Calor League Division One South and West

Paulton Rovers 0

Shortwood United 3

ADAM Mann bagged a brace as form team Shortwood United packed a Boxing Day punch at third-placed Paulton Rovers, writes Jim Cunneen.

Shortwood made it five wins on the bounce and co-manager John Evans insisted the performance matched the heroic FA Cup win at Aldershot.

Evans said: “That performance was up there with Aldershot and easily our best league performance of the season – everyone was terrific today but if I had to single anyone out it would be Adam Mann and Marc Richards."

The Nailsworth side were missing injured leading goalscorer Duncan Culley for a second match, but Mann stepped up to the plate.

The only sour note was the late sending off of Matt Bennett for a reckless challenge.

Paulton started brightly and Mike Perrott forced Tom King to save. Shortwood took the lead after 34 minutes. Jake Parrott floated a free- kick into the area and Marc Richards nodded home for his first goal for his new club Shortwood doubled their lead after 59 minutes.

Nick Hancock’s long ball caught Paulton’s defence square and Mann raced through. Although Phillips blocked his first shot Mann continued his run and knocked the ball into the empty net.

Shortwood scored their third after 67 minutes. This time it was Sam Avery who provided the perfect through ball and again Mann raced clear, took the ball round Phillips and pushed the ball home.

SHORTWOOD: King, Avery, Brown, Pritchett, Coates, Richards, Hancock, Parrott, Mann, Langworthy (Thomas 73), Bennett.

Subs not used: Sykes.

Shortwood welcome Taunton Town to Meadowbank on Saturday, 3pm.