Under-strength Shortwood AFC faced an uphill battle at Bewdley Town on Saturday, with key defender Olly Whelan pressed into service as emergency goalkeeper due to a shortage of players, writes Jim Cunneen.
Despite a spirited first-half performance, Marcus Foxwell’s side ultimately ran out of steam, conceding twice after the break to fall 3–1.
Shortwood began brightly, creating a string of early chances. Bowes saw a shot blocked, and Bewdley keeper Kai Lloyd denied Royer with a sharp stop. Bradshaw raced through on goal but was halted by a last-ditch tackle, before the visitors suffered a blow when Muhid was forced off through illness after just 18 minutes.
Lloyd then produced an extraordinary sequence, saving in quick succession from Bradshaw, Price, and Bowes. Cronin went close with a shot just wide, but Shortwood’s pressure was finally rewarded in the 27th minute when Tryner’s long ball released Bradshaw, who coolly chipped Lloyd to open the scoring.
Bradshaw almost doubled his tally moments later, rounding Lloyd but seeing his effort cleared off the line. However, against the run of play, Bewdley equalised in the 33rd minute when Jack Bailey volleyed home from the edge of the area. Martin then fired inches over just before the break.
Two minutes into the second half, Bewdley took the lead after Shortwood failed to deal with a bouncing ball, allowing Lees to lob Whelan. Martin was later brought down when clean through, but to the visitors’ frustration, the referee produced only a yellow card for the challenge. From the resulting free-kick, Bradshaw rattled the post.
Whelan, performing admirably in goal, saved with his feet from Bangay, but Bewdley struck the killer blow in the 80th minute when Lees grabbed his second to seal the win.
Shortwood AFC Lineup:
Whelan, Royer, Price, King E, Tryner, Cunningham, Sturmey (Colliver 82’), Cronin, Martin, Bradshaw, Bowes (Davies 82’).
Substitute: Franklin (for Muhid, 18’).
Scorers:
Shortwood – Bradshaw (27’)
Bewdley – Bailey (33’), Lees (47’, 80’)
Malmesbury Victoria 3, Shortwood United 1
UHL Hellenic League Division One
Malmesbury took full advantage of their immaculate pitch to claim victory over Shortwood, despite the visitors enjoying long spells of possession.
Wood began brightly, with Travis Cooke and Alfie Bradshaw troubling the home defence, but it was Malmesbury who struck first. Callum Parsons’ shot took a deflection, wrong-footing Alex Kovacevic.
The visitors continued to compete well and netted parity through Elliot Martin.
Early in the second half, Shortwood’s task became harder after conceding a penalty, converted by Jack Hobson-McVeigh. Parsons then made it four for the home side, his low strike clipping the post on the way in.
Bradshaw’s injury hampered Shortwood’s attacking threat, though Kameran Muhid almost set up a tense finale when his shot crashed against the bar.
Despite the defeat, there was no lack of effort from the Wood players, with man-of-the-match honours going to Elliot Martin.
Wood now drop to the bottom of the early season table – they travel to rivals Brimscombe on Saturday.
Shortwood: Kovacevic, Royer, Price, E. King, Tryner (c), Colliver, Cronin, Martin, Bradshaw, Cooke, Muhid. Subs: T. King, Bowes, Franklin.
MOM: Elliot Martin.
