Southern League West

Didcot Town  1

Shortwood United 1

AFTER last week’s 8-0 demolition by Salisbury, Shortwood showed commendable spirit to get a point at seventh-place Didcot Town, writes Jim Cunneen.

Striker Joe White marked his second spell at Shortwood with a goal, but the Nailsworth side suffered a first-half knee injury to top scorer Levi Cox.

Boss Paul Meredith was happy to claim a point, he said: “We got out of jail, but we have to believe in ourselves. We were much better towards the end of the game.”

Wood started brightly enough. Will Hawes rattled the outside of the post after four minutes and Ockwell had a header cleared off the line. Didcot came into the game slowly and started to dominate. However, Forest Green loanee keeper Harry Pickering supplied a masterclass.

Wood lost Cox just before the break with a knee injury.

Didcot took a deserved lead with a smart header from Learoyd after 56 minutes. The introduction of Kibble for the tiring Hawes revitalised Wood. Jack Freeman forced Bedwell to save at the foot of the post, Ben Prictor shot wide and Kibble delayed getting his shot away too long.

Finally, captain Adam Price played in a free-kick and although it was half cleared, Ockwell played the ball back in and White put the ball in at the far post. Shortwood’s Jordan Morris shot too close to Bedwell and in added time Barder had a great chance to win it for Didcot.

Shortwood: Pickering, Marks, Prictor, Ockwell, Thwaite, Price, Freeman, White, Morris, Cox (Fogg 39), Hawes (Kibble 64).

Attendance: 106.

Star Man: Harry Pickering.