Hellenic League Division 1 FC Stratford 0 Shortwood 0
This was a much improved Shortwood performance, writes Jim Cunneen.
With games being postponed recently, Marcus Foxwell’s side found their feet against a tricky FC Stratford.
Ollie Price had his best game for the club and new sigining Olly Whelan slotted in well alongside captain Joe Tryner.
Billy Thomas saved well from Orandu and Kent fired narrowly wide for the Wood. Keegan Bowes then forced Monaghan into a save with Dan Gayner possibly better positioned, and Alex Gayner headed straight at Monaghan.
Wood pressed and had shots blocks while Orandu had a clever back heel attempt deflected just wide.
A good Wood move ended with Alex Gayner hitting a curler which Monaghan did well to tip round. Kent had an effort ruled out for hand ball and the game
developed into a midfield battle. Just before the break Cook fired a good chance over for the hosts.
Wood were the brighter of the two sides in the first 20 minutes of the second period. And Kent was inches away from giving Wood the lead.
Wood had an appeal for a penalty waved away when Dan Gayner appeared to be tripped and Alex Gayner had a header blocked.
Both sides huffed and puffed but the defences held firm and it took good saves from Thomas, from Nicholl, and Monaghan, from Dan Gayner, to preserve a point each at the end.
Shortwood: Thomas, Sabally, Price, Byrnes, Tryner, Whelan, Bowes, Molyneux (Martin 70), Kent (Smith 61), Gayner A, Gayner D
