A very strong cross wind and a heavy pitch
meant constructive football went out of the window. Today was a day to battle
and we came away with a deserved point and almost bagged all three.
We were awarded a couple of early free kicks and Carl Payne combined with Karl
Lewis to give Corey Thomas a shooting opportunity but from the edge of the area
he shot straight at the keeper. Bettws first chance came when Rhys Williams
missed a through ball but Rory McCreesh was out quickly and dived at the
attacker's feet to remove the danger.
On 13 minutes we were caught at the back but from
a good position their 7 (Howard Morris) shot wide. Rory McCreesh was again in
action on 21 minutes when he saved from a close range header. We responded with
good interplay by Corey Thomas and Carl Payne but Scott McCoubrey strayed
offside and Bettws had a free kick. Just before the half hour a poor ball from
the Bettws midfield gave them their next opportunity as the ball stuck in the
mud allowing their attackers to get to it but Rory McCreesh again saved well
with Karl Lewis clearing the ball from the area. Just when it seemed we'd go in
all square we went behind, on another day we might have had a free kick before
they were awarded one 20 yards out in front of goal. Rory dived full length to
make an excellent save but he didn't hold the ball and they followed up to score
(Anthony Rawlins)
Four minutes into the second half we could
have levelled after Michael Waters found Carl Payne wide right, he played it
back to Paul Lenihan whose cross was headed over by Karl Lewis. Ian Turner then
took a free kick and found Scott McCoubrey in the area, the ball was played back
to Ian who made ground into the area and played a 1-2 but was then given
offside. On 65 minutes Bettws pleaded with the officials for a goal, it followed
a right wing corner and they had a free header beyond the far post, Rory made a
terrific save to his left and we cleared the ball. Their pleas fell on deaf ears
and within a minute we were level. Michael Waters crossed the ball in to Adam
Carpenter who had just replaced Daniel Lancey and he shot and scored from 15
yards giving the keeper no chance for his first goal for the club. A minute
later a through ball gave Corey Thomas a one on one with the keeper but he came
out and cleared the ball. Rory was again in action on 71 minutes when he saved
giving away a corner. With 7 minutes to go we were awarded a free kick in a
central position but Adam Carpenter hit the wall and the ball was cleared. A
minute from time Sam Wade who had replaced Ian Turner was played in by Michael
Waters and scored but the linesman's flag was up as Sam was offside.
Lido side:
Rory McCreesh, Paul Lenihan, Ian Turner, Shaun Morgan, Rhys Williams, Karl
Lewis, Carl Payne, Corey Thomas, Scott McCoubrey, Daniel Lancey, Michael
Waters.
Subs:
12 Sam Wade for Ian Turner 87
14 Adam Carpenter for Daniel Lancey 63
Match Report by Peter Reynolds
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