Southern League South West Division

Bishop's Cleeve...................................... 4

Shortwood United......................................1

SHORTWOOD boss Alex Sykes was lost for words as his side collapsed at his old club Bishop's Cleeve, writes Jim Cunneen.

“I’m lost for words – we are not learning and I have no man-of-the-match today,” said Sykes after his former club ended a five-match losing run.

Shortwood had players missing through unavailability and illness, but it all went horribly wrong in the second period.

Shortwood were the better side in the opening 45 minutes and Price came within inches of giving Shortwood a first-half lead and it might have been a different story, but in the second-half Cleeve attacked them with a will and Shortwood contributed to their own downfall.

Wood played the ball about well in the first-half but in truth goal scoring opportunities for both sides were limited. Meredith blazed over after four minutes after good work from Morford and Davies and after 11 minutes Wood came very close to taking the lead.

Home keeper Wieczorek struggled to control a back pass and Morford robbed him. He laid the ball back to Price who took his time and measured his shot only to see the ball cannon away off the inside of the post.

After 51 minutes Wood conceded an unnecessary free-kick and when Watts curled the ball over to the near post Hancock inadvertently headed the ball past the surprised Langley.

Cleeve doubled their lead after 66 minutes - Bates slammed the ball home from six yards off the underside of the bar.

It was even worse three minutes later. Wieczorek launched the ball long and the unmarked Watts ran on, side-stepped Langley and rolled the ball into the empty net.

With 19 minutes to go Shortwood had a slim hope of recovery when Mendes curled a delightful free-kick over the ball and just under the bar from 25 yards.

Any hope of a comeback disappeared after 78 minutes. A back header from Bennett let Davidge in and as he raced into the area Langley came out and clattered him to the floor. Davidge picked himself up and sent the Wood keeper the wrong way from the spot.

Meanwhile, Weeks cleared a shot off the line from Nutting and Langley turned a shot from Davidge round the post.

In the closing stages Mendes hit the Cleeve bar with a curler.

Shortwood: Langley, Marks (Mendes 64), Bennett, Weeks, Low, Hancock, Davies, Withington, Morford, Meredith, Price (Turner 70).

Next up: Shortwood v Salisbury, April 1, 3pm.