Southern League South West Division

Winchester City 5

Shortwood United 1

By Jim Cunneen

Shortwood went down to a heavy defeat at Winchester on Saturday, thanks largely to a  hat-trick from Winchester striker Pat Cox.

Shortwood’s cause was not helped by the sending off of Alex Kibble shortly after Joe White had scored to put Wood back into the game at 1-2.

Wood, missing several key players, had started brightly enough with Liam Meredith firing across goal before Kibble picked up a yellow card for a foul and Burton had to save a free-kick from Barron.

City had a header ruled out for offside and Luke Benneyworth surprised City with his long throw – White firing narrowly over.

When Wood conceded another free-kick after 38 minutes Bailey struck a tremendous kick over the wall and in off the post.

Just before the break a sloppy pass gave Winchester the ball and they broke at speed and Cox fired across Burton into the bottom corner.

Within 10 minutes of the restart Wood were back in it and this time it was City’s turn to be caught on the break and when Kibble put White in his powerful shot left Pryce with no chance.

White looked dangerous and forced City on to the back foot but when Kibble caught Bailey with a reckless challenge referee Parsons had little option but to issue Kibble with a second yellow card.

Within two minutes Bailey thundered home a spectacular volley and Wood were up against it. Cox headed home with 12 minutes to go and his close range finish in the last minute was just icing on the Christmas cake.

Shortwood: Burton, Benneyworth Noakes 65), Haswell (Freeman 66), Ryan Thwaite, Rich Thwaite, Ryan Meredith, Kibble, White, Nick Humphreys, Meredith, Liam Meredith

Attendance: 126

Shortwood welcome local rivals Slimbridge on Boxing Day, 3pm.