Shortwood Utd Development 2-1 Cirencester Development 

SHORTWOOD Development picked up their second league win of the season on Saturday, deservedly beating Cirencester’s equivalent team.

Cirencester took the lead with just 10 minutes played when Dan Gudger raced onto a long ball by Robbie James, before finishing low past Will Pederick.

Shortwood dominated the rest of the half, and were inches from getting the equalizer on 20 minutes after a Peyton corner was agonisingly missed by Aliu.

Cirencester had penalty appeals turned down by the referee midway through the half, as Liam Meredith and Gudger went for a high ball at the back-post.

With about 20 minutes of the half to play, Bob Humphries’ through ball found Lomotey, who cutting in from the right, beat two defenders before smashing into the near top corner with his left foot.

Lomotey could have added a second two minutes later, but Meredith took the ball off his toe after Earle’s square ball, and keeper Persum easily gathered.

The only second half action of note, from either team, was a magnificent goal by Shortwood’s Chris Earle.

Aliu played a perfectly weighted ball over the Cirencester defence, and Earle only needed one touch to control before belting a half volley over the head of the surprised Persum.

Shortwood, perhaps through lack of fitness, or through lack of experience of being in the lead, struggled to keep possession in the last twenty minutes, but prevented the away side from making any clear chances in that period.