Southern League South and West Division
Swindon Supermarine 4
Shortwood United 3
By Jim Cunneen
SHORTWOOD : King, Rawlings, Veal (Humphreys 74), Thomas A, Lee, Haddock, Thomas M (Langworthy 74), Hancock, Bennett Morford, Culley (Sommers 44).
Subs not used: John, Herbert
SHORTWOOD co-manager John Evans blamed a loss off heads after his side squandered a 3-0 half-time lead to fall to a 4-3 defeat at Swindon Supermarine.
The Nailsworth side appeared to be coasting thanks to a brace from the prolific Duncan Culley and a goal from Matt Bennett, but they simply fell apart in the second half.
Evans bemoaned: “That was shocking defending. We looked a different side in the second half and our heads went.”
The game also had a moment of real controversy. For their part Supermarine showed commendable spirit – but they should never had the opportunity.
In only the fourth minute Will Morford fired the ball across low and home defender Antonio allowed Matt Bennett to whip the ball of his toe and into the net in one movement.
Tim Haddock then smacked the underside of the bar with a cracking shot before Shortwood doubled the lead after 22 minutes. Hancock’s corner was headed back across goal by Jake Lee and Culley headed powerfully home.
However, Wood’s defence was caught by a long ball and Stanners rattled the post.
After 42 minutes Wood scored their third in bizarre circumstances. Keeper Warrell caught a cross cleanly and then appeared to kick out at Culley.
The referee immediately awarded a penalty and yellow carded Warrell. Culley sent him the wrong way from the spot but pulled his groin doing so and had to be replaced before the break.
The Mariners were quick out of the blocks for the second half and put Wood were under pressure but sub Lewis Sommers was put free only to be hauled back with Adams getting a yellow.
With 61 minutes gone Adams played a ball into space wide left and Hopper was allowed to nip in and fire past Tom King from a narrow angle. If that was sloppy worse was to come.
After 68 minutes a needless corner was headed home at the near post by Adams and two minutes later another corner was cleared only to the edge of the area. Shepherd sent a looping overhead kick back over everybody that dropped under the bar.
Shortwood had collapsed and Antonio had an effort cleared off the line when it looked easier to score before Marine scored their winner – and it was a nightmare goal to concede.
Another long ball appeared to be going out for a goal kick and everyone left it, except for Morse who chased and caught the ball inches before it ran out of play and crossed the ball over King. The ball rolled in at the far post off the unfortunate Ash Thomas.