors less than two minutes after the restart to level things up. Del Kiffin won the aerial duel following Lloyd’s kick, Elliott Lees helped it onto Hollylee, who controlled and volleyed into the top corner without the ball bouncing, a truly outstanding piece of play.
Lees turned from provider to scorer just a few minutes later, completing the swift turn around by racing in behind Keating and finishing low past Wright.
Wood really struggled to assert themselves in the second half, but a late flurry of pressure did at least give hope for an equaliser. The best chance fell to Bradshaw, after Ollie Price’s shot was blocked he struck on the turn, but it flashed wide of the far post.
Shortwood will be looking to bounce back when they host Carterton next Saturday.
Shortwood: Wright, Blacker (Price), White, King E, Keating, Whelan, Cronin (Martin), Underwood, Bradshaw, Kent, Gardner (Afriyie)
