BARRY TOWN 2-0 AFAN LIDO

 

This game had 0-0 written all over it until in the 64th minute the referee gave a corner to Barry when everyone bar him and the linesmen knew it was a goal kick. As often happens in these incidents Barry scored and that changed the game.

The game itself was quite entertaining even though it looked like a stalemate but both sides tried to play football. Either side could have scored in the early minutes, Barry's best chance came when Corey Thomas dwelt on the ball and lost it, Barry won a corner which Mike Lewis punched clear, it was picked up by Nathan White who found Scott McCoubrey, he found Carl Payne on the edge of the area but he shot wide. Barry had a couple of free kicks which Rhys Williams cleared then a Lido clearance was miskicked by a Barry defender and it set up Nathan White he tried a near post shot but the keeper held it. Shaun Galsworthy was injured on 13 minutes but continued after treatment, then following a bout of good Lido passing a back heel from Carl Payne almost set up Scott McCoubrey. 

On 19 minutes Nathan White appeared to be fouled in the box, the linesman flagged but before he could put his arm across his chest to signify a penalty the ref indicated a corner which the linesman then confirmed! After this Shaun Galsworthy had to come off to be replaced by Scott Hillman. We had a spell where we controlled the game but we weren't able to find the final ball in the box, Barry responded with several concerted attacks and we couldn't clear our lines and Mike Lewis did well to touch one shot onto the crossbar and over for a corner. Carl Evans then did well to block another shot, the ball going for a corner. Mike Lewis then raced out of his area to clear another Barry attack. Nathan White then cut inside to shoot but the keeper dived to turn it behind for corner which Carl Evans headed straight to the keeper. Just before half time Barry attacked and we waited for an offside which didn't come, Mike Lewis raced out of goal to clear, he played a long ball to Nathan White but he tried a first time shot, hit it wide and the chance was lost.

We had a golden opportunity to take the lead early in the second half but from inside the six yard box Scott McCoubrey fired a Daniel Lancey cross over the bar. Carl Payne cut inside after receiving a Corey Thomas pass but despite beating a couple of players he lost the ball in a good position. Scott Hillman cut out a Barry attack on the hour and fed Nathan White who made 60 yards, he cut into the box but his square ball to Scott McCoubrey was cut out. Daniel Lancey then made ground but his shot was blocked, it came back to Carl Payne but his first time shot went over the bar. Barry were awarded a free kick 35 yards out, it came off the head of a Barry player and went behind for a goal kick, all the Barry players went back ready for the goal kick but the ref gave a corner which we failed to clear and Sam Small scored. This knocked us back and we played too many aimless balls forward and failed to trouble Barry. With 15 minutes to go we were awarded a free kick just outside the area but Scott McCoubrey's shot hit the wall, he picked up the rebound but his cross was straight to the keeper. Inside the last ten minutes we fed Nathan White but his shot was at the keeper and lacked power. With 5 minutes to go Barry sealed their win when a through ball beat the offside trap, Mike Lewis failed to gather and allowed Rob Blatchford to net from close range. We had a couple of attacks but didn't look as though we'd pull anything back before the final whistle.

Lido side:
Mike Lewis, Rhys Williams, Corey Thomas, Carl Evans, Shaun Galsworthy, Luke Borrelli, Carl Payne, Chris Pridham, Scott McCoubrey, Nathan White, Daniel Lancey.

Subs:
12 Scott Hillman for Shaun Galsworthy 20
14 Craig Baker for Corey Thomas 89
16 Jonathan Hood for Luke Borrelli 63

Bookings:
Scott Hillman 39, Carl Evans 42, Rhys Williams 76, and Carl Payne 87.

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Match Report by Peter Reynolds