By Jim Cunneen
UHL Hellenic League
Long Crendon 1
Shortwood 1
Shortwood conceded the most careless of goals as they drew 1-1 at Oxford City’s ground on Saturday against Long Crendon.
Wood were by far the better side in a first half they completely dominated and the game could have been out of Long Crendon’s reach by halftime.
The second half was a different story, however, and Wood lost their shape and rhythm. But they will consider this two points dropped rather than
one point gained.
Wood certainly made a bright start and Chris Earle had a goal-bound shot blocked after good work from Rhodes and Payne. Marks and Earle combined well and Earle’s low cross was just whipped off Soule’s foot as he was about to finish.
The pressure from Wood was incessant and the pressure paid off after 22 minutes when Eakers’ superb through ball put Earle in and he ran on before shooting low into the corner.
Byrnes and Rhodes fired just over and Long Crendon flickered long enough for Minnican to head a corner off the line.
With Wood so dominant other chances came and Payne was unlucky with a chip that went narrowly wide.
Just before the break, Payne was inches wide with a low shot.
Long Crendon were much brighter and although they had a player sin-binned for dissent they started to press Wood more without looking particularly dangerous before they levelled on the hour.
Wood like to play the ball out from the back but they caused themselves problems when they were closed down and the pass to keeper Muir was short and Muir was robbed leaving Ashworth the simple task of rolling the ball into the empty net.
Crendon then had a penalty appeal waved away and George Ashworth shot weakly straight at Muir.
In the last 10 minutes Tryner, making his 100th appearance for Wood, headed wide from close range, Rhodes had a shot blocked and in the dying seconds a Payne cross shot faded inches wide but the damage was done and a point was their only reward.
Shortwood: Muir, Minnican (Barrett 83), Marks, Pepa, Tryner, Byrnes, Payne, Rhodes, Soule, Eakers (Gibson – Clarke 66), Earle (Lewis 84)
Star man: Keiran Marks
Shortwood Reserves 1-1 against unbeaten Tuffley Rovers Devs, Miquel Coly scored for the Wood.
