Southern League South West Division

Shortwood United 2

Evesham United 0

By Jim Cunneen

BOSS Alex Sykes was a much happier man after this much-improved performance from Shortwood on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Nailsworth side posted their first home win of the season against much-fancied Evesham.

“Today we showed the standard we need to achieve and made a good Evesham side look ordinary, " said Sykes. "I am delighted with the clean sheet and the overall performance - Nick Peare was outstanding.”

Shortwood were without the suspended Ed Weeks and Peare slotted in to the middle of the back four and had a terrific game – but this was an all-round team performance that chased and harried Evesham at every turn and rarely gave them a chance to settle.

Wood should have taken the lead in the first minute, when Nick Humphreys got away down the left flank, and his inch-perfect cross fell onto the head of Jake Lee, unmarked at the far post, but the Wood striker headed wide.

Wood were bright and imaginative and might have had a penalty when Liam Meredith had his ankle clipped as he raced into the area.

Evesham had a real chance of their own after 24 minutes when Dovey sent in a header which seemed destined for the top corner, but Rhys Lovett managed to touch it onto the bar.

Wood swept up the other end and forced a corner. Evesham failed to deal with it and Andy Lewis was on hand to crash the ball into the roof of the net.

Wood continued to dominate and Evesham only got away sporadically but just before the break Adam Mann sent a header just wide.

Lee’s persistence almost bought Wood a second just after the restart when he robbed Wellon but his chip drifted inches over. When the Wood striker picked up a knock on the hour Will Morford came on and it did not take him long to make his mark.

Steve Davies flicked on a through ball and Morford ran on before expertly slipping the ball passed Kevin Sawyer. Only a last-ditch tackle denied Davies as he was through and Morford had a goal bound effort blocked.

Sam Mendes, on his debut, had a powerful shot blocked and in the last minute Withington hit a shot straight at Sawyer, but Wood were comfortable and left the field to deserved applause.

SHORTWOOD: Lovett, Marks, Bennett, Lewis, Peare, Hancock, Davies (Mendes 78), Withington, Lee (Morford 61), Meredith (Price 70), Humphreys N.

Star Man: Nick Peare.