Toolstation Western Premier
Shortwood United 0
Willand Rovers 4
SHORTWOOD UNITED are still searching for their first points of the season , but boss Jason Scrivens can take immense heart from a spirited the second-half display.
Third-placed Willand were at it from the get-go as they penned Shortwood in. Brad Ausden demanding a plunging save from Adam Clarke on eight minutes.
The Nailsworth side were cut open just four minutes later. Craig Duff slipped in Ben Bickle, who comfortably beat the exposed Clarke.
The impressive Luke Mortimer was a football boot away from a Willand second as Wood toiled.
Mortimer added Willand’s second on the half-hour despite Shortwood captain Joe Tryner’s effort to scramble the ball off the line.
On the cusp of the break Bickle headed in his second from Ryan Guppy's precise cross.
With fears of another heavy defeat, Shortwood to their colossal credit started on the front-foot – forcing two early corners from pint-sized Jamie Walker’s industry.
It was all Shortwood. The outstanding Tryner nodding wide from a teasing Jacob Nowel corner.
Wood continued with their foot firmly on the gas. Callum Scrivens’ pin-point cross found sub Andreas Ali and his ball saw Walker’s fizzer deflected wide.
The exuberant Walker picked up a booking for a lunge onGuppy as tempers raised.
Willand were struggling to gain a foothold. Ali was fractionally wide from a towering Walker cross.
However, in a rare foray it was Willand who bagged their fourth – sub David Steele spanking one home with 15 minutes to go.
Wood kept plugging away. Assistant manager Joey Tustain watching his 35 yard howitzer fly over and then Walker’s speculative cross almost caught out Mike Searle.
The move of the match almost handed Shortwood the consolation goal their second-half endeavour deserved. Walker and impressive teenage striker Jack Gardner traded passes for Tustain to fizz his strike into Searle.
Shortwood United: Clarke; Bebbington, Norwell, Hoskins, Tryner, Scrivens (Amos 51), Tustain, Langworthy, Walker, Gardner, Hassan (Ali 48)
Subs not used: Shipp J Scrivens.
Ref: G. Kornosiewicz
Star Man: Joe Tryner. Shortwood captain caught the eye at the heart of the Wood defence
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