Shortwood United......................................1

Barnstaple Town........................................0

TEENAGER Jack Freeman scored the only goal of the game as Shortwood made it three end-of-season wins on the spin, writes Jim Cunneen.

Caretaker manager Andy Hoskins was delighted after Wood beat a useful Barnstaple outfit at Meadowbank in their final game of the season.

Hoskins said: “We didn’t want the season to just fizzle out and I am really happy with three wins on the spin – and two clean sheets. The spirit we have shown has been amazing.”

With former reserve team boss Paul ‘Dessie’ Meredith expected to take the helm next season, Hoskins was pleased to see hot-prospect Freeman make his mark.

He added: “I’m really pleased for Jack Freeman and he is a real prospect, and Steve Davies has shown in the last few games what a player he is, but the man-of-the-match today was Chris Withington again.”

Shortwood’s football was delightful at times and the only thing lacking was the final ball or the margin of the victory may well have been greater, but credit must also be given to Barnstaple who fully played their part and with a little luck, or more composure, might have got a point.

The victory however belonged to the Wood and they finished ninth in the table and finished the season with a smile on their faces.

In the fifth-minute Town keeper Oliver miskicked the ball straight to Will Morford who was taken by surprise and could only knock the ball straight back to him, but it was not long before Shortwood took the lead with a terrific goal.

Wood built from the back and when the ball reached Withington he still had a lot of work to do. Beating two players on the right flank he cut in before laying the ball back to Freeman. The young midfielder held of a challenge and fired crisply into the bottom corner.

It could have been two just a minute later as Davies raced through but Oliver just got enough to turn the ball round the post. Slowly but surely Town got back into the game and Lee Francis fired a good chance over and both sides played some excellent football.

Davies fired a curler just wide, but Wood had an escape when Turner hit the Wood bar from 20 yards and the same player had an effort ruled out for off side.

The second-half was even and was played in a great spirit as both sides swapped chances. Turner scuffed a shot to Langley from close range and Freeman tested Oliver.

Copp fired a cross shot across the Wood six-yard box with no one able to get the vital touch and Oliver denied Morford as he raced onto a Meredith through ball.

Morford then laid the ball back to Humphreys who fired over but another goal would not come.

SHORTWOOD: Langley, Withington, Bennett, Lewis (Low 61), Peare (Mendes 80), Hancock, Davies (Meredith 75), Humphreys N, Freeman, Price, Morford.

Star Man: Chris Withington.