Toolstation Western League

Buckland Athletic 4

Shortwood United 2

THERE is an adage in football that when you are down everything goes against you and this was certainly true at Buckland on Saturday, writes Jim Cunneen.

With Shortwood 2-0 up, and defending well, two decisions let Buckland back into the game and a further poor decision cost them a third goal. This was incredibly harsh on a Shortwood side that have had their struggles, but on this occasion did not deserve their fate. Shortwood gave debuts to Joe Tryner who was man-of-the-match, and Andreas Ali – a forward who scored Wood’s second goal.

Shortwood could have been two goals to the good as Buckland were slow out of the blocks and Ali forced keeper Griffiths into a fine double save and then turned a shot from Walker round the post. Walker took the resultant corner and Ryan Antell was on hand to score with a clever flick. After 18 minutes Shortwood went 2-0 up. Tryner’s low cross was turned home at the far post by Ali and Wood were delighted. Clarke made a fine double save to keep Buckland at bay before Buckland pulled one back after 30 minutes. Marcus Bebbington was hauled down and Buckland crossed for Lloyd Gardner to score. Worse was to come as just five minutes later Charlie Johanson levelled from an offside position. The referee immediately consulted his assistant and after a long discussion the goal was allowed to stand. Just before half-time their misery was complete with the award of a free-kick but credit to Richard Groves who followed up to score. Boss Jason Scrivens was booked in the aftermath for his protests.

Wood competed superbly in the second half, but might have fallen further behind if not from a tremendous block on the line by Callum Scrivens. Wood pushed and probed, but could not find a way through and with seven minutes to go Groves curled in a superb curling shot for 4-2 and Wood were left with a burning sense of injustice.

SHORTWOOD: Clarke, Scrivens C, Antell, Tryner, Bebbington, Gardner, Tustain, Ali, Walker (Scrivens J 85), Benchikh, Matthews

Shortwood entertain Bitton on Saturday, 3pm.