Hellenic League Division One West

Shortwood United Development 1

Kidlington Reserves 3 

A WEAKENED Shortwood Development team still await their first win as they fell short again at home, writes Harry Ash.

“A much better performance considering the side we had today”, said boss Nick Ackland, after he made a cameo performance for the injured Harry Burns with just over ten minutes to play.

“If we had a bit more upfront, it could have been a different game. I was impressed with them, and we lost to a slightly better side than us today.”

Shortwood Development got off to a slow start, as Kidlington’s first real attempt resulted in the first goal of the match.

Jack Tooke’s deflected shot from the edge of the box was saved by Robinson, but Al Hakam was on hand to finish from a tight angle.

The lead could have been extended moments later as McCarthy found Al Hakam, but the winger fired just wide with only Robinson to beat.

Just before the half-hour mark, Harry Burns attempted to loft the ball into Regula, but Kidlington’s goalkeeper Lacey got to the ball first, only for Burns’ follow-up shot to be saved by the still-recovering Lacey.

Kidlington doubled their lead on 36 minutes when Jack Gaul fired into the near top corner from a narrow angle about 15 yards out.

On the stroke of half-time, Dan Lander brought Shortwood back into the game, as Olli Portlock’s corner was met by Palmer’s head but Lacey’s save went straight to Lander to fire into the roof of the net.

Tooke could have put the result beyond doubt in the second-half as McCarthy’s cross set the Kidlington striker free but Tooke’s shot whistled past the post.

With 55 minutes played, Kidlington would have their third goal and Gaul’s second as he latched onto McCarthy’s low cross at the back post to tap in.

Syd Fawcett had a late half-chance for Wood, but his poorly executed left-footed volley went harmlessly wide.