By Harry Ash

Shortwood United Development 2

Gala Wilton 1

SHORTWOOD Reserves were tested throughout in an ultimately deserved victory against County League Gala Wilton.

The home side took the lead after ten minutes through Louis Peyton, who fired into the bottom corner having been found by a low Tom Blackah cross.

Ten minutes later, Gala Wilton’s Chris Earle rounded former Stonehouse Town keeper Will Pedrick, but his scuffed shot was saved comfortably.

Wilton equalised halfway through the first period, Earle sliding the ball underneath Pedrick from close range.

Just a couple of minutes before half-time, James Singh saw his header cleared off the line by a defender following a Will Hawes cross, before Hawes himself smashed straight at the goalkeeper when one-on-one.

Shortwood regained the lead five minutes into the second-half: a brilliant flick over the defence from Hawes found Singh, who calmly finished among appeals for offside from the Wilton backline.

With 25 minutes remaining, Gala Wilton were presented a gift when Meredith passed straight to the opposition no.10, but he shot wide from just outside the box.

Five minutes later, Wood substitute Preece ran through on goal, but his shot went straight at the Wilton goalkeeper.