Football: Late Shortwood goal denies Almondsbury (Full match report) (From Gazette Series)

FTL Futbol Hellenic Premier Division: Shortwood United 2 Almondsbury Town 2

10:09am Thursday 3rd September 2009 in Sport

A 90TH MINUTE equaliser denied Almondsbury Town three points at fellow promotion hopefuls Shortwood in a highly charged game on Tuesday night.

Paul Weeks' men extended their unbeaten run to 20 games in all competitions and are currently third in the table, two points behind leaders Reading Town.

For long periods the play was fast and frenetic and there was little time to settle on the ball but Wood generally had the best of the early play.

Pete Macklin shot narrowly wide, James Singh had a goalbound effort diverted for a corner and then Singh was through one on one and shot across the keeper.

Ben John made his first fine save to parry the shot and then the defence smothered Andy Hoskins' effort as he followed in. Sahr Kabba shot just wide for the visitors before the game became niggly and disjointed to leave the scoreline blank at the break.

It did not take Wood long to take the lead in the second half. They forced a corner and Mike Green's cross was not dealt with by the visitors and Singh prodded home from close range.

John then defied Collins and Singh before Almondsbury were gifted a free kick just outside the Wood area.

Simon Gilbert scored his first goal of the season as he fired a dipping shot round the wall into the bottom corner.

John really came into his own and made a stunning save to deny Mike Green and a tip over from a Singh effort.

Almondsbury looked like winning when they broke at speed, Thomas parried a shot for Kacey Johnston swept the ball home.

John somehow saved another close range effort from Singh before Harry Ethridge and he fired in a tremendous shot.

Almondsbury host Kidlington on Saturday (3pm)