Shortwood Utd..... 0

Larkhall Athletic...2

SHORTWOOD were beaten for the first time at home in a frustrating clash against Larkhall Athletic, writes Jim Cunneen.

Co-manager Alex Sykes could not hide his disappointment, he said: “We were out scrapped and out fought today – we were very average.”

New-boy Andy Lewis slotted into the place of the departed Ash Thomas and gave an assured performance at the back, but Wood were very poor in the first half and Larkhall deserved their half-time lead.

Where Wood’s play was scrappy and the passing poor, Larkhall moved the ball about with pace in the first period and had a good opportunity to score after only six minutes.

A cross from Horan fizzed across the six yard box and Tumelty knocked the ball wide from close range.

At the other end, in-form striker Ross Langworthy tested Shaftoe with a snap shot and saw a header drop just wide, but generally it was Athletic who had the upper-hand. Lyons hit a free- kick wide and Sibbick went close.

On the stroke of half-time Sibbick was put through and he finished with a crisp low drive that flew in off the inside of the post.

Shortwood were better in the second half and started to push Larkhall back and Langworthy was unlucky to see a shot rebound off the post and then Adam Price forced Shaftoe into a full-length save.

The killer second goal came against the run of play after 62 minutes.

Larkhall broke, Shortwood were careless and the ball found Sibbick at the far post. Although Tom King did well to parry Sibbick’s first effort the forward reacted the quicker and ran the ball into the empty net.

Still Wood pressed. Marley Thomas forced Shaftoe to save with his feet and White beat Shaftoe to the ball but sent the ball wide of the far post.

Larkhall defended well and Lyons in particular looked good in defence. James Singh came close with a shot across goal but the closest they came to a goal was deep in injury time when Shaftoe tipped a Langworthy header over the bar.

Larkhall were naturally delighted with the three points, and the clean sheet, while Wood will have to regroup before they travel to Cinderford on New Year’s Day.

SHORTWOOD: King, Hancock, Humphreys, Lewis, Lee, White, Egan (Thomas M 65), Price, Sommers (Singh 55), Langworthy, Cant (Lawrence – Forbes 72).

Subs not used: Herbert, Sykes.

Star Man: Andy Lewis.