A happier John Evans commented after this game: We improved a lot in the second half and we could have nicked it in the end – but our defending was much better. Man of the match – nothing to choose between Matt Bennett and Will Morford.

Shortwood are missing four key players at the moment and it showed in the first half where Stratford forced Tom King into two fine saves and generally had the better of the play while Shortwood worked hard but struggled to create telling chances – although Haddock forced Stratford Keeper Kemp into a sprawling save. As early as the 2nd minute King had to save from an Alex Price free kick and then Shortwood were put under pressure by a series of corners. Fagan then forced King to dive to his right and keep out a strong shot .
Stratford took the lead after 28 minutes and although they deserved their lead the manner of the goal was contentious. King made a fine paying save to deny Fagan and as the ball went away from goal Adkins went down and the Assistant flagged for a penalty to the surprise of those close to the action. Fagan pushed the spot kick home. Lee was then even more harshly booked and Wood’s frustration was obvious. Slowly though they started to claw their way back into the game and by the break were showing flashes of their style.

Right from the start of the second half Wood were on top. Morford squared to Price when a shot might have been the better option and then Marley Thomas supplied a delightful cross which Haddock, ghosting in, headed over. Thomas was having a field day down the flank and from another excellent cross Bennett fired just wide. Veal came on with Lee pushing forward and Wood looked ever more dangerous. Bennett fired another shot over before Shortwood deservedly levelled with 5 minutes to go. Ross Langworthy hit a terrific curling shot which Kemp, at full stretch managed to tip over the angle but when Langworthy hit the corner to the near post Matt Bennett slammed the ball home at the second attempt.
Wood had a scare when Recci had an effort cleared off the line but the Shortwood almost had the winner. Ash Thomas let fly with venom from the edge of the area and the ball dipped late and Kemp took the full force of the effort in his face – and needed treatment before Town could see out the remaining minute for a point each.

Team : King, Rawlings, Humphreys, Thomas A, Lee, Haddock, Thomas M (Langworthy 71), Hancock (Sommers 75), Bennett, Morford, Price (Veal 60). Subs not used: Snook, Herbert

Shortwood United

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