Shortwood Utd..... 2

Wantage Town......1

By Jim Cunneen

IT was the Southern League South and West Division points that mattered, according to Shortwood joint-manager Alex Sykes.

The play-off chasing Nailsworth side ground out a victory against a spirited Wantage side in a performance that never touched the heights of their last two victories.

In-form Josh Klein-Davies bagged a brace after Wantage had taken a first half lead from the penalty spot.

“The three points were what mattered and Josh Klein – Davies scored two goals of real quality and his goals made a difference,” said Sykes.

Wantage made a bright start and Wood’s decision making and passing were poor at times and in the first period Klein – Davies fluffed his lines as he sent a header wide and then captain Matt Bennett carved out an opportunity for himself, but failed to hit the target.

Wantage had already had a strong appeal for a penalty for hand ball turned down when Whitehead was fouled in the area after 28 minutes. He smacked the spot-kick past Tom King’s dive.

Wood responded and Klein – Davies sent a weak header straight at keeper Simmonds.

Klein-Davies missed a chance to net parity on 35 minutes when he missed from the penalty spot after being upended.

Shortwood were level within three minutes of the restart. Bennett played a delightful defence-splitting cross field ball to Josh Egan, who controlled the ball and played it back perfectly into the path of Klein – Davies for a 20-yard side-foot finish.

Shortwood looked for another as Simmonds saved a Marley Thomas shot with his foot and Klein – Davies fired another shot wide.

After 59 minutes Wood took the lead. Thomas broke from the halfway line and his low cross saw Klein – Davies strike cleverly home.

After that Shortwood created the better chances. Thomas and Klein – Davies had shots deflected wide and Ross Langworthy forced Simmonds into a save while the back four kept Wantage’s forwards quiet.

SHORTWOOD: King, Rawlings, Humphreys, Lewis (Price 67), Lee, Bennett, Thomas M (Lawrence – Forbes 86), Hancock, Sommers (Langworthy 73), Klein – Davies, Egan.

Subs not used: Hoskins, Sykes.

Star Man: Josh Klein-Davies.