United sunk by a Colwell strike (From Stroud News and Journal)

United sunk by a Colwell strike

Hellenic League Premier Division Slimbridge 2 Shortwood United 1

SLIMBRIDGE edged their local derby against visitors Shortwood United with a late Robbie Colwell goal.

Earlier Joe Tustain had provided the home side with a first half lead that was cancelled out by a Tim Haddock penalty.

Having survived a late morning inspection, the Wisloe Road pitch played remarkably well, although the game itself was one of fits and starts. Both sides spurned an early chance before the game pattern had been established.

An early cross by Tustain from the right saw Colwell put his header just wide of the United post before Chris Greenough brought a magnificent turn round the post from home goalkeeper Adam Thomas, who was initially going the opposite way.

Some fascinating private duels were going on round the pitch, which was not unexpected given that four United players had previously played for Slimbridge.

Midway through the half, Matt Green lobbed Shortwood goalkeeper James Price only to see the ball come back off the far post before Will Morford's follow-up from an acute angle also hit the post.

At the other end, Jon Embling made ground up the left and crossed for James Singh's near post header to be flicked round a post by Thomas. Slimbridge took the lead on 41 minutes when United failed to clear from the back.

Colwell powered up the right and very unselfishly drew Price for Tustain to slide the ball into the net from ten yards.

On the interval, Moore netted following a Shortwood free-kick but was adjudged off-side.

After the break, Slimbridge came out strongly but Neil Long and James Darby did much to steady the visitors' rearguard, although Haisley had a clear header go over the bar from a Green corner and Tustain rattled the woodwork from ten yards.

On 66 minutes, United were back in the game with a well struck Tim Haddock spot kick after a surging run in from the right saw Rich Moore upended in the home box for an undisputed penalty.

For the next ten minutes it looked distinctly that United would make Slimbridge pay dearly for failing to consolidate their half-time lead but the United attacking enthusiasm slowly faded.

Instead, Slimbridge found renewed zest as the last ten minutes approached but United battled well to deny any clear cut chances until two minutes from time.

A Green free-kick was pushed forward to Colwell on the edge of the United box. He juggled, turned and shoot with a trademark low drive that whistled across Price into the far corner of the net for a spectacular winner.

The Wisloe Road faithful went wild as the visitors looked stunned. Maybe Slimbridge had done enough to deserve the win but then maybe Shortwood had battled well enough to deserve something from the game. Football can be kind and cruel and this riveting game showed both sides of the coin.