Shortwood 0 Stonehouse 1 – UHL Hellenic League Division 1
Jorell Sanniola’s last-gasp strike gave Stonehouse the derby day bragging rights over Shortwood, writes Jim Cunneen.
Shortwood created enough chances to have won this game comfortably but a combination of the woodwork and poor finishing proved their downfall.
Wood had two good chances with Dom Kent firing over and then Smith, intercepting a poor cross field ball, shot too close to keeper Lammon.
Stonehouse forced two corners before Jack Gardner, who was a constant pain in the Stonehouse side, shot just over. Gardner then got the ball stuck in his feet in front of goal after a superb low cross from Ben Jaggers.
Lammon came out at the feet of Jaggers and then Gardner ran on to a pin- point through ball from Finlay Byrnes but saw his shot rebound off the post.
Former Shortwood striker Luke Soule forced Wright into an excellent save in a rare threat before Kent fired over again and somehow the game remained scoreless at the break.
The theme continued in the second half with Wood pouring forward and their luck continued to elude them as Gardner smacked the ball against the bar from 20 yards.
In the last 10 minutes, Stonehouse came close twice as a warning to Wood and then with just five minutes to go the inevitable happened. Sanniola burst through and shot across Wright into the corner – a terrific goal.
Even then Wood had a great chance to level – Byrnes sent over a low cross which found Bradshaw unmarked at the far post but somehow his effort drifted wide of the far post leaving Stonehouse to celebrate an unexpected three points.
Star Player: Jack Gardner
