By Jim Cunneen

Shortwood 3

Cinderford 1

EASTER proved to be an egg-cellent time for Shortwood as they posted an emphatic Gloucestershire derby victory over play-off chasing Cinderford Town.

The Nailsworth side made it back-to-back holiday victories, which delighted co-manager Alex Sykes.

"That was a great first half and I am really pleased with our quality," said Sykes.

"We had to dig in after the break, but the result was excellent. Tim Haddock was outstanding and was our star man, but he was pushed by goalkeeper Tom King and Nick Humphreys."

Shortwood took their goal tally for the season to 101 and the century goal will stay long in the memory.

They simply blew Cinderford away with three goals in the first 25 minutes.

After eight minutes Lewis Sommers put Humphreys away down the line and despite being under pressure he sent the perfect cross to the far post where Joe White nodded home.

Shortwood scored their second after 16 minutes. Sommers was fouled and Tim Haddock saw keeper Harris off his line and sent a 45-yard free- kick in off the bar.

Town had a chance to pull one back after 23 minutes when King did well to turn round a header from Donaghue.

King wasted no time feeding Nick Hancock who looked up and set White free and he showed composure to run on and chip the ball over the advancing Harris and put Wood 3-0 up.

Cinderford came out all guns blazing in the second half and reduced the arrears within two minutes of the restart.

Former Cheltenham Town striker Ethan Moore crossed the ball to the far post where Keightley rose high to head home. Cinderford were back in it and the Wood defence was severely tested and it took a superb save from King to deny Keighley minutes later.

Slowly Shortwood clawed their way back into the game and twice Ross Langworthy was put through and twice Harris denied him with his feet. A goal then would surely have killed Town off, but King again showed superb reflexes to deny Moore twice and Haddock made a superb block tackle as he threatened again.

Shortwood always looked dangerous when they broke, however, and White forced Harris into a save and sub Adam Price was narrowly wide.

SHORTWOOD: King, White, Bennett, Haddock, Lee, Hancock, Egan (Singh 70), Parrott (Rawlings 84), Sommers (Price 64), Langworthy, Humphries.

Star man: Tim Haddock.