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The Evo-Stik League Southern Division One South & WestThe Evo-Stik League Southern Division One South. West

Sam Taylor - Man of the Match v Totton

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Des mereDithWelcome to Shortwood

Welcome to everyone from Larkhall this afternoon hope you have had a good trip up and have a safe one back.With all clubs having to play so many games in a short space of time let’s hope it doesn’t take its toll on the players from both sides which stops this afternoon’s game being a good one to watch!After last Saturday’s game where we only had the bare 11, which was a fantastic team performance and a deserved victory, we should have players back from illness and unavailability. This will hopefully in turn help us to rest the tired ones when we need to, which will be a relief to all of us.

Touching on last week’s performance I couldn’t be more proud of the whole team for the way that they went about their duties and stuck to the plan we set out beforehand and the result was fully deserved without a doubt in my mind. A big thanks also goes to the ones that travelled and the support given throughout the whole journey there and back, this was very much appreciated from both the players and staff.Here’s hoping for another good game this afternoon for you all to enjoy,Thanks

Des

THE TEAMS TODAY

SHORTWOOD UNITED LARkHALL ATHLETIc F. c. MANAGER: DES MEREDITH MANAGER: PHIL BATER

ASSISTANT MANAGER: cHRIS BURNS ASSISTANT MANAGER: NEIL ARNDALE

PHYSIO: LIz SPRATT PHYSIO: kIERAN MODEN

kIT MANAGER: ROB YORk

cOLOURS: RED AND WHITE cOLOURS: ALL BLUE. Gk: GREEN OR PALE YELLOW

HARRY PIckERING (Gk) 1 SHAUN SEMMENS (Gk)

RYAN MEREDITH 2 JOHN ELLIOTT

RIcH THWAITE 3 MASON WINTERRYAN THWAITE 4 GEORGE kING

BEN PRIcTOR 5 MIkE BAkER (c)ALEx kIBBLE 6 JOSH JONES

JAck FREEMAN 7 ALEx LAMBERTSAM TAYLOR 8 MATT BRITTON

NIck HUMPHREYS 9 GREG PEELYESH LOMOTEY 10 JOE TUMELTY

WILL HAWES 11 AYSA cORRIck

JORDAN MORRIS 12 kAILAN GOULDLEWIS FOGG 14 MATT GUY

DAN LANDER 15 NEIL ARNDALE

HARRY BURNS 16 GERAINT BATER

Referee: : Edward Turner Assistants: David Nicholson and Daniel Frizzell

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George Burton (Gk)

George is currently at Hartpury. He comes with experience of the Southern league football having played at Paulton Rovers last season and is a safe pair of hands between the sticks for us.

Ryan Thwaite (Defender)Age 23

Ryan rejoins the club after 2 seasons away , Good all round player that has settled back quickly , with the ability to play several positions he will be a good addition to the squad

Alex kibble (Midfield) Age 24

Alex has joined us after being asked to have a look with a view to stepping up levels and has adapted well , confident on the ball and fits in to how we want to play .

Ryan Meredith (Midfield) Age 26

Ryan has made his way through the development side into the senior squad this season . Equally comfortable in Defence as in midfield and will be a good addition

Ben Prictor (Defender) Age 27

Ben joins us with plenty of experience at this level with 2 seasons at Cirencester in Southern Premier under his belt . Played in Hellenic premier last season whilst recovering from a knee injury , and now feels ready to step up a level once again .

Sam Taylor( Midfield)

Sam joins us from Paulton Rovers, a player that will chip in with his fair share of goals from midfield as well as creating too.

Player profiles: Shortwood UnitedRhys Lovett (Goalkeeper) - Rhys is a second year professional with Cheltenham Town and has been loaned to us for the entire season, a technically ex-cellent keeper with great distribution and handling skills he is hoping that game time with Shortwood will help propel his professional career.

Andy Lewis (Defence) – An excellent signing from near rivals Yate Town. He is a strong centre back, with plenty of Southern League experience with Cinderford Town, who also has ability to also get the ball down and play.

Nick Humphreys (Midfield) – In his fifth season with the club and now established in the first team after spending his first two in the reserves. An attacking left back or midfielder, strong and good in the air.

Liam Meredith (Midfield) – A strong midfield-er making a bid for a regular first team place. Was top scorer for the reserves last year and their player of the year

Nick Peare (Midfield) - Joined this season from Longwell Green. Previous clubs were Taunton and Swindon Supermarine. Pre-ferred position is centre half but can play anywhere on the left hand side.

Sam Mendes (Midfield) – A product of the Cheltenham Town Youth set up, Sam unfortunately got a bad injury when on the verge of a professional contract last Janu-ary. He is a very talented midfielder with excellent tech-nical ability. Sam did spend pre-season with Gloucester City and is now looking to getting back into a run of games at first team level.

Ed Weeks (Defence) - A strong versatile central de-fender who has previously had spells with Taunton and Tiverton Town. Ed is currently studying at Hart-pury College and has been on the Shortwood radar for some time after overcoming a knee injury.

Nathan Marks (Defence) – 18 year old Nathan is a local Stroud lad having attended Maidenhill School in Stonehouse. He has been with Swindon Town but on his release snapped up by Shortwood. A comfortable, quick right back, Nathan has al-ready proved his reliability defensively during pre season.

Richard Thwaite (Defender) Rich joins us from Slimbridge, and will be a good addition to the squad. Is a strong and quick defender who will Give us good options in both penalty areas .

Harry Pickering (Gk) Age 19

Harry has joined us on loan from Forest Green Rovers having been signed by them from Port Vale , Harry made several appearances on the bench for Vale and has good experience at this level having played for Kidsgrove Athletic on loan .

Will Hawes (striker)Will is one that is looking to make the step up from the Development squad this year and get a foot in the door, technically the best in the club.

Liam Meredith (Forward) captain Age 27Liam is the final member of last seasons squad that has stayed with the club this year . He will be hoping to get a consistent run in a position that suits him best in the team this year where he can make an impact.

Ashley Davies Joins us from Tuffley Rovers , versatile midfielder/ defender which will be a good addition to the squad with his strength and energy , will also contribute goals.

Jack Freeman (Midfield) Age 18

Jack is another one who has stayed with the club from last seasons squad . Jack finished last season well and if he carries the form forward to this season he will be a good member of the squad.

chris Burns (Assistant Manager /coach )Chris has had great playing experience at a professional level where he played at clubs such as Portsmouth , Swansea , Bournemouth and Northampton, as well as a more local level for Cheltenham , Forest Green and Gloucester City. His coaching experience abroad in Spain and at Cheltenham will be a big plus for the squad to learn from and will be a big asset to the club.

Des Meredith (Manager)Des steps up to manage to 1st team this season after managing the reserves for 5 years and gaining back to back promotions from the Northern Senior league to where the Development side play now in Hellenic Division 1. Having played at the club for a long time previously Des knows the style of football the club like to play and watch, and together with Chris they will endeavour to get players to enjoy their football and build for the future.

Player profiles: Shortwood UnitedRhys Lovett (Goalkeeper) - Rhys is a second year professional with Cheltenham Town and has been loaned to us for the entire season, a technically ex-cellent keeper with great distribution and handling skills he is hoping that game time with Shortwood will help propel his professional career.

Andy Lewis (Defence) – An excellent signing from near rivals Yate Town. He is a strong centre back, with plenty of Southern League experience with Cinderford Town, who also has ability to also get the ball down and play.

Nick Humphreys (Midfield) – In his fifth season with the club and now established in the first team after spending his first two in the reserves. An attacking left back or midfielder, strong and good in the air.

Liam Meredith (Midfield) – A strong midfield-er making a bid for a regular first team place. Was top scorer for the reserves last year and their player of the year

Nick Peare (Midfield) - Joined this season from Longwell Green. Previous clubs were Taunton and Swindon Supermarine. Pre-ferred position is centre half but can play anywhere on the left hand side.

Sam Mendes (Midfield) – A product of the Cheltenham Town Youth set up, Sam unfortunately got a bad injury when on the verge of a professional contract last Janu-ary. He is a very talented midfielder with excellent tech-nical ability. Sam did spend pre-season with Gloucester City and is now looking to getting back into a run of games at first team level.

Ed Weeks (Defence) - A strong versatile central de-fender who has previously had spells with Taunton and Tiverton Town. Ed is currently studying at Hart-pury College and has been on the Shortwood radar for some time after overcoming a knee injury.

Nathan Marks (Defence) – 18 year old Nathan is a local Stroud lad having attended Maidenhill School in Stonehouse. He has been with Swindon Town but on his release snapped up by Shortwood. A comfortable, quick right back, Nathan has al-ready proved his reliability defensively during pre season.

Jordan Morris

Jordan joins us from Forest Green on a season long loan , has pace as well as a good left foot and is versatile in a number of positions that will give us options throughout the season.

Available now at mitre.com/deltaThe Mitre Delta - ready to make history again.

The Legend Returnsmitre.com/delta

NON LEAGUE PAPER FULL PAGE 263X321MM.indd 1 07/07/2017 09:22

LarkhaLL athLetic F. c. history

Larkhall Athletic Football Club dates from 1914. In 1951 the club regained access to its home at Plain Ham after it had been turned over to allotments during WWII. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength, achieving the status in 2004 as a Premier Club and in 2008 as an FA Charter Standard Community Club, the first club to achieve this recognition in Bath. This status was renewed in 2011 and 2014. Initially the club rented the Plain Ham match by match. It offered a sloping pitch, a timber hut for changing and a single tin bath for washing, a nearby standpipe providing the water source. In 1962 a cricket team was formed and the club became Larkhall Sports Club. Around the same time the then Bath City Council granted the club a long lease on the ground at Plain Ham. A small club house was erected in 1965. In 1975 the main football pitch at Plain Ham was levelled to create a pitch suitable for senior football. In 1983 the club house and changing rooms were doubled in size and in 1989 the club purchased adjoining land at Pow’s Field which today is used by the Youth Section and the Sunday Veterans team.In 1996, aided by a Lottery Grant, the club further extended and improved its club house. In 2004 Plain Ham was re-levelled, drainage improved and floodlights installed, all with the help of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund. At the same time the car park was extended and new floodlights installed on the training area. In 2005, with tremendous financial support from the local community and members past and present, the club completed the purchase of Plain Ham from the Bath and North East Somerset Local Authority.In 2010 the battle with drainage of Plain Ham was once again a priority and in 2011 the hard standing was further extended to completely surround the pitch. At the same time new protective fencing was installed in the bottom corner of the pitch, new safety rails were constructed in front of the stand, pitch side rails and posts were refurbished, a turnstile was created at the entrance and new lighting was connected. To address ongoing drainage problems the pitch was gravel banded from across the pitch. Funding from the Football

Stadia Improvement Fund helped towards this work. To meet FA grading requirements, applications for funding to Sport England and Football Stadia Improvement Fund were successful, securing 50% of the cost of the project to construct new changing rooms and to extend and update the clubhouse to provide improved hospitality facilities for spectators and visiting officials. Work started in December 2012 and the formal opening of the new facilities was celebrated with guest of honour the Mayor of Bath, Councillor Malcolm Lees, in August 2013. In late 2013, inspired by recent developments on and off the field, friends of the club contributed to more facility improvements that had been identified in order to satisfy Grade E of the FA Grading requirements, including additional seats, more covered standing, improved turnstiles and new outside toilets. This work was completed to enable the club to accept promotion in our double winning centenary year. Further facility improvements, including a new ground boundary fence, pitch perimeter infill and a medical room have enabled us to satisfy the Grade D requirements. Half of the funding for this work came from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund.In 2014 the club celebrated its centenary year with gusto. Performances on the field provided an appropriate backdrop, the first-team manager was selected as manager of the year by the Western League, we were treated to a marvellous reception in the Guildhall Bath hosted jointly by the Mayor of Bath and the Chairman of BANES Council, and returned to the Guildhall for a Centenary Dinner in September 2014. On the pitch the first team have a long list of honours, including: the Somerset Senior Cup in seasons in 1975-76 and 2003-04, the Western League First Division Championship in 1988-89 and 2008-09, the Western League Premier Division Championship in 2010-11 and the Western League double - Premier Division Championship and Les Phillips Cup – in 2013-14. The Larks reached the last 16 of the FA Vase three seasons in succession; in 2012-13 and 2013-14 we lost to the eventual finalists of the

LarkhaLL athLetic F. c. history continued

LarkhaLL athLetic F. c. Pen Pics

MANAGEMENT

Phil Bater – manager. Phil enjoyed a tremendous playing career at higher levels, including Bristol Rovers, Brentford, Wrexham and Cardiff City, as well as turning out for Wales u-21s. He has been a successful manager and coach at a number of clubs, notably Bristol Rovers, Mangotsfield United, and Clevedon. He joined the Larks as first team manager in January 2017. Neil Arndale – assistant manager. Arnie joined the Larks as Geraint Bater’s number two from Mangotsfield United in 2015 on the back of a superb career at Bristol Rovers and Cirencester Town (and the England u16 and u18 teams).kieran Moden – physio. Kieran has a degree in Sports Rehabilitation from UWE and FA qualifications in Intermediate Trauma and Medical Management in Football. Prior to joining the Larks he had worked for Bristol Rovers and Mangotsfield United.Rob York – kit manager. Rob has been a loyal fixture at Plain Ham for many years, as a player, assistant manager of the Reserves, and now kit manager for the 1st team. He knows both the club PLAYERS

Shaun Semmens (26) Goalkeeper. Shaun signed for the Larks in January 2017 from Mangotsfield United, having started his career playing for Godolphin Atlantic in Cornwall. He was awarded man of the match twice in his first 5 games for the Larks. SPONSORED BY TRANSITION LARKHALL

competition. In 2014 we gained promotion to the Southern League. Our first season was a huge success and we reached the play-off final where we narrowly lost out 3-2 to Stratford Town. We also enjoyed a wonderful FA Cup campaign defeating Merthyr Town and Truro City away before losing in a replay with Gosport Borough from the FA Conference. In 2015-16 the first team finished the season in the top half of the Southern League Division 1 South and West table, had another fine FA Cup run including taking Conference side Havant and Waterlooville to a replay, and reached the final of the Somerset FA Premier Cup for the first time in club history. Elsewhere, the Reserves just missed out on promotion to the Premier Division of the Somerset County Football League and the Ladies team capped a successful league season by retaining the Somerset FA Senior Cup for a second consecutive year.In 2008 Larkhall Sports Club was recognised as the BANES Club of the Year by the Chairman of BANES Council. In December 2011 we were selected by our local paper, the Bath Chronicle, as the local sports team of the year; quite an honour given the richness of the local competition. In

2011, two of the club’s longest serving officials were recognised by the Somerset County FA, receiving the award of Somerset County FA Volunteer of the Year and a Somerset County FA Long Service Award. In 2012 the Somerset FA added Clive Burge to our hall of fame by recognising his ‘Outstanding Contribution to Community Football’. In 2014 the club was once again selected by the local paper for an award, this time as Senior Team of the Year. In July 2015 we were honoured to receive FA Charter Standard Community Club of the year award from the Somerset FA. This season we are looking to build on the success and enjoyment of our first three seasons in the Southern League while recognising the very stern challenge that this will present. We offer to all of our visitors a very warm welcome to what is probably the prettiest ground in the country.Details of all sections can be found through the club’s web-site:

h t t p : / / w w w . p i t c h e r o . c o m / c l u b s /larkhallathleticfc/. We are also on Twitter: @larkhallafc (first team); @larkhallALFC (Ladies); @LarkhallYouthFC (Youth Section).

Neil Arndale (33) Defender. Versatile full-back/defensive midfielder Arnie joined the Larks from Mangotsfield United in 2015 on the back of a superb career at Bristol Rovers and Cirencester Town. Arnie is our assistant manager. Mike Baker (25) Defender. A left-footed centre-half with a big presence, Mike transferred to the Larks from Yate Town this season. A schoolboy at Bristol Rovers, his other previous clubs include Mangotsfield United and Odd Down. Matt Guy (27) Defender. Matt is an imperious central defender who joined the Larks from Yate Town last season. Previous clubs include Odd Down, Longwell Green, and Team Bath. SPONSORED BY TOM HILLJosh Jones (22) Defender. An imposing centre-half, Josh joined the Larks from Mangotsfield United. He has also played for Clevedon and Cribbs. Mason Winter (21) Defender. A right-sided, pacy full back who began his career at Bristol Rovers Academy, Mason is a 2017 signing who last played for Cribbs FC. Geraint Bater (37) Midfielder. Bates is a central midfielder with a fine pedigree who started out at Bristol Rovers and has also played for Newport County as well as a number of Southern League sides. He become assistant manager in November 2015, and was first team manager from October 2016-January 2017.Matt Britton (23) Midfield. ‘Ginge’ is a robust presence in the centre of the midfield who can also fill in at central defence. He joined the Larks from Western League side Cadbury Heath pre-season and has scored some stunning goals to date.John Elliott (19) Midfield/full back. Known as Jake, a recent signing who is a sought-after young player with loads of promise. Jake transferred from Mangotsfield United in January having had trials at a couple of league clubs such as Wolves. Alex Lambert (26) Midfield. A fast and strong left-sided winger, Alex joined the Larks last season from Brislington where he featured in the side that reached the FA Cup 1st round. Previous clubs also include Mangotsfield United and Yate Town.Aysa corrick (23). Forward/midfield. Aysa is a winger of tremendous power and pace. He signed for the Larks from Evesham United having been the Hellenic League top scorer in 2017 with Highworth Town. kailan Gould (20) Striker. A natural goal-scorer, Kailan played for Conference side Nuneaton Borough at the age of only 18, and has also featured for Weston-super-Mare. He signed for the Larks from Mangotsfield United having had spells at Yate Town and Paulton Rovers. George king (21) centre forward/midfield. George is a promising young attacker who joined the Larks from Cribbs FC having had prior spells at Weston-super-Mare and Yate Town. He scored on his competitive debut for the Larks. Isaac Pearce (19) Striker. Isaac is the Larks’ most recent signing who has been on a professional contract at Fulham FC with loan spells at Bath City and Bristol Rovers. He made an immediate impression on his debut at Paulton by scoring two fine goals. Greg Peel (23) centre forward. Greg re-joined the Larks from Evesham United in October 2017. He is a formidable presence in the penalty area, guaranteed to unsettle defenders. Joe Tumelty (24) Forward/midfield. An incisive goal-scorer, strong in possession, Joe was Supporters’ Player of the Year in 2015 and made a welcome return to Plain Ham from Hereford last season.

SPONSORED BY HOLcOMBE INVESTMENTS

LarkhaLL athLetic F. c. Pen Pics continued

THE HISTORY OFSHORTWOOD UNITED

Shortwood United Football Club was formed in 1900 and since then have played at 4 different grounds, Nailsworth Playing Field, Table Land, Wallow Green and finally at our current ground, Meadowbank.

The club has been at Meadowbank since 1972, and includes an all weather training area opened by the late Ted Croker. Gradual improvements over the years culminated in a major enhancement in 2009 to meet ground grading criteria for any future promotions.

League football was commenced in the Stroud League where following continued success during the 1970s promotion was gained to the Northern Senior and then the Gloucestershire County League.Promotion to the Hellenic league was achieved in 1981 only to be relegated in our first season but finishing runners up the following year ensured promotion straight back. In 1983 we won the Hellenic Division One Cup and GFA Trophy and in the following year won the Hellenic League. It was a further

six years until success was realised again when the treble of League winners, GFA Trophy and Stroud Charity Cup was completed.

The 2007/08 season started a resurgence in Shortwood’s fortunes in finishing 5th in the league and winning the supplementary cup, defeating Ardley 4-2 in the final. The subsequent season pushed our success even further when following a good run in the FA Cup and semi finalists in the League Cup, we pressed the eventual Champions Hungerford to the final day of the season where we lost out on goal difference after amassing 99 pts and scoring 99 goals. Shortwood’s fine form continued into the next season when they again finished second in the league to Almondsbury, and runners up in the GFA Trophy again to Almondsbury, had good FA Cup and Vase runs and reached the final of the Floodlit cup. Having lost the away leg 3-0 to Reading Town they produced one of the most exciting comebacks and entertaining matches ever seen at Meadowbank where the score remained at 0-0 till the 67th minute when

the deadlock was broken and Shortwood ran out 5-0 winners (AET).

Shortwood’s league campaign in 2011 was a disappointment by their own high standards, but more silverware was added in the shape of the GFA Trophy after a 1-0 win over Tuffley Rovers in the final.

2011-12 season, however, was pivotal in the Club’s history! Not only did they reach the quarter final of the FA Vase, they also reached the final of the Hellenic League Floodlit Cup and the GFA Trophy Final.Most important was their league position where they finished 2nd by 1 point behind Oxford City Nomads. With Nomad’s not applying for promotion, and with Shortwood filling all the relevant criteria, they were promoted to the Southern League for the first time in their history!

The 2012-13 season was again a successful one. Following a disappointing early exit from the FA cup the club had a good run in the FA Trophy including a

magnificent away victory at premier league side Weymouth on the way. In their first season in the Southern League they finished a creditable eighth position.

The 2013-14 season saw Shortwood progress further in the FA Cup than ever before! Early wins over Egham and Aylesbury put them up against Conference South outfit Dorchester and a 1-0 away win, and a further 1-0 win at Didcot put them into uncharted waters of the fourth qualifying round where they drew Conference side Aldershot at Meadowbank. A late, but deserved, equaliser gave them a replay and a heroic 2-1 win sparked wild celebrations. A home draw pitted Shortwood against League 1 side Port Vale in front of a record crowd of 1,247 plus a live television audience courtesy of BT Sport. Shortwood bowed out – but with the plaudits their cup run earned ringing in their ears.

The league season was also highly successful with a sixth placed finish, one point outside the play-off positions.

2014-15 failed to reach the heights of the previous season with many players

moving on to higher things but for most of the season a play-off place looked possible until a decline in form towards the end of the season resulted in an 11th place finish.

2015 -16 continued Shortwood’s continued stability in the Southern League as they finished the season 7th in the table with 78 points and the end of the season saw the end of an era as joint Manager John Evans retired after 20

seasons involvement with Shortwood – and the club movedforward with Alex Sykes now in sole charge. 2016-17 Was a strange season with the Wood exiting the FA Cup and the FA Trophy at the first hurdle and showing inconsistent league form but despite that they managed to finish a more than respectable 9th. Paul ‘Des’ Meredith took over the management reins at the start of season 2017-18.

evo-Stik League tableShortwood United vs Larkhall Athletic F. C.

Pl HW HD HL AW AD AL W D L F A Diff Pts AdjTaunton Town 37 15 3 1 12 6 0 27 9 1 87 37 50 90 0Salisbury 37 9 6 4 12 2 4 21 8 8 99 50 49 71 0Wimborne Town 37 11 2 5 9 4 6 20 6 11 88 54 34 66 0Bristol Manor Farm 37 11 6 2 8 3 7 19 9 9 75 51 24 66 0Swindon Supermarine 37 12 3 3 7 5 7 19 8 10 74 50 24 65 0Evesham United 38 9 4 6 10 3 6 19 7 12 64 52 12 64 0Didcot Town 37 11 4 3 7 5 7 18 9 10 79 59 20 63 0AFC Totton 38 11 2 7 7 5 6 18 7 13 63 47 16 61 0Cirencester Town 38 12 2 6 6 5 7 18 7 13 83 70 13 61 0Bideford 35 7 5 6 9 4 4 16 9 10 64 48 16 57 0Winchester City 37 11 3 4 5 6 8 16 9 12 69 56 13 57 0Yate Town 37 6 7 5 7 6 6 13 13 11 69 69 0 52 0Kidlington 35 5 7 4 8 3 8 13 10 12 66 55 11 49 0Mangotsfield United 39 6 5 9 4 5 10 10 10 19 48 78 -30 40 0Larkhall Athletic 36 4 5 9 7 0 11 11 5 20 60 71 -11 38 0Cinderford Town 33 3 6 5 5 6 8 8 12 13 50 57 -7 36 0Paulton Rovers 36 4 5 11 5 2 9 9 7 20 48 64 -16 34 0North Leigh 34 5 3 8 3 4 11 8 7 19 41 68 -27 31 0Shortwood United 33 4 5 6 3 5 10 7 10 16 53 97 -44 31 0Slimbridge 37 4 2 14 4 5 8 8 7 22 49 103 -54 31 0Barnstaple Town 38 2 3 14 5 5 9 7 8 23 50 89 -39 29 0Bishops Cleeve 36 4 2 13 2 1 14 6 3 27 36 90 -54 2 0

Tuesday 17th April 2018 Wimborne h 19.45 SL S&WThursday 19th April 2018 Evesham h 19.45 SL S&WSaturday 21st April 2018 Barnstable* a 15.00 SL S&WTuesday 24th April 2018 kidlington * h 19.45 SL S&WThursday 26th April 2018 kidlington * a 19.45 SL S&WSaturday 28th April 2018 cirencester h 15.00 SL S&Wtba Bishops cleeve h 15.00 SL S&W

FOrthCOmiNG FiXtUreS

First team

* Coach available for supporters - see website* one of these games may be changed by the League to bring forward the Cleeve game to be played before April 28th. This would be to fulfill a condition laid down by the FA when extending the season.

Keep in touch@ShortwoodUtdFc and/or @Jimcunneen if you have twitter

If you are not twitter minded then just send a text to 07714661797 with your name, and ADD ME and you will be added to the Wood Text Distribution list.

Or look at the website: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/shortwoodunited

SL S&W 28th January 2017

AFC Totton 2 Shortwood United 0

MatchReport

Southern League South, West divisionSUPERB WOOD WIN AT TOTTON!

AFC totton 1 Shortwood United 2A combination of illness and unavailability led to Shortwood travelling to play off hopefuls Totton with the bare eleven players and those eleven players were heroes all. “Every single one of them worked their socks off and they thoroughly deserved this terrific result. They were out on their feet by the end of the game but determined not to give an inch but this was by no means a lucky result. We played to a plan, let Totton have possession in areas where they could not harm and restricted them in space where it mattered” These were a delighted Paul Meredith’s comments a Shortwood pulled off one of their best results of the season. It was a difficult task to choose a star player over the others, given their performances, but in the end Sam Taylor just shaded for the award.Kibble tested keeper Murphy with a couple of early free kicks and also fired a shot well wide as Wood made a bright start but had a let off when Feeney chipped straight into Pickering’s hands when through. Totton took the lead after 22 minutes when Jack Smith rose at the far post to head home a corner. Young fired wide of the far post but generally Wood restricted them to long range efforts. When Wood did get forward they looked dangerous and twice Humphreys and then Hawes

fizzed low crosses across which their colleagues just could not get the touch to knock home.Totton started the second half brightly and Yong fired over but Wood were beginning to find more space as Totton became more careless. After 53 minutes Totton gave the ball away easily and Hawes found Nick Humphreys whose instant shot flew low into the net. Totton were shocked and just 7 minutes later Sam Taylor broke up an attack and his pass found Jack Freeman. Freeman advanced and hit a fine shot from 20 yards into the bottom corner. His fellow players engulfed him immediately. Buoyed by this success Shortwood redoubled their efforts to keep Totton away and although they pushed forward Wood were not prepared to give an inch. At the final whistle it was gratifying that the Totton crowd were appreciative of the supreme effort the Wood had put in as they were warmly applauded from the field.

Team: Pickering, Ryan Meredith, Prictor, Lander, Ryan Thwaite, Taylor, kibble, Freeman, Lomotey, Humphreys, Hawes

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SL S&W 28th January 2017

AFC Totton 2 Shortwood United 0“It is always good to get a win at Larkhall – especially when we are not at our best and we could have won by more in the end” That was Alex Sykes comment after this win at Larkhall on Wednesday evening. He then named Tom Moxham as man of the match – a decision completely justified as he had a fine game and his work rate was excellent. Alex Sykes shuffled the pack with so many games coming up and his rejigged side did not let him down.To be honest it was a strange game as in the first half especially Larkhall dominated for long periods and in the closing stages created, and missed, enough chances to have given the score line a much closer look.Wood had a goal ruled out for offside after only 3 minutes when Morford raced on to a Withington through ball to finish and the decision looked harsh. After that Larkhall pushed forward and Halford was lucky to escape without a booking for a late challenge. For all their possession, however, Larkahall’s final ball was poor and apart from grabbing a couple of low crosses Tom king was largely untroubled. Wood started to push forward more in the later stages of the half and took the lead with the most fortunate of goals. Larkhall conceded a free kick 20 yards out and central and Jake Lee’s shot hit a defender on the

end of the wall and rolled into the bottom corner with keeper Noice stranded.There was nothing fortunate about Wood’s second just before the break when Adam Price hit a stunning volley from 30 yards that dipped just under the bar. A magnificent strike!The game was virtually over as a contest within minutes of the restart. Mehew did well on the flank and cut the ball across to Nick Humphreys who let fly with a strong cross shot and Jake Lee was perfectly placed to divert the ball home.. Raynes clipped Tom King’s post with a fizzing shot and drove another shot straight into the keeper’s midriff but too many of their shots were way off target. Wood always looked dangerous when they went forward and supplied a stream of dangerous crosses into the box.In the last minute Jake Lee went on a surging run from his own half and forced Noice into a good save bettered by his reaction to keep out the rebound from Will Morford. The return game – abandoned and then postponed will finally be played on Wednesday 20th April at Meadowbank. 7.45

Team: king, Humphreys R, Humphreys N, Lewis, Halford, Moxham, Mehew, Price, Lee, Morford, Withington (Thomas 65)

Southern League South and West Division cLEAN SHEET AT LARkHALL

Larkhall town 0 Shortwood United 3

MetBefore

April 2016

SL S&W 2nd January 2017

Shortwood United 1 Paulton Rovers 3

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SL S&W 28th January 2017

AFC Totton 2 Shortwood United 0

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pushes on to represent his CountryPlease help harry as he

As many of you know Harry Ash is a staunch Shortwood supporter and also writes the match reports for Shortwood’s home games.. Harry is asking for your help and the club is more than happy to try and support him..Harry says:In May 2018, I am climbing Pen y Fan on crutches. It is the highest mountain in southern Britain, at 886 metres. I am raising money for the England Amputee Football Association, a charity which gives amputees an opportunity to play for one of seven current clubs in England, as well as (potentially) the national side. At the moment I am in the provisional England squad of eighteen players, soon to be made thirteen, but there is a chance for those left out to

represent the Development squad this year. The funds are needed for flights, accommodation, and everything else which is usually payed for by a governing body. The England team will be participating in friendlies against Ireland in Dublin, the USA and Haiti in Houston, as well as the Ampfutbol Cup in Poland in September, and the World Cup in Mexico in October and November. The Development squad will play friendlies against Scotland and travel to Athens to play Greece. I need the funds by the end of May, whichever squad I am selected for.Thank you very much.

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HERE'S TO SUCCESS IN THE 2017

Directors:Ian Sutton * Tim Dipple * Julian Owens

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SPONSORS OF SHORTWOOD UNITED FC

HERE'S TO SUCCESS IN THE 2017 - 2018 SEASON

Directors:Julian Owens * Gavin Hollywell *

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Telephone: 01453-822818 Fax: 01453-828714

E-mail info@gcsd.co.uk Website: http://www.gcsd.co.uk

Clubhouse and Social: (01453) 833936 email shortwoodfc@btinternet.comFootball Secretary Mark Webb 07812842724

Treasurer Paul Benneyworth 07976357093 email shortwoodfc@btinternet.comPress Officer Jim Cunneen 07714661797 email jimcunneen1951@btinternet.com

Football Club Website www.pitchero.com/clubs/shortwoodunited/Meadowbank, Shortwood, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire GL6 0SJ

Programme editor: Paul Benneyworth (email shortwoodfc@btinternet.com)Match photographs courtesy of Brian Rossiter and match reports by Jim Cunneen

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2016 - 2017

clubhouse and Social: (01453) 833936 email shortwoodfc@btinternet.comFootball Secretary Mark Webb 07812 842724

Treasurer Rebecca Benneyworth 07973 155810 email shortwoodfc@btinternet.comPress Officer Jim Cunneen 07714 661797 email jimcunneen1951@btinternet.com

Football club Website www.pitchero.com/clubs/shortwoodunited/Meadowbank, Shortwood, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire GL6 0SJ

All photographs in this programme, unless otherwise stated, are courtesy of Brian RossiterProgramme editor Stuart Richards email shortwoodutdprogramme@gmail.com

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