SHORTWOOD are set for a thrilling finish to the season.

The Nailsworth side are right in the mix for the Calor League Division One South and West play-offs after one defeat in 20 games has lifted the Meadowbank outfit to just one point off the all-important top five spots with seven games of the season remaining.

They maintained their play-off charge with an emphatic 5-0 win beside the seaside at Clevedon Town on Saturday.

Despite a “distinctly average” first half performance in the words of joint boss Alex Sykes, Wood had more than enough to dispose of the lowly hosts at the Hand Stadium.

Shortwood started brightly but Clevedon missed a golden opportunity to take the lead after only four minutes when John Cant slipped and Kyle Thomas raced through but wasted his chance by curling the ball wide of Tom King’s goal.

It was Clevedon’s best chance of the game and they were made to pay for missing it within two minutes.

Ross Langworthy crossed the ball, Adam Price controlled it beautifully and the midfielder fired a fine low shot across keeper Kayne Mannings and into the bottom corner.

Shortwood enjoyed the bulk of possession but could not break through.

Just before the break Shortwood scored two goals in a minute and both of them were gems.

King launched the ball long and Langworthy flicked the ball past a defender and fired an unstoppable shot over Mannings but under the bar.

In their very next attack captain Jake Parrott put Culley through and he shot past Mannings to make the half-time score line 3-0 to the men from Meadowbank.

Shortwood were much more urgent in the second half-Sam Avery hammered the ball against the post, but had to wait until the 64th minute to grab the goal their play deserved.

Mannings, under pressure from Culley cleared the ball straight to Parrott who raced through and knocked the ball past the keeper as he advanced.

Finally in the 88th minute Culley charged down Mannings’s attempted clearance and knocked the ball into the empty net to complete the rout.

uJohn Evans' and Alex Sykes' side welcome Cinderford Town on Saturday, 3pm and entertain Cirencester Town on Tuesday, 7.45pm.