Shortwood Utd 0
Bath City 2
By Jim Cuneen
SHORTWOOD boss Alex Sykes took many positives from this pre-season clash with National League outfit Bath City.
Bath had to wait until the 75th minute to go in front when an Andy Watkins cross was headed in by Joe Selman.
The second came in stoppage-time as Henry Spalding followed up after a Josh Hutchinson shot had been cleared off the line.
Bath boasted a team with a raft of Football League quality, including striker Marvin Morgan and former Cheltenham midfielder Zack Kotwica and they also included the Jake Owers – the son of Bath boss Gary.
Earlier, Sykes had hoped to include Cheltenham Town keeper Rhys Lovett, but he was recalled by his parent club to sit on the bench against Barnsley and his place was taken by Tom King, who returned from his retirement to help out.
Andy Lewis gets the ball away for Shortwood Pics: Brian Rossiter
Bath were certainly the brighter side in the first half and had a goal ruled out in the opening few minutes after Nick McCootie handled the ball on the floor before he prodded home.
Wood had their first real effort with Adam Price shooting over after 20 minutes. And a well-constructed move then saw Nick Peare fire a rising shot just over but Bath were generally on top and Ketowick forced King into a sprawling save.
City were playing some great football at times as they pushed the ball about at speed and former Swindon Town defender Nathan Marks moved smartly to make a great clearance as Morgan was about to shoot home.
Towards the end of the half Wood started to get on top and Price headed against the bar from a Matt Bennett cross.
Steve Davies came on at half-time and again showed what a good acquisition he is going to be, and from a fine cross from him Chris Withington faded a shot across goal and just past the post.
Ketowick thudded a shot a shot against the bar but generally Wood were much the brighter side.
Wood still had chances to score in the last few minutes and former Bristol Rovers goalkeeper Steve Phillips had to save well from Davies and a Jake Lee free-kick.
SHORTWOOD: King, R Humphreys, Bennett, Lewis, Weeks, Price, Lee, Meredith, Marks, Withington, N Humphreys, Davies, Thomas, Peare, Singh.
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