Hellenic League Division One West

Shortwood United 2

Malmesbury Victoria 0

AS the Hellenic League begins a coronavirus lockdown until March 31, Shortwood United occupy the final fourth- place promotion spot, writes Jim Cunneen.

The Nailsworth outfit cemented their spot in the top-four with a 2-0 victory over promotion rivals Malmesbury Victoria.

There was not a weak link in the whole side and the mixture of youth and experience gelled and the young guns showed a maturity beyond their years.

There were several contenders for star player, but Harry Purnell thoroughly deserved the accolade for a truly outstanding performance at full-back.

Shortwood have now gone 399 minutes without conceding a goal and in this game also showed an energy and commitment in midfield and up front where Luke Soule and Adam Philp battled for every scrap going. Wood had to ring the changes through unavailability and every player that came in gave their all in this most pleasing of performances.

Josh Beadle seemed to be everywhere in midfield and it was fitting that he should open the scoring. Collecting the ball 25 yards out he wasted no time in fizzing a low shot into the bottom left hand corner.

With 71 minutes gone, Minola Marquez was again the provider with a low ball across to Adam Philp whose low shot was deflected into the bottom corner. Philp deserved that slight bit of fortune for his great effort on the night.

Wood could have scored more in the last 15 minutes as they pushed forward in search of a third and this was the most satisfying of performances and results.

Shortwood: Adam Clark, Harry Purnell, Josh Blunt, Tom Hoskins, Rendijs Kalnins, Fin Byrnes, Minola Marquez, Josh Beadle, Luke Soule, Adam Philp (Dylan Miles 83), Kenneth Mills (Miracle Osabuohien 74)