Shortwood 2 Moreton Rangers 1 – UHL Hellenic League
Play-off-chasing Shortwood United completed the double over in-form Moreton, writes Jim Cuneen.
Wood scored the opening goal after 19 minutes, Jake Rhodes, who was excellent throughout, played Kieran Marks in and Marks sidestepped a defender before planting a shot across the advancing Shelton into the far corner.
At the other end, Freeman had to be quick off his line to deny Burford.
Twice Moreton picked up yellow cards for fouls, one on Luke Soule and the other on Keiran Marks before Moreton were awarded an obvious penalty as Freeman clattered a forward. Shortwood were given a reprieve as Briggs hit his penalty wide.
Wood rang the changes and were soon back on top as Nathan Payne shot straight at the keeper and Chris Earle fired high. Wood doubled their lead after 66 minutes with a fine goal. Earle got away down the right and his perfect low cross was met by Soule on the edge of the area who scored with a low drive. Earle had a curling shot saved by the keeper and Rhodes headed over a Payne corner.
With 5 minutes to go Moreton pulled one back – Singh hitting a superb free-kick over the wall and into the very top corner.
Moreton then lost a player for the last few minutes in the sin bin and their manager received a straight red as Wood saw the game out and might even have had a third – Shelton making a fine save to deny Rhodes in the dying seconds.
Shortwood: Freeman, Marks K (Payne 59), Barrett, Tunnicliff, Tryner, Marks N (Earle 61), Tosdevine (Peyton L 79), Pepa (Byrnes 60), Soule, Rhodes, Eakers (Bowes 75)
Star player – Jake Rhodes.
