Hellenic League Division One
Shortwood 5 Littleton 0
Luke Soule smashed a hat-trick as Shortwood turned on a five-star performance, writes Jim Cuneen.
It started well for Shortwood and Payne had an early effort ruled out for offside. With Byrnes pinging delightful cross-field passes and through balls throughout, Wood constantly looked dangerous and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 14 minutes. Soule slid in for a low cross and although keeper Richards blocked it Earle was on hand to slam in the rebound.
Richards then saved from Earle with his feet and Rhodes smacked the bar as Wood threatened to run amok.
Encouraged by the fact Wood hadn’t added to the score, Littleton started to play and Wilkes fired wide and then touched wide from only 6 yards.
Wood regained their composure in the last few minutes of the first half. Earle also hit the bar, Payne shot across goal and Rhodes had a goal-bound shot blocked.
Wood’s nerves were settled within a minute of the restart. Tunnicliffe found Barrett down the left flank and his cross was headed back across the keeper by Soule for a fine goal. Wood took over entirely and Littleton were forced to try and hit Wood on the break.
Payne forced Richards to save and then the keeper made a fine save to deny Soule after good work from Gilson – Clarke.
With 11 minutes to go, Aboullil saw red for fouling Gilson- Clarke as he ran through.
On 84 minutes Soule intercepted a bad back pass and made the finish look
easy and then just 2 minutes later Byrnes put Gilson – Clarke in who shot into the far corner for 4-0. Still Wood were not finished – in added time Keiran Marks put Soule in one on one with Richards and the striker completed his hat-trick.
Meanwhile, Shortwood Reserves picked up an excellent win at high-flying Pershore Development, winning 2-1 through goals for Lennon Lewis and Scott Evanson.
Shortwood: Muir, Marks, Barrett (Harper – Emerson 82), Byrnes, Tryner, Tunnicliff, Payne (Eakers 83), Pepa (Tosdevine 84), Soule, Rhodes (Peyton 88), Earle (Gilson – Clarke 69)
Star Player: Luke Soule for his hat-trick and FinByrnes for a complete midfield display.
