Cheltenham Youth Floodlit League
Shortwood U18s 7
TDMS Evesham 2
By Jim Cunneen
Striker Dan Wright bagged a hat-trick as Shortwood U18s turned in a magnificent second-half performance which left manager Simon Freeman delighted as they overpowered TDMS Evesham in their first home league game of the season.
The passing of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was marked by a poignant and impeccably observed one minute’s silence as the sun set over the picturesque Meadowbank ground.
Wood attacked from the start and put TDMS defence under a lot of pressure but were unable to make it count and were made to pay when TDMS broke at speed to shoot past Harris.
This spurred Wood on and Dan Wright levelled and Alex Courtney put the Nailsworth side in front on the half-hour.
Wood continued to miss chances and although apparently in control TDMS broke away to score again after 51 minutes.
On the hour, Wright played a low free-kick into the box and Toby Colliver ran through from the edge of the box to knock the ball into the corner. It was all Wood now and it was no surprise when they scored the fourth– but the manner of the goal was special. Miquel Odia – Coley picked the ball up and from 25
yards out curled a delightful shot across the keeper into the top corner.
With 10 minutes to go, Wright ran through to net his second and then completed his hat-trick five minutes from time.
There was still time for a seventh and Odia – Coley completed the scoring with another cracking first-time shot.
Shortwood U18s: Ollie Elliott, Freddie Fisher, Nathan Curry, Alex Courtney, Toby Colliver ©, Will Davis, Tom Williams, Joe Ward, Callum Freeman, Dan Wright, Fraser Hankins, Harvey Nightingale, Charlie Anderson, Ben Farrell, Miquel Odia – Coley.
