Southern League South West Division

Yate Town..............................................3

Shortwood United.................................... 0

SHORTWOOD boss Paul Meredith gave his side the hairdryer treatment after they crashed at Yate Town, writes Jim Cunneen.

Prior to this game Wood were unbeaten away and Yate had failed to win a home league game.

“We were poor today and our passing was shocking,” admitted Meredith. “We let ourselves down and failed to compete. I expect so much more from this team.”

The game hinged on the somewhat controversial dismissal of Adam Price on the hour, but even then the meekness of Wood’s surrender came as a surprise given the grit shown in their previous performances.

Wood started brightly enough and forged a couple of chances for Ryan Meredith and Jordan Morris before Yate started to come back into the game but they posed little threat until Wood were masters of their own undoing after 37 minutes. Harry Pickering’s clearance went straight to Difford and with Wood pushing forward they were defensively thin on the ground and Leigh – Gilchrist was left with a simple finish.

Pickering redeemed himself with a fine safe to keep out a Difford shot from 20 yards and Brooks missed a simple chance to double the lead.

After 61 minutes Price was the victim of a tackle from behind and when the dust had settled the Yate player was shown yellow and Price was shown a straight red for alleged violent conduct. After that the wheels came off. Morris hit their only real shot straight at keeper Rivers and it was no surprise when Ebbutt scored Yate’s second – heading home from close range after 80 minutes.

With five minutes to go Wood were cut to ribbons and Brooks had all the time and space he needed to pick his spot for the third.

It could have been even worse as Yate squandered more chances before the end and Meredith will have to work on his side before they face Paulton at home on Saturday and travel to a pointless Bishop’s Cleeve the following Tuesday.

Shortwood: Pickering, Low Davies 67), Prictor, Meredith R, Thwaite, Kibble, Price, Freeman (Aliu 71), Burns (Meredith L 67), White, Morris Attendance: 161