UHL Hellenic League

Hereford Lads Club 0 Shortwood United 0

SHORTWOOD captain Tom Hoskins returned from a four-game suspension to lead a stellar defensive rearguard as his side shut the door on high-flying Hereford Lads Club, writes Jim Cunneen.

In the opening period, Hereford enjoyed most of the possession, but were largely restricted to long shots on the 3G surface at the County Ground.

Wood did go forward and looked dangerous with Ellis Harper having a good chance well blocked and Adam Philp also having a shot blocked. The defence refused to give way and time-after-time repelled Hereford.

It was 35 minutes before the impeccable Adam Clark had to produce a meaningful save, parrying a shot from Price, but by then Wood had grown into the game and looked to push forward with meaning. In the closing moments of the first half both sides had good chances A low cross for Heeford was just behind the advancing forwards and at the other end Hoskins had a header deflected inches wide.

Almost straight from the kick-off for the second half Josh Beadle robbed a defender and shot inches wide and Finlay Byrnes fired over after a cut back from Hudson. Clark turned a shot from Lear round the post and Kalnins made a great block to deny Price. With 10 minutes to go great work from Mills gave himself a chance to shoot but it flew wide and then Clark parried a shot from Hockey and Waddington was on hand to clear the danger.

Wood had the final word with Byrnes having a goal bound shot blocked and Beadle firing another effort just over.

SHORTWOOD: Clark, Kalnins, Langworthy, Waddington, Byrnes, Kalnins, Hoskins, Hudson (Mills), Beadle, Soule, Philp, Harper (Marquez)