A BRACE of goals from Alexander Ethan Bell and Jake Rhodes handed Shortwood United all three points against FC Stratford as they moved up into fifth.

Rhodes found the back of the net just six minutes into the contest but Daniel Atkins pulled Stratford level.

The visitors were causing plenty of problems but Bell finished well on the counter-attack to give the hosts the lead at the break.

Shortwood improved after the interval and two goals inside three minutes sealed the victory.

After 52 minutes Bell made space down the left and his ball in to Rhodes was perfect, and Rhodes controlled it expertly and flashed a shot past Callum Monaghan in the Stratford goal.

In Wood’s next attack Kieran Marks was the supplier and Bell ran on with a classy low finish.

The Wood management rang the changes with the game won and the midfield and defence did everything that was asked of them.

Shortwood did encounter a scare after 65 minutes when Jacob Muir had to save and Orgest Pepa was thankfully there to clear his lines.

But ultimately, Wood looked comfortable with a performance that left manager smiling.