A STUNNING second half performance from Shortwood got the UHL Sport Hellenic Premier League title faourites off to a winning start, writes Jim Cunneen.

Shortwood started brightly. Jake Parrott’s cross picked out Mike Green who was about to side-foot the ball home when he appeared to have his ankle clipped in the box.

Green needed treatment and later had to be substituted.

Minutes later a Matt Bennett cross was handled in the box but Wood’s appeals were waved away. King sent a header wide as Carterton responded and Martyn Pearce saved well from Duerdon.

Jody Bevan indulged in a private battle with keeper Domm but Domm responded with several good saves to deny the Wood striker and somehow the score remained blank at the break.

Wood tightened things up in the second half although they had one escape when Bostock hit the outside of the post.

Shortwood took the lead on 56 minutes. Ross Casey fed Parrott and he let fly from 25 yards - the ball taking a slight deflection as it flew past Domm.

Three minutes later Ben Pugh’s corner was headed powerfully by Casey and although it was blocked on the line Alton Axton was on hand to knock the ball home.

Wood were in charge now. Domm saved superbly from a Pugh flick and Alex Allard spanked a shot against the woodwork from 25 yards.

Carterton still looked dangerous when they did break and the outstyanding Joe Macklin made another timely intervention.

Wood never stopped pushing forward though and in the last minute substitute Mish Green was fouled on the right and Pugh fired the free-kick low and hard towards goal. Domm parried the effort, but substitiute Rich Evans battled well and forced the ball home from close range.

Deep in injury time substitute James Coates did well to win the ball and found Allard whose cross was knocked away by Domm but only to the lurking Mish Green who calmly stroked the ball home.

Boss John Evans said: “ It was a great second half after we stepped it up. Joe Macklin was superb at the back - especially when things were tough in the first half.”

Shortwood: Pearce Allard, Bennett, Macklin, Axton, Parrott, Collins (Coates 61), Mike Green (Mish Green 68), Pugh, Bevan (Evans 73), Casey Star man: Joe Macklin.