Southern League South and West Division

Shortwood United 0

Merthyr Town 0

By Jim Cunneen

CO-MANAGER John Evans heralded a Shortwood side,who held runaway leaders Merthyr Town to a deserved point at Meadowbank on Saturday.

Big-spending Merthyr, who have smashed 100 goals this season, had a second half penalty saved by experienced goalkeeper Tom King, but Shortwood will point at the outstanding saves made by visiting keeper Tom Bradley in the first half, but will question whether Bradley should even have been on the pitch after the 18th minute.

Evans said: "This was a great battling performance and there was several good performances – but Matt Bennett was truly outstanding today."

Shortwood bossed the first half and midfielder Josh Egan fired an early shot over.

After 18 minutes Adam Price and Ross Langworthy combined and as Price took the loose ball past Bradley the keeper hauled him back as he was presented with an open goal. The referee, who otherwise had a fine game, waved the shouts for the penalty away.

King fisted away a fierce drive from Traylor and former Southampton striker Kyle McLaggon fired a free-kick well wide. At the other end, Bradley did superbly to tip over an Egan 30 yard dipping strike and then bettered that save to deny Langworthy.

If Shortwood had the first half then Merthyr dominated the second.

However, Shortwood’s defence and midfield continued to harry and defend superbly and captain Matt Bennett was outstanding.

The Martyrs missed a chance to break the deadlock on 54 minutes. Ryan Prosser was felled in the box, but King guessed right to superbly deny McLaggon from the penalty spot.

With five minutes to go former Hereford United defender Ryan Green shot and Traylor deflected the ball, but King again kept the ball out.

SHORTWOOD:King, Rawlings, Haddock, Lee, Bennett, Hancock, Egan, Parrott, Langworthy (Singh 83), Klein – Davies (Sommers 73), Price (Thomas 62).

Sub not used: White.

Star Man: Matt Bennett.

Next up: Evesham (H) Saturday, 3pm.