Wood win in Devon
Barnstaple 1 Wood 3
A few weeks ago Shortwood went to Totton with the bare eleven and came home with all three points and they repeated the feat when they travelled to Barnstaple on Saturday. Manager Paul Meredith said: “It wasn’t pretty but they did a great job to get the win. The schedule is punishing with so many games and the players have been tremendous. We will keep going!” Ben Prictor picked what looked like a nasty foot injury towards the end but the resilience shown by the players is tremendous and is fully appreciated by everyone connected to the club. The first half was terrific fare – the second half less so as the players understandably wilted in the heat and with the exertion of so many games. Wood looked comfortable in that second period and a late goal from Morris was the icing on the cake.
Wood were in front after 8 minutes. A combination of Jack Freeman and man of the match Will Hawes freed Nick Humphreys and his shot took a deflection on the way home. Town were level within 5 minutes as Wood were caught out by a ball over the top and Hopcroft drove the ball in just under the bar. The game was frenetic and Town hit the Wood woodwork twice while Town keeper Holmes saved from Taylor, Freeman and Hawes. Wood regained the lead after 24 minutes. Freeman put Hawes in and although he was hauled back he managed to get his shot away. Holmes parried the shot but only to Sam Taylor who had the simplest of finishes. Wood then dominated the rest of the half and a succession of crosses caused Barnstaple trouble and Nick Humphreys forced Holmes into a fine save with a powerful header.
The second half was quieter in comparison and Wood dealt comfortably with any Barnstaple pressure and Pickering was rarely troubled. Holmes was by far the busier keeper and again saved from Hawes and Humphreys. Finally in the last minute Nick Humphreys superb through ball saw Jordan Morris run free and his shot across the keeper gave Shortwood their third goal and when the whistle went seconds later they left the field warmly applauded by the Wood faithful who had travelled down for the day.
Team: Pickering, Ryan Meredith, Prictor, Lander, Ryan Thwaite, Rich Thwaite, Taylor, Freeman, Morris, Humphreys, Hawes
Assist
Jack Freeman
Assist
Jack Freeman
Assist
Nick Humphreys
Assist
Will Hawes
Assist
Will Hawes
Star Player
Will HawesKey moments
Highlights
As it happened
- Barnstaple Town
- Shortwood United
- 0
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Jack Freeman Assist 8:00'
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Nick Humphreys Goal 8:00'
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Will Hawes Assist 8:00'
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Sam Taylor Goal 24:00'
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Jack Freeman Assist 24:00'
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Will Hawes Assist 24:00'
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Jordan Morris Yellow Card 88:00'
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Jordan Morris Goal 89:00'
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Nick Humphreys Assist 89:00'
Team selection
League round up
Other West results
Comments
Standings
| # | Team | Pl | Pts |
| 15. | Larkhall Athletic | 42 | 45 |
| 16. | Mangotsfield United | 42 | 41 |
| 17. | Shortwood United | 42 | 40 |
| 18. | North Leigh | 42 | 38 |
| 19. | Paulton Rovers | 42 | 37 |
| 20. | Slimbridge | 42 | 35 |
| 21. | Barnstaple Town | 42 | 29 |
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