Sharks take a bite out of title charge (From Gazette Series)

Sharks take a bite out of title charge

Sharpness 2 Shortwood United Reserves 0

SHARPNESS rocked Northern Senior League Division One leaders Shortwood with an awesome showing that avenged their 5-1 drubbing in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

It was a hearty performance, with Sharks player-manger Dave Nash telling his side before the game: "If we are going to get anything out of this game we have to compete." And, right from the first whistle, that is exactly what the team did, matching the top of the table side in every department.

Sharpness actually defeated Shortwood 5-0 in the final of the Stroud Charity Cup at the end of last season, and this may have served as a motivator as Nash's men tore into their opposition.

Shortwood, who narrowly beat Cam Bulldogs 2-1 in the same charity competition last week, have led Division One for long periods, and led the table by four points going into the game, with Sharpness among the long chasing pack.

Throughout this match, the Sharks always seemed to be first to every challenge, stopping the young Shortwood side from settling into their rhythm, with Terry Gibbs again outstanding at the back.

The signs were positive from the very start. With twenty minutes gone, the home side took the lead as a good cross from the left by Brad Thomas found Duncan Thomas in space, and he rose to head home at the back post.

Ten minutes later, the same player nearly doubled the lead, hitting the outside of the post when well-placed.

Just before the break, Shortwood had a spell of good possession and clipped the bar with one half chance.

In the second half, Sharpness again showed great purpose, breaking at will, and with an hour to go the side had a great chance to double their lead. Another great run into the box from man of the match Paterson saw him upended by a defender in the box, only for Brad Thomas to hit the post with the resultant penalty.

Ricky Swift then headed over minutes later when it seemed harder to miss than score. With 15 minutes left, the killer second arrived after a good break through the middle by Nash, who set the tireless Mike Sherman free with a neat through ball.

Sherman then split the defence with a pass to Tom Paterson, who raced in on goal before smashing home a well-deserved second goal, which capped a fine day for the youngster.

Shortwood had no answer to the Sharks' dominance, with the home side limiting the visitors to long range efforts and remaining in control right up to the final whistle.

After the match, Sharks manager Nash said: "We showed great appetite today and we competed magnificently.

"We have now got to use this as our springboard for the rest of the season."