AFAN LIDO 1-1 WELSHPOOL (7-6 Pens)
Match report by Peter Reynolds

Well we made it to the Final, we are the second Welsh League side to reach the final, Barry Town being the first when they beat Cardiff City at the Millennium Stadium in the 1993-94 season.

Our first effort on goal came after 5 minutes when John Felton crossed for Ian Jones but his shot was high and wide. After 8 minutes a Shaun O'Leary corner was met beyond the far post by Karl Lewis but he leant back in his shot and sent it high over the bar. We continued to take the game to Welshpool and after 11 minutes Ian fed Craig Jones whose shot was turned behind for another corner. Karl Lewis got his head to the corner but it was headed away for yet another corner. There was an amazing sequence in the Welshpool penalty area after 24 minutes, it resembled a ping pong match when a number of our shots were blocked and the ball was eventually cleared. On 26 minutes a Liam shot was fumbled by the Welshpool keeper but there was no-one near enough to turn the rebound in. We then had a free kick for a foul on Ian, Steve Parry took the free kick but Karl Lewis headed wide. Then disaster and completely against the run of play Welshpool scored. A poor defensive header was picked up and passed to Aden Shannon who scored from the edge of the area giving Brian no chance. We hit back and forced another corner and maintained the pressure over a period of 5 minutes without finding the finishing touch. On 37 minutes Craig Jones fed Liam but his shot went straight at the keeper, within seconds we were back on the attack but as Ian went to shoot the ball bobbled and went harmlessly over the bar. Brian then distinguished himself with two terrific saves just before half time.

On 49 minutes John Felton was clear but adjudged offside, and two minutes later Ian was played in by John but his shot went wide. Again on 56 minutes Ian played John in but his shot was blocked by the keeper at the expense of a corner. We continued to pressurise Welshpool without finding the final ball. Disaster on 65 minutes when Craig Martin gave away a penalty by handling the ball. Steve Rogers took the penalty and sent it hopelessly wide. On 71 minutes came the goal, Phil Holmes who had gone on for Craig Jones after 68 minutes won a free kick in the middle of the goal about 23 yards out. Steve Parry struck the free kick and scored, although, Phil is claiming it went in off him! Still GAME ON. 
Paul Evans then won two important headers in our area and Welshpool finally put us under some pressure. In added on time Ian was clear but was forced wide and eventually shot wide and right on time Welshpool forced a corner but it was cleared to the sound of the full time whistle.

In the first five minutes of extra time great work by Liam found Ian but his cross was too near the keeper. Shaun O'Leary then found John Felton but the ball wouldn't come down cleanly and he was forced to head the ball which from 15 yards was straight at the keeper. Welshpool finally attacked but Brian was equal to it with a smart save. Right on half time the Welshpool keeper miskicked and the ball went straight to Phil Holmes who shot first time but just over the crossbar from 30 yards. 
John Felton, Ian Jones and Steve Parry combined well several times in the second period of extra time but neither side could find an opening in the half, and so to penalties. 
 
We took the first, Ian Jones, scored 1-0 
  They scored 1-1 
  John Felton was saved 1-1 
  They scored 1-2 
  Liam Mccreesh scored 2-2 
  They scored 2-3 
  Shaun O'Leary scored 3-3 
  They scored 3-4 
  Craig Martin scored 4-4 
  Brian Thomas SAVE 4-4 
 
Sudden Death Greg Hurley scored 5-4 
  They scored 5-5 
  Paul Evans saved 5-5 
  They put it wide 5-5 
  Steve Parry scored 6-5 
  They scored 6-6 
  Karl Lewis scored 7-6 
  Brian Saved 7-6 
 
Final Here WE COME 
 
Lido Heroes 
 
Brian Thomas Karl Lewis Steve Parry Craig Jones 
John Felton Craig Martin Liam McCreesh Paul Evans 
Ian Jones Shaun O'Leary Greg Hurley 
 
Subs Phil Holmes for Craig Jones 68 
  Matt Lavis not used 
  Chris Latham not used 
 
One Booking Craig Martin 65

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