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Afan Lido 2-2 Pontardawe Town

In scoring the equaliser in the 89th minute Damon Thomas ensured a point in a game we would have won with better finishing. We hit the woodwork 5 times and their keeper made several fine saves.

As early as the fourth minute a Remi Whitelock free kick was headed goalwards and from 5 yards the keeper did well to turn Matthew Beynon's header over via the crossbar for a corner. We continued to pressure the Pontardawe defence and after 12 minutes Jonathan Hood created space went around the keeper and shot. Somehow his shot at the empty target hit the post and bounced to safety ran than nestle in the net. When Pontardawe did attack they won a free kick which Matthew Beynon headed clear and from the resultant throw in their first shot sailed over the bar. Remi Whitelock took a free kick 25 yards out but his shot lacked power and was easy for the keeper. 

On the half hour Damon Thomas received a throw just inside the area he shot but once again the ball hit the post and was cleared. A minute later Pontardawe were ahead via the penalty spot after Matthew Beynon tackled an attacker from behind. Worse was to follow two minutes later when following a long throw from the right an attacker turned an scored to make it 2-0. Remi Whitelock made ground down the left and passed inside to Luke Borrelli in the area but the keeper closed him down quickly and Luke's effort was blocked and cleared. Just before half time Damon Thomas headed over from yet another free kick.

At half time Carl Payne and Sean Sullivan replaced Sam Nolan and Steve Hughes and within 30 seconds of the start of the second half we attacked down the right but Carl Payne headed Luke Borrelli's cross wide. Pontardawe responded and an attacker tried an over head kick but it was straight at Rory McCreesh in goal. We had a series of free kicks to mount some pressure in the Pontardawe defence and on 54 minutes a through ball found Carl Payne and the Ponty keeper in a race for the ball. Carl just won the race to nick the ball away from the keeper but the angle was to wide to score and the chance went.

The pressure eventually told on 56 minutes following good work down the right by Sean Sullivan, he crossed in to Carl Payne but his initial shot was blocked, it rebounded to Carl and this time he scored. Two minutes later we should have been level after we beat the offside trap and made ground. However the ball was passed to Jonathan Hood who scored but while the players were celebrating the officials flag was raised. Jonathan was offside when the ball was played and so was offside. We hit the post again after 66 minutes when following a free kick into the box there was a scramble in the area and the ball deflected off a defender onto the post and again was cleared. Pontardawe went down the other end and should have put the game to bed but their attacker in a one on one situation with Rory put the ball wide. We continued to strive for the equaliser and efforts from Damon Thomas and Luke Borrelli went wide and three minutes from time following a left wing break and cross by Remi Whitelock Carl Payne headed the ball against the crossbar.

The goal we deserved finally arrived in the 89th minute when we worked the ball right into the area and from just outside the six yard box Damon Thomas scored. There was still time for Damon Thomas to play Remi Whitelock in but his shot from the edge of the area was blocked.

Lido side:
Rory McCreesh, Luke Borrelli, Sam Nolan, Matt Beynon, Andrew Collins, Dale Lambrick, Niall Lewis, Damon Thomas, Steve Hughes, Jonathan Hood, Remi Whitelock.

Subs:
12 Carl Payne for Steve Hughes 46
14 Matt Doyle for Niall Lewis 77
15 Sean Sullivan for Sam Nolan 46

Report by Peter Reynolds