Southern League South and West Division

Shortwood United 5

Bridgwater Town 0

MARLEY Thomas was the catalyst for Shortwood United as his four assists helped his side slam five goals past Bridgwater Town, writes Jim Cunneen.

And delighted Shortwood co-manager Alex Sykes saw his side get their play-off hopes back on track with a first win in seven matches.

“This was as comprehensive as it gets,” said Sykes. “ We worked hard and showed our strength in depth. Everyone turned in a good performance today – but Marley Thomas gets the man-of- the- match award.”

Goals from Joe White, Adam Price and subs Josh Klein-Davies, Josh Egan and Ross Langworthy completed an emphatic afternoon for the Nailsworth outfit.

Thomas caused havoc all afternoon down the flank and had a hand in four of the five goals. In the second half Shortwood looked likely to score with every move and with a bit more luck might have added to the tally. At the back they looked solid and showed little of the defensive frailties of recent weeks.

It only took Wood three minutes to open the scoring. Thomas and Sam Rawlings combined and when the ball came into the box Rudge made a complete hash of his control and former Bristol Rovers striker Joe White slammed the ball home.

Bridgwater gradually came back and started to enjoy more possession, but Wood generally looked comfortable and posed the greater thread. Keeper Tom King did have to come out bravely at Knighton’s feet, but Ben John was always the busier keeper.

Both sides had good chances in the dying seconds before the break. White was inches wide with a shot and King saved well from a Knighton snap-shot.

Once Wood got into their stride in the second half there was no stopping them. Adam Price fired over from a good position and just before the hour scored Wood’s second.

He drove forward from midfield and put Thomas in through the middle. As John came out to meet him Thomas squared the ball back to Price, who shot home.

John did well to claw a Hancock corner from under his bar before Shortwood scored the third with 20 minutes to go. Jake Lee put super- sub Klein – Davies in and he took his time before threading the ball through the narrowest of gaps just inside the near post.

Shortwood were rampant. Thomas pulled the ball back to Klein – Davies who drove the ball across the edge of the area and fellow sub Egan, running in, thundered a header past John. John saved well from Price before Wood added their fifth with seven minutes to go – and again Thomas was the provider. His ball through was perfect for sub Langworthy, but he still had work to do. His finish was calm and assured as he ran through wasting no time in shooting past the advancing John.

There was still time for Langworthy to smack the ball against the post before the end as Wood left the field to the applause of the Shortwood faithful ringing in their ears.

SHORTWWOOD: King, Rawlings, Humphreys, Lee, Bennett, Parrott, Thomas M, Hancock (Egan 72), White (Langworthy 69), Sommers (Klein – Davies 64), Price.

Subs not used: Hoskins.

Star Man: Marley Thomas.