Uhlsport Hellenic Premier.

Shortwood United 4, Fairford Town 0.

SHORTWOOD made it nine consecutive league wins with this comfortable success over struggling Fairford at Meadowbank on Monday afternoon, writes Jim Cuneen.

Shortwood were 3-0 up at the interval, by which time the game was over as a contest, and they added another goal in the second period.

With league leaders Oxford City Nomads dropping points in their goalless draw with Slimbridge, Shortwood closed the gap at the top to eight points, but they do have two games in hand.

Fairford started brightly themselves but Shortwood gradually applied pressure, although it was not until the 32nd minute that they were able to break the deadlock.

Liam Meredith took possession in midfield and threaded the ball through to TJ Bohane, who curled his shot inside the post from 20 yards.

Two minutes later, Jake Parrott sent a free kick over the wall and into the corner after Fairford keeper Adams had scythed down Slack.

Parrott turned provider for the third goal as his corner was headed powerfully home by Slack.

Fairford threatened briefly after the restart but it did not take Shortwood long to regain the initiative, especially after Fairford were reduced to ten men, Williams receiving a straight red card for an apparent elbow on Bohane.

Adams twice denied Haddock and then saved well from a Coates header but, with four minutes to go, Wood finally added the fourth.

Benneyworth hurled the ball into the box, Bohane helped it on and Braithwaite, in an effort to clear, headed past his own keeper from close range.