7th Heaven for Craig & Dai 

Afan Lido did their goal difference the world of good today with a thumping of poor ole Newport YMCA.

The scoring opened up in the 17th minutes with a goal from Sam Wade. Mark Jones doubled the lead after 29 minutes, and Mark Jones scored his 2nd of the game to make it 3-0.

On 65 minutes Scott McCourbrey made it 4-0 on 65 minutes to take his tally to 7 Lge goals for the season and remain Lido's top scorer.

On 75 minutes the score was 5-0 and a hat-trick for Mark Jones. But the scoring wasn't finished there, further goals from Sam Wade (his 2nd of the game) and the final goal from Luke Borrelli.

A resounding win for Afan Lido against a very Poor Newport YMCA, but 3 points is 3 points.

Just a pity only 30 supporters bothered to watch the game.

Today's win moves the side up to 4th in the table, 5 points off top of the table Goytre Utd.

View league table

Tony

Newport YMCA match preview 

This Saturday we face bottom of the table Newport YMCA at the Marston Stadium.

Newport YM are having a far different season this year to the success they enjoyed last season, a great welsh cup run and finishing in 7th place in the table, and beings Gwent's top club in domestic soccer.

YM have suffered the same fate as fellow Gwent side Caerleon who were recent visitors in that they have lost many key players from last seasons squad.

Their away form has been consistent, in that they have played 4 games and lost the 4 (can't get more consistent than that) though they have faced difficult trips on the road losing their 4 games to teams in the top 6 in the table. Their only win in their 11 league games was at home when they beat the inconsistent Bridgend Town 2-0, they also managed a 1-1 draw (also at home to Bryntirion) but have lost their other 9 games scoring 1o goals and conceding 31.

Last season we beat YM at the Marston 1-0 with Stephen Cox scoring our winner, but they were comfortable winners on their own patch 3-0 in a match that meant nothing to either side in the very last game of the season.

Our home form this season is not that of a team likely to be pushing for promotion to the welsh premier, with 3 wins from 7 games and 2 very poor 3-0 defeats by Pontardawe & ENTO Aberaman, our 3 wins have come against 3 teams in and around the relegation places, so hopefully we can add Newport's scalp to the other 3.

A win this Saturday could see us rise higher in the table than the current 7th place we occupy, even though we have lost 4 games so far this season we are still only 5 points off top of the table Goytre, in what is turning out to be a very competitive league this season, and teams in the top half of the table are all capable of taking points off each other.

A win and a big winning margin is a must to keep pace with the teams above plus we have poorest goal difference of any team in the top 11 places in the table.

Tony

Squad line up for the Newport YMCA league match 

The squad to face Newport YMCA this Saturday is:

R McCreesh - I Turner - M Waters - J Williams - M Chunuonsee - S McCourbrey - L Borrelli - S Wade
T Wellington - C Thomas - C Payne - A Keefe - I Jones - M Jones.

Young Rory McCreesh keeps his place in goals at Leon Cosker's expense, Aaron Keefe comes into the squad.

Tony

Lido back to winning ways 

Afan Lido inflicted Barry Town's 2nd home defeat in 3 days with a sound performance and a 2-0 victory at Jenner Park.

Same Wade opened the scoring for the Lido with a 26th minute penalty, Scott McCourbrey doubled our lead on 43 minutes.

No further goals in 2nd half giving us all 3 points come the full whistle.

Lido Team:
R McCreesh - I Turner - M Waters - J Williams - M Chunuonsee - C Thomas - C Payne - S McCourbrey
M Jones - I Jones - S Wade.

Subs:
T Wellington - L Borrelli - A Keefe.

View league table

Tony

Under 19's into cup quarter finals 

Tonight the under 19's played their last league cup group game away to Carmarthen, and following their 5-0 league win over Carmarthen at home, they again beat Carmarthen this time they won 2-0 in Carmarthen, and finish 2nd in the group.

Tonight's scorers were Sean Sullivan & Carl Payne.

We are home to Merthyr in the quarter finals of the cup.

Tony

Reserves can't stop winning 

The Reserves made it 10 wins out of 10 games with a 5-0 win on Saturday away at Porthcawl, the lads have still only conceded 1 goal in their 10 games played so far this season, but Port Talbot/Grove Park are still going strong on their heels with 9 wins from 9 games, but still lag Lido Reserves by 11 goals difference. Lido's scorers were Mark Buckley, Adam Beynon, Matthew Beynon, Shaun Best and James McEvoy (on his debut)

Tony

Caldicot Town squad 

The squad for tomorrows game against Caldicot Town is:

L Cosker - I Turner - M Waters - J Williams - K Lewis - S McCourbrey - T Wellington - C Payne
M Chunuonsee - C Thomas - S Wade - M Jones - I Jones - L Borrelli.

Mika Chunuonsee returns to the squad following his time on the sidelines following injury.

Tony

Caldicot Town match preview

This Saturday we travel to Gwent to take on the County's top club, Caldicot lie in 6th place with 16 points, 2 points more and 4 places higher than us going into the game.

They have a good home record, they were beaten 2-0 by ENTO in the very 1st league home game, but have since notched up 3 successive victories against Corries, Croesyceiliog and Taffs Well.

Caldicot topped the table early in the season, but have since dropped off the pace slightly.

This game will be only our 4th away game of the season with 7 at home, we haven't faired too well either, with only 1 win against Croesyceiliog and defeats at Goytre and Ton Pentre, in both those games we had chances to get something from both matches, but failed to take our chances.

With the table still very tight, a win is a must if we are to harbour any hopes of a top two finish, even with 4 league defeats from 10 games we are still only 6 points off 2nd placed Goytre Utd. So every point gained will be vital for our push up the table.

On another topic we have confirmed the date for the re-arranged Cambrian & Clydach away league game, this will now take place on December 9th.

There also wont be any website updates this weekend as I will be in Sheffield visiting my daughter. (due back Monday evening) 

Tony

ENTO back to form as Lido well beaten

We went behind as early as the 3rd minute, and we were 2-0 down on 21 minutes with Mattie Davies scoring ENTO's 2nd, but not before we had a an effort cleared of the line.

On 31 minutes we had a chance to get back into the game when we were awarded a penalty, but Mark Jones attempt missed.

On 60 minutes it was game over 3-0 to ENTO Mattie Davies scoring again.

ENTO were worthy winners on the day. Our current 4 match unbeaten run comes to an abrupt end at the Marston today and the scoreline of 3-0 was the 2nd such loss we have suffered at home this season.

Tony

Squad for the ENTO game at the Marston

Not many changes from the Bryntirion game. Rory McCreesh stays between the sticks, as Leon Cosker is serving a one match ban. Mika Chunuonsee is still out injured, and Darren Griffiths is unavailable.

So the squad to play Aberaman is:

R McCreesh - Ian Turner - M Waters - J Williams - S Morgan - K Lewis - T Wellington - S McCourbrey
M Jones - C Payne - C Thomas - I Jones - S Wade - S Best - L Borrelli.

Tony

Match preview of the welsh league clash with ENTO

This Saturday we welcome big spending ENTO Aberaman to the Marston, in a game that will show how far the team has settled and progressed this season.

Following some poor luck early in the season, and recently victories over the divisions weakest teams, ENTO will be a good yard stick to see where or where abouts we are. They themselves have had a bad patch of late having won their first 3 games on the road, they then drew 4 games in a row, and then lost to table toppers Bettws, making it 5 games without a win, though they made up for it somewhat last night with a 1-0 win at Ynys Park beating Ton Pentre, a victory that moved them up to 4th in the table.

Last seasons fixture is one we will wont to forget, a real game of 2 halves with us dominating the first and capitulating in the 2nd, to eventually lose the game 4-1. Dan McGrath getting out first half goal. Most of the players from that game will not get the chance to make amends as there are only 3 players from the starting 11 still at the club, Dan McGrath, Steve Parry, Steve Cox, Craig Martin, Steve Davies, Kieran Howells & Andrew Pearson have all moved on, and Dan Williams looking like the latest to be leaving come the January transfer window. Only Leon Cosker, Ian Jones & Michael Waters remain from the 11 to take on ENTO and hopefully secure the 3 points and keep our push up the table going.

We did make amends in the away game late in the season when we drew 1-1 at Aberaman Park with Damon Thomas scoring on the day. The 2006/07 season we faired better in the home game running out 2-0 winners with goals from Paul Evo & John Felton.

A win over ENTO would be see us overtake them in the table again. However defeat against ENTO and results elsewhere could see us drop down as far as 9th, but getting any higher than 5th this weekend looks doubtful as Barry Town should get the better of Cwmbran Town in Cwmbran, and Pontardawe will be favourites to take all 3 points at home to bottom club Newport YMCA.

The table is very close this season with just 4 points separating 3rd down to 12th. The clash of the day though must surely be first against second when Bettws host Goytre Utd, and the best outcome for all clubs chasing the pair would be a draw.

Tony

U19's final group game Tuesday night at the Marston against Port Talbot

Tomorrow night our under 19's host Port Talbot Town in their penultimate group game. A win will take us 2 points clear of 2nd placed Carmarthen Town, but even 6 points in our last 2 games win be enough to overhaul top side Llanelli, but 2nd place is up for grabs.

The lads have a good record in this competition with 3 wins against Haverfordwest, Pontardawe and West End, and just the one reverse which came against leaders Llanelli. They have an impressive 15 goals scored and just 2 conceded which came in the 2-1 loss to the Reds.

Kick off is at 7:00 at the Marston.

View league cup table

Tony

League cup round up.

ANTHONY Walters scored twice and Dale Raven once in Bridgend Town’s 3-0 win against Aberbargoed Buds in the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup second round. Dinas Powys are also into round three thanks to a 3-1 win against Newport YMCA with goals from David Brooks, Ebony Dixon and Richard Lane, while Penrhiwceiber needed extra time and penalties before eventually overcoming Llantwit Fardre 4-2.

The only shock of the day came when struggling Cwmbran Town defeated MacWhirter Welsh League leaders Bettws 3-2 after extra time. Ryan Buckman (2), Kristian Orchard and Adam Wright scored for AFC Porth in their 4-0 win against Briton Ferry, while ENTO Aberaman Athletic powered home 4-1 against Cwmaman United thanks to Jon Phillips’ hat-trick and a Geraint Passmore goal. Goytre United travelled to play Cardiff Corries for a second successive weekend and won 3-1.

Reigning Welsh League champions Goytre scored six goals in the last 20 minutes of their Welsh Cup tie a week earlier. They returned to the Riverside Ground at Radyr for a Nathaniel Car Sales Cup clash and were faced with another spirited Corries performance. This time Rhys Yates fired Corries in front, while Darren Lyons, Robbie Walters and Danny Thomas replied to ease Goytre into the third round. Caldicot Town defeated Tredegar Town 2-1 thanks to an own goal and a strike from Jason Thorn, while Pentwyn Dynamos beat Barry Town 5-4 on penalties.

In the only Welsh League Division One game played, goals from Gary Taylor and Robert Egan helped Pontardawe Town to a 2-1 success at Croesyceiliog, while in Division Two, UWIC beat Grange Quins 3-1 with goals from Marcus Sharrad (2) and Matthew Sutton.

Tony

Under 19's win league opener

The under 19's got their league campaign up and running when they beat Briton Ferry away today 5-1.

Our scorers were Steve Hughes (2) Luke Borrelli, Niall Lewis & Luke Evans.

Tony

Half time round up against Bryntirion

Afan Lido go 5-1 up with on 55 minutes, we made a good start by going 1-0 up after just 10 minutes with a Sam Wade goal, we doubled the lead on 21 minutes when Carl Payne grabbed a 2nd.

Ianto made it 3-0 on 36 minutes, but Bryn pulled a goal back a minute later, 3-1 became 4-1 with a Mark Jones penalty on 41 minutes.

Mark Jones got his 2nd and our 5th on 55 minutes. Corey Thomas came on for Ianto on 48 mins. Like Borrelli on for Tomos Wellington on 61 mins.

Bryntirion got their 2nd goal on 84 minutes, but Sam Wade scored his 2nd and our 6th on 89 minutes to wrap up a fine 6-2 win in front of  a crowd of 90.

Tony

Youths draw Carmarthen Town in the FAW Youth cup

Afan Lido have been drawn at home against Carmarthen in the last 16 of the FAW Youth cup, the game will be played on Sunday 25th of January.

Full draw is:

Afan Lido v Carmarthen Town
Bangor City v NEWI Cefn Druids
Chirk AAA v Flint Town United
Ely Rangers v Port Talbot or Cardiff City
Gap Connah's Quay v Prestatyn Town
Llanelli AFC v Newtown AFC
Pontardawe v Taffs Well
Swansea City v Aberystwyth or Haverfordwest.

Tony

Bryntirion league cup preview

 
The squad for the league cup game against Bryntirion tomorrow night is:

L Cosker - R McCreesh - I Turner - S Morgan - J Williams - T Wellington - C Thomas - S McCoubrey
D Kingdom - K Lewis - D Griffiths - M Jones - S Wade - C Payne - Ianto - L Borrelli.

Mike Walters misses the game through suspension, for the red card he picked up against Taffs Well, into the squad come Rory McCreesh and Luke Borrelli.

Tony

Bryntirion league cup preview

 
This Friday we take another break from league action, when Bryntirion Athletic visit the Marston in the 2nd round of the league cup.

I could have said before last Saturday that this season both teams league form is down on last season's, but that was before we beat Taffs Well 3-0 and moved up to 4th in the table. It just shows how open the league is this season, only 2 points separate us in 4th on 14 points and 12th placed Bridgend Town on 12 points.

But Bryntirion's form has not placed them in the top 12, they lie one place lower in 13th on 9 points the position we were in only over a week ago.

We have met already this this season at the Marston on the opening league fixture of the season, and we came out 2-0 winners with goals from Scott McCourbrey & Darren Griffiths.

Bryntirion just scrapped through the 1st round of the cup, when they were taken to penalties by 3rd division side AFC Llwydcoed coming out 5-2 winners on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

This is our first outing in the cup we won 2 seasons ago, having been given a bye in the first round, the team are finally settling down and doing the biz on the pitch and we go into the game on the back of a 4 match unbeaten run with victories in our last 3 games.

The squad for Friday night's game will be available tomorrow night after training.

Tony

Wins for the Under 19's & 18's

 
Both our youth team won their games today, the under 19's had a super 8-0 against West End in the Youth cup group D game. That keeps our lads top of the group with 4 wins from 4 games.

Our scorers were: Luke Borrelli (3) Sam Wade (2) Corey Thomas (2) & Remi Whitelock.

The under 18's beat Grangetown 4-2 in the cup with James McEvoy & Ellis Harris both scoring a brace a piece.

Tony

Lido Reserves roll on

 
Goals from Jackson Gammond and Adam Beynon maintained the Reserves 100% record and they still have to concede a goal after 8 games.

We maintain a point lead over 2nd placed Port Talbot who are also unbeaten after 7 games but have conceded 10 goals, 3rd placed Pontardawe were 5-1 winners at Neath and are also on maximum points from their 8 games.

We are not due to face either of the league's unbeaten teams until December 20th when we travel to face Pontardawe.

View league table

Tony

Lido win 3-0 against Taffs Well

 
We made the best of starts when Corey Thomas scored in the very first minute.

We went 2-0 up just after the half hour when Darren Griffiths made it 2-0 and that's the way it ended at half time.

We scored our 3rd goal 0n 70 minutes with a goal from Karl Lewis.

The only downsides were Mike Waters red card in injury time for 2 yellow cards, and our lowest crowd of the season of 40.

Tony