Shortwood United

Well what can I say!
To suffer a defeat that is harsh in the extreme is bad enough but to lose a game so late is even worse....
If that isn't bad enough the manner of the goal was surreal.
Let's set the scene!
Merthyr have enjoyed bucket loads of possession as expected but the defence and midfield have harried, chased and forced them into corners all evening. Pritch and Smash were totally outstanding and thoroughly deserved their moms. Jake has been his usual self and Luke Gullick is starting to prove himself to be a fine aquisition. Timmy and Singher too have run their proverbials off and everywhere you looked the Wood players gave 100%.
We had the better chances - with their keeper being by far the busier and Jake hitting the bar.
oss came on and showed how quick he is and then in the 93rd minute Luke G put him through....
Seriously a deathly hush descended over the ground and all around me in the stand the Woodites stood and waited...
The keeper did his job superbly and refused to commit himself but from close range Ross chose to square the ball instead of shoot and the chance was gone as the ball was cleared and seconds later it was in the back of our net....
I know Kinger was devestated by his mistake and let us remind ourselves that Tom is a fine keeper whose mistakes are rarer than hen's teeth! Let us also remember that footballers all over the park make mistakes but when the keeper makes one it is so highlighted...
As for Ross he is already proving himself to be fast and has the ability to get himself into great positions and he will get loads more chances to score.
Football is cruel and we will do the same to someone else.

Shortwood showed last night that they are far from out of place in this league and the spirit and work rate is superb. Now all we need is a little bit of luck!

As for Merthyr well it was great to be in a 'proper' old fashioned ground again and let us remember too that they are a supporters owned club after the demise of Merthyr Tydffil FC. They will do well in that league and good luck to them! They were thoroughly nice people too and extremely friendly and full of commiseration after our defeat....

And so we take a break from League Action this week with a trip to Highworth on SUNDAY in the FA Cup. Consequently the scheduled home league game against Yate on Bank Holiday Monday is postponed...
The Reserves start their league campaign on Saturday when they play Gloucester City Development at Meadowbank - kick off 3.00 .
Please get along and give them your support - no excuses as the firsts are playing on Sunday....

The report and stats are added- with Smash taking an early lead in the dash for the stats...

Bryans pics will be added as soon as they are available....