Clanfield 1 – Shortwood United 1
By Jim Cunneen
UHL Hellenic League Division 1
Shortwood United began the Peter Beadle era with a hard-earned point at Clanfield despite several absentees.
Battling a strong end-to-end wind, both sides found it difficult to settle into rhythm, but Wood’s effort and organisation stood out.
New signing Cameron Blacker made an assured debut after joining from Slimbridge, while Jai Underwood, making his first start of the season, impressed with a series of dangerous set pieces.
Wood had the better of the first half despite playing into the wind. Underwood forced the home keeper into a save from a free kick, and Bradshaw, Williams, and Whelan all missed good chances. At the back, Wood looked solid and largely untroubled.
They took a deserved lead nine minutes after the break in bizarre fashion — a long ball from Joe Wright was headed powerfully into his own net by Clanfield defender Sanchez, leaving his goalkeeper stranded. Gardner almost doubled the lead with a curling effort that was tipped around the post, but Clanfield fought back late on and equalised through Hunte, who drove a low shot across goal into the bottom corner.
Wood pushed for a winner in the final minutes but couldn’t find a breakthrough. A solid performance nonetheless and a positive start for Beadle and new assistant Jamie Underwood.
Shortwood United: Wright, Blacker (Price), Royer (Colliver), King E, Tryner, Whelan, Williams (Mulraney), Underwood (Adichareh), Bradshaw, Martin, Gardner (Afriyie)
