Previewing the FC Stratford v Shortwood United Clash…
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| THE FACILITIES AT THE HOME GUARD CLUB... |
The first competitive match to be played by FC at the Home Guard Club, Tiddington, sees a Division 1 clash between the ex-Midland League outfit under Danny Janes’ management and Shortwood United from Nailsworth in Gloucestershire.
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| MEADOWBANK, 2010... |
I was present at an FA Vase match at Meadowbank, Shortwood’s ground in 2010, when Barwell won 0-3 there on a pudding of a pitch. The story of my visit is posted below. Barwell lost in the Semi-finals of that season’s competition to Whitley Bay, although most observers reckoned that the Canaries ought to have at least made it to the Final.
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| SHORTWOOD & BARWELL EMERGE... |
This term, Shortwood have played a number of pre-season games since July began, losing home matches 2-3 v Sharpness then 2-5 to Fairford Town, before beating Tuffley Rovers 5-3. A 4-2 loss at Brimscombe was followed by a 1-1 draw v Lydney and a 3-4 win on the road at Bristol Telephones.
By beating Taverners 4-1, The Woods claimed the John Hannis Memorial Trophy on July 31st, the goals being scored by Luke Soule, Jacob Nowell, Dylan Miles and Kieran Marks.
LUKE SOULE...
A 2-1 defeat on Tuesday against a Gloucester City U23 team saw Nowell score again but I believe that City scored two spectacular goals to win the game.
FC Stratford have played four games during preparations which included a visit to St George’s Park for a day. I saw them lose 4-1 at Bishop’s Cleeve, although in truth, FC deserved better on that occasion. Ben Cox scored the goal…
BEN COX HAS SCORED AT BISHOP'S CLEEVE...
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| FC'S NEW 'KEEPER EDDIE COX... |
Since then, a 3-7 win at St Andrews was followed by a 2-2 draw at Rugby Town and a 2-7 success at Thame United Reserves.
A RECENT TEAM IMAGE FROM THE CLUB'S WEBSITE...
I did see a practice match at the Home Guard Club some weeks ago and a couple of images from that match appear below.
GOALS IN THE PRACTICE MATCH AT TIDDINGTON IN MAY:
TYRIKE RICHARDS (ABOVE) & DAN ATKINS (BELOW)...
My Only Visit To Shortwood…
(FA Vase Round 4, 2010)
Nailsworth nestled between two hills, like a rash in the depression between the humps of a camel and atop those humps perched two football grounds, Shortwood’s and Forest Green’s. They seemed so close that spare footballs might have been punted from one to another, if anybody had been so inclined. Meadowbank, Shortwood’s stadium, was fronted by an awkward turning into a car-park which could have been described as a hillside haven for caravan enthusiasts, for along the top of the field lay a line of caravans, some green with mould. Jokingly, I asked a Shortwood official if these were the executive boxes but my jest fell upon serious ears and he replied in the negative, explaining that they brought in rent for the club. That put me in my place…
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| FOREST GREEN... |
WHERE'S MY CARAVAN?
Barwell’s team coach floundered at the entrance to the car-park and a fan volunteered advice to the driver that he should enter the gateway forwards, rather than reversing at such a tight angle from such a narrow lane. I watched in spellbound fascination as the vehicle twisted and turned into its final resting position in midfield, as it were.
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| COACH TROUBLE... |
The neat stadium was bereft of its Christmas card snow but after lying under water just twenty-four hours earlier, the pitch had recovered somewhat, mutating from a moat into a sponge pudding overnight. Lots of yellow and green scarves brightened the dull winter landscape, as Barwell’s fans added colour to the extravaganza. There was an air of expectancy, the strong tea I ordered came in a Starbuck’s mug, despite my then allegiance to Costa and the lean, mean Nick Green led out Barwell to do battle in the ‘Wood.
The locals had been friendly enough and welcoming thus far, even the groundsman, whose main complaint before the game was, “Reading Town don’t even serve hot food…” Unimpressed by his random remark, I displayed my best “Really? You’re joking!” expression of wide eyes and open mouth, whilst sidling away quickly. Odd then, that this same fellow vilified the match referee in a heavy rant on the Shortwood Forum. Ah, the truth behind the false smile…
Rather emotional refereeing, added to the lifeless pitch, sapped a good deal of excitement from the mistake-littered game, although Francino Francis’ audition for the 2012 Olympic Gymnastics Squad in the 44th minute: a high dive-roll with tuck, did entertain briefly and was certainly convincing enough to earn a penalty.
Nick Green launched the diminutive Shortwood, short-legged winger from the pitch like a pilot being ejected from his cockpit but at the final whistle, spectators clutched their chunky scarves and went home for tea, leaving the warming-down visiting players whooping and hollering like rodeo riders after a decent buck.
A daunting trip to Devon and Willand Rovers lay ahead for Barwell, after a 0-3 victory in front of a congregation of 197…
Back to the future...
Both teams will be looking to start well but FC have another home game upcoming, against my friends from Newent Town next Wednesday…
Full coverage of the match will be HERE from Sunday morning…
The Mowdog…
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