Today the lads had little trouble in putting 6 passed AFC Llwydcoed at the Marston, with our goals coming from Carl Payne (2) Adam Beynon (2) Tom Wellington & Matt Beynon.

The team now sit top of the table on goal difference over Pontardawe who also won 3-2 at Goytre Utd. 

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Tony

Port Talbot Town won their first game of the season with a 3-2 home triumph over NEWI Cefn Druids.

Nicky Ward gave the visitors the lead just after the half-hour mark, but on-loan Swansea starlet James Burgin equalised before the break. Martin Rose scored a second-half brace for the Steelmen before Chris McGinn pulled one back with two minutes remaining.

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Tony

Goal from Ianto (2) and Scott Bamsey were enough to seal victory and the 3 points, a terrific start to the season see's our side with two wins from two, eight goals scored and none conceded, but it still isn't enough to claim top spot, at the moment that goes to Pontardawe who have also won two from two but have scored 10 and two against so head the league on greater goals scored.

Next up for the team is another home game against Llwydcoed who have lost both their opening games against Goytre Utd and Pontardawe. 

View scorers table

Tony

I am not sure of this season's squad yet and will include it in the links when I find it out. Last season we finished in 4th place out of a final 8 team division, and this season. This season sees the division back to a more normal level of 16 teams,

Tonight's game see's the team go into the first of 3 home games in a row, following tonight's game with Porth we are at home on Saturday, then we host AFC Llwydcoed, and next Wednesday we play Cwmamman Utd.

Tony

Caldicot lie behind Aberaman on goal difference after they beat fellow Gwent side Croesyceiliog 1-0, it was Croesyceiliog's 3rd  defeat in as many games this season and see's them pointless after 3 games.

Dinas Powys move up to 3rd and keep their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-1 home win over bottom club Newport YMCA, it was YMCA's 4 defeat in 4 games and see's them already with a -10 goal difference. Dinas went behind early in the game but came back with goals from Jacob Daly, Geza Hajgato, and Danny Kinsey to seal a home victory.

Bridgend Town scored 4 goals for the 2nd time this season, but they have had some mixed results, losing their last game 4-0 at home to newly promoted Cardiff Corinthians, but they had little trouble seeing of Caerleon last night winning 4-1 at Cold Bath Road. 

Cardiff Corinthians moved up to 5th with their 2nd league win of the season following 2 defeats in their first 2 games, they beat Cambrian & Clydach 3-2 away and ;eave Cambrian still looking for their first league win of the season following 2 draws in their previous 2 games.

Last seasons champions remain unbeaten but have drawn 2 of their 3 games, last night they were held 3-3 by Bryntirion Ath. 

Ton Pentre won their first game of the season last night - well we'll say no more about the Ton Pentre win last night :(

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Tony

On the stroke of half time we were almost level, when Sam Wades effort hit the post, but it ended 1-0 at half time.

To try and turn things we made a half time sub, bringing on Ianto for Karl Lewis.

We finally made the breakthrough on 67 minutes when sub Scott McCourbrey drew us level, but parity lasted just 10 minutes, as Ton went ahead again on 77 minutes. 

Ton Pentre made no mistake in claiming all 3 points when they scored their 3rd goal of the night in injury time.

Final score 3-1. Tonight's defeat see's us drop to 13th in the table having conceded 10 goals in our last 3 games.

Lido:
L Cosker: D Kingdom: I Turner: D Williams: C Evans: K Lewis: C Thomas: S Wade: J Felton: D Thomas: M Waters.

Subs:
R McCreesh: I Jones: T Wellington: S McCourbrey: S Crabbe.

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Tony

Leon Cosker, Rory McCreesh, David Kingdom, Dan Williams, Karl Lewis, Carl Evans, Corey Thomas, Ian Turner, Scott McCourbrey, Sam Wade, John Felton, Michael Waters, Damon Thomas, Ianto, Steve Crabbe, Tom Wellington.

Tony

Our under 10's player Luke Thomas and Evie Holmes (daughter of Phil Holmes) 

Phil's brother entered a competition through nationwide and won, and Luke and Evie and two more were mascots at the Wales Georgia game.

Take a look at the pic's taken

Tony

some excellent football throughout plus we beat Baglan, something we couldn't do last season well done lads.

Jeff Bailey

We did our part to help them on their way by gifting them 2 of their 3 goals courtesy of  penalties. The first goal came after 14 minutes when Karl Lewis conceded a penalty which Pontardawe put away, they doubled their lead on the stroke of half time to go in 2-0 up at the break.

With n0 sign of a Lido comeback, Pontardawe made sure of the 3 points in the 74th minute when Pontardawe scored their 3rd and 2nd penalty of the game

Lido Team:
Leon Cosker, David Kingdom, Steve Parry, Karl Lewis, Carl Evans, Corey Thomas, Ian Turner, Scott McCourbrey, Sam Wade, John Felton, Michael Waters.

Subs:
12 Steve Crabbe for Steve Parry 78
14 Justin Williams
15 Damon Thomas for Scott McCourbrey 62
GK Rory McCreesh

Bookings Carl Evans 38
Scott McCourbrey 60
Leon Cosker 74 (dissent)
Karl Lewis 83 (dissent)

Attendance: 100

Tony

Darren Griffiths is out following his appendix operation, and is likely to be out of action for up to a month, Ianto still away on holidays.

Tony

And there were more teams whose 100% winning start came to an end, Goytre Utd who had a 5-1 win in their first game were held at home against Pontardawe 0-0, it was another good point for Pont who held last season's runners up Dinas Powys in their first game 1-1.

Two teams that look like they are going to struggle badly this season are the two Gwent clubs Newport YMCA and Caerleon, Caerleon beat YMCA 3-2 last Saturday, but both clubs were on the end of hidings last night, YMCA were hammered 6-0 at home by neighbours Cwmbran Town, and Caerleon lost 5-1 away to Bryntirion who were our first victims last Friday night. Both Gwent clubs have lost many of their key players during the pre-season and could struggle if they do not try and replace those players.

Dinas Powys drew their 2nd league game in a row when Bettws held them to a 0-0 draw at the Murch.  Caldicot got over their 2-0 home loss to ENTO last Saturday when they inflicted Cardiff Corries 2nd loss in two games with the Gwent side winning 2-0.

There were also a few games off last night due to he weather, and that leaves just Barry Town and ENTO Aberaman as the sole clubs still with a 100% winning start to the season.

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Tony

After many years of playing for Afan Lido, coming through the clubs youth system playing in Europe Paul Evan has decided to call it a day and retire from soccer.

Evo played 254 welsh premier league games for the Lido (and somehow managed to score 13 goals as well;) he also had spells as manager of the club, and won player of the season on numerous occasions.

He spent a short spell at Port Talbot where he made 6 appearances last season before returning home again this season.

Evo as he is affectionately known call it a day after a illustrious career at both welsh premier level and welsh league level. With surely his highlights being playing against RAF Riga in the UEFA Cup and being one of the coaches that saw Afan Lido reach the welsh cup final for the first time in the clubs history 2 seasons ago.

Tonight's game against Bridgend Town was Evo's final game, and a pity we could not have seen him off with a win.

We all hope he enjoys his retirement from the game which he will no doubt use his new found spare time to further punish his mates on the golf course (Holmsey, Andy and Greg)

All the best Evo a true Afan Lido legend.

Tony

Last updated 07 September 2008 15:01

The first gol came after 9 minutes and within 5 minutes the score was 2-2. Bridgend went a goal up from a Leon Cosker own goal, 3 minutes later John Felton scored his first league goal of the season, and 2 minutes later his scored his and Lido's 2nd, but our lead lasted just 2 minutes as Bridgend levelled at 2-2.

The next goal came on36 minutes and it went to the visitors who went into the interval leading 3-2.

On 55 minutes Sam Wade scored his first goal of the season to level the game once more. On 72 minutes Bridgend took the lead for the 3rd time in the game.

We made a triple substitution with Corey Thomas, Steve Parry and Dan Kingdom coming on for Scot McCourbrey, Steve Crabbe and 2 goal Feltz.

On 85 minutes goal number 8 of the night was scored and it was Dan Williams who scored our 4th goal of the night, to earn us a point on the night.

There was also a 7 minute delay as the floodlights failed, but after someone put a shilling in the meter the game continued without further goals, so a point a piece on the night.

Lido team:
Leon Cosker - Dan Williams - Steve Crabbe - Paul Evans - Carl Evans - Karl Lewis - Ian Turner - Scott McCourbrey
Sam Wade - John Felton - Michael Waters.

 Subs 
12  Corey Thomas for Scott McCourbrey
14  Dan Kingdom for John Felton
15  Steve Parry For Steve Crabbe
16 Rory McCreesh

Attendance: 60

Tony

Our first round tie will take place at the Marston on Saturday September 13th kick off time TBC.

Tony

Neath's start to their 2nd season in the WPL didn't go to plan when they were well beaten on their travels to face Aberystwyth,  Aber put 6 past the Eagles with 2 goals a piece for Luke Sherbon and Graham Evans, Neath's replies came from a Jarrod Price brace.

Goytre Utd have laid their markers for the coming season. and have shown they will still be the team to beat in the Welsh league, as they comprehensively brushed aside the challenge of Cardiff Corinthians at Glenhafod Park. Goyt's eventually ran out easy winners 5-1.

Perhaps the biggest threat to Goytre this season is Ento Aberaman, and they started off their campaign with a good 2-0 away win over Caldicot Town.

Dinas Powys's first game minus half their first team from last season ended in a 1-1 home draw with Pontardawe Town, while Ton Pentre were held away to Cambrian & Clydach it ended there 1-1.

Former Welsh Premier league giants Barry Town enjoyed their first day back in division 1, as they had little trouble in getting the better of Gwent boys Croesyceiliog the Dragons coming out 3-0 winners.

A little closer to home (well if they were playing in Bridgend that is) Bridgend started life outside the Borough with a 2-1 win over Bettws, Bridgend are our next opponents next Tuesday night at the Marston.

Tony

And it was two newbies who scored both our goals, we went 1-0 up on 24 minutes with a goal from Scott McCourbrey, his first fo the club.

On 27 minutes we doubled our lead with another goal from Darren Griffiths, his 3rd goal in his 3 games for Lido.

The 2nd half brought no further goals but good play from Lido ensured all 3 points. Sam Wade came on for John Felton and Cory Thomas came on for Darren Griffiths.

Our two goal lead could have been even higher as we hit the post 3 times during the game and their keeper pulled off some good saves to keep the scoreline at just 2-0.

Man of the match was split between the two Evan's Carl And Evo.

Tonight's crowd was down on last season's opener of 350 for the visit of Bridgend, tonight's attendance was 100.

Lido Squad:
L Cosker - D Williams - S Crabbe - C Evans - P Evans - K Lewis - I Turner - S McCourbrey - M Waters
J Felton - D Griffiths.

Subs:
R McCreesh - S Parry - C Thomas - S Wade.

Tony

While Tom makes his return, Kieron Howells signed for Bettws last night and goes into their squad for tomorrow's game, another departure see's young Josh Cockings join Baglan Dragons, we wish Kieron & Josh all the best at their new clubs.

Tony

The biggest change in personnel at Bryntirion has seen their prolific goal scorer Robbie Walters leave the club and sign for champions Goytre Utd after he wasn't offered a contract by Port Talbot. They have filled the void by signing Nana Baah from Dinas Powys.

Our forward line up for Friday night is also new, with Sam Wade (Cardiff City) Darren Griffiths (Merthyr Tydfil) and John Felton (missed the whole of last season shearing sheep in the Falklands) our strike force for the night.

Lido Squad:
L Cosker - R McCreesh - D Williams - J Williams - S Crabbe - S Parry -  C Evans (Capt) - P Evans -  K Lewis
M Waters - I Turner - Corey Thomas - Tom Wellington -  S McCourbrey - S Wade - J Felton - D Griffiths.

Tony

30 year old Steve made his senior debut for the club way back in the 1996-97 season, and has since made 295 league and cup appearances for the club scoring 17 goals, and hopefully this season he will surpass the 300 mark.

Steve had two short spells away from the club with Neath and Port Talbot, he has also made 163 welsh premier league appearances, 130 for Afan Lido scoring 9 goals (Plus 23 for Port Talbot)

Tony

Neath were 3-0 up at half time and went on to score 2 more in the 2nd half to finish the night 5-0 winners.

John Felton got the nod as the Lido man of the match, with new boy Darren Griffiths also putting in a good performance.

We were missing 9 players for the game who were unavailable on the night, the margin of victory for Neath may not have been as big were we at full strength.

So that's the pre-season over with and back to the nitty gritty of the welsh league when we host Bryntirion at 7:30 this Friday night.

Lido Team:
Leon Cosker - Shaun Morgan - Paul Evans - Justin Williams - Steve Parry - Scott McCourbrey - Michael Waters
Damon Thomas - Corey Thomas - John Felton - Darren Griffiths.

Subs:
Rory McCreesh - Sam Wade - Shaun Best - Remi Whitelock.

Unavailable were:
Karl Lewis, Carl Evans and Steve Crabbe Injured 
Ianto, Steve Cox and David Kingdom - holidays 
Daniel Williams - Ian Turner - Carl Payne work / unavailable

Tony

20 year old Scott joined Port Talbot Town in January 2007. The Swansea-born youngster was with Cardiff City as a youth player and featured in the Welsh Youth Cup Final for the Bluebirds, but he was released at the end of the 2006/07 season. He went on trial at Llanelli in the 2007 pre-season, but Peter Nicholas decided against signing the forward and he spent the first part of this season with Gowerton Juniors.

He has played for Wales at Youth level, winning Under 17 and Under 19 caps and he made his Steelmen debut as a sub in the 4-1 away defeat to Llangefni in March 2008

Tony

We were 1-0 down on on 5 minutes when Swansea Loanee Stefan Morrison scored for Port, and we could have been 2-0 down on 25 minutes, but for a brilliant save from Leon Cosker from a Paul Evo error.

On 29 minutes new signing Darren Griffiths scored on his Lido debut putting us level at 1-1, and 3 minutes later we went in front from a penalty scored by Darren Griffiths with his 2nd of the game.

Our lead lasted nearly 50 minutes until Morrison scored his 2nd goal of the game for Port Talbot on 80 minutes, and the game ended 2-2.

A good work out for both teams and an entertaining game for the 110 spectators at the Marston tonight.

The only down side was Karl Lewis picked up an injury.

Lido Team:
Leon Cosker - Dan Williams - Justin Williams - Steve Crabbe - Ian Turner - Mike Walters - Karl Lewis - Paul Evans - Scott McCorbrey - John Felton - Daren Griffiths.

Subs:
Rory McCreesh - Corey Thomas - Sam Wade - Steve Parry.

In our other game tonight against Corus Steel, our lads came out 2-1 winners, no other info on that game yet.

Tony

This will be a good test for Lido who have only one more friendly against Garden Village after tonight's game before the league opener at home to Bryntirion Friday week.

The 16 man squad to face Port Talbot Town tomorrow night is.

L Cosker - Rory McCreesh - S Crabbe - D Kingdom - J Williams - S Parry - P Evans - I Turner
M Waters - K Lewis - S McCourbey - S Wade - C Thomas - J Felton - D Griffiths - I Jones.

Tony

Darren Griffiths is the latest player to join the club. Darren is a striker and has played for Pontardawe, West End, Llanelli and Merthyr Tydfil, and Darren is still only 20 and another welcome addition to the squad.

Darren joins us from Merthyr Tydfil where he made 13 starts scoring 5 goals, he scored on his Merthyr debut against Rugby Town in December 2007.

Tony

Just one new face from last season is Steve Crabbe who joins us from Pontardawe Town where he was club captain for them last season. Steve has featured for the club in our pre-season friendlies.

There are another seven players the club are waiting to sign, six of which were at the club last season. More news on those to follow are developments happen.

To view squad page click here

If anyone can identify any errors in the squad page stats plz drop me a line vis the contact webby link in the navigation menu.

Tony

Wyn was an ever present in the Lido team in the 2005-06 season, but only made 16 league appearances in the following 2 seasons before leaving the club to play for his local side in the Carmarthenshire league.

Tony

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