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Wallingford fell to a disappointing defeat to visitors Shortwood after a poor performance.
Chris Davies finished from close range after the Wallingford defence failed to cut out Ryan Preedy’s dangerous low cross. Ian Fenn then made an important block when Ben Pugh found room from 12 yards out. Wallingford failed to create much until ten minutes before half-time when Andrew Styles hit a brilliant looping long range effort which bounced off the crossbar with the keeper beaten. Shortwood keeper Jay Richings then gave the home side a great opportunity when he spilled a Steve McMahon cross. Abdouli Taha kept the ball in and beat Richings but a defender headed off the line. The ball was crossed straight back into the middle and after Taha missed the ball, Matt Bianchini drove the ball goalwards, but again the ball was cleared off the line. At the other end, meanwhile, Garry Clark made good saves from Preedy and Chris Phillips. Wallingford always looked capable of an equaliser, but half way through the second half disaster struck. Shortwood left-back Matt Bennett lofted in a deep cross from near the half-way line that deceived Garry Clark who had to scamper back and catch the ball as it headed towards the top corner. Clark, appeared to have just prevented the ball from sneaking over the line, but the linesman frantically flagged that the ball had crossed the line, to the protest of several Wallingford players. The home side threw players forward late on, but only succeeded in leaving gaps at the back for Shortwood to exploit on the counter attack. Substitute James Singh scuffed a sitter wide with just Clark to beat and then drilled another good chance just wide after a good run through the middle. In the final minutes Taha almost pulled a goal back when McMahon put him through on the left, but Richings made a brilliant save from close range. AFC Wallingford : Clark, Fenn, Parker (Touray 67), Ingram, Barlow, McMahon, Fellows, Styles, Bianchini, A.Taha, Z.Taha. subs not used: Shea, Hoey |
