Afan Lido Football Club

A goal 8 minutes from time by Mark Jones gained us a point at the Brewery Field. We were the better side throughout but conceded a soft goal straight after half time and despite all our efforts we struggled in front of goal.

We almost gave a goal away in the first 30 seconds of the game, two players left the ball to each other and a Bridgend player took advantage to shoot from the edge of the area but it went over the bar. Our first attack found Nathan White who made ground into the box, he went to ground but the ref waved play on. A long ball forward by Bridgend caught us out at the back but Mike Lewis left his line quickly and saved the attempted lob. Chris Pridham won the ball in midfield and fed Gavin Jones, he made ground but his ball to Nathan White was just too long and Neil Collins in the Bridgend goal gathered at the second attempt. We got the ball into the net on 12 minutes, a Mark Jones shot was saved, we put the rebound in but the assistant referee flagged for offside. We did take the lead on 18 minutes and it was one of the best so far this season. Gavin Jones received the ball wide right and sped down the line, he cut inside and shot from just outside the area giving the keeper no chance. Four minutes later Gavin was at it again only this time Neil Collins got his hands to it and held it at the second attempt. The midfield all combined with some good inter passing to almost create another chance for Nathan but once again the final pass was just too long. Mike Lewis held a Bridgend free kick and threw the ball out to Gavin Jones who again flew down the right but a Bridgend defender managed to get back to cut out his cross. On 34 minutes we could have extended our lead in odd circumstances, Gavin Jones took a left sided corner and played it low to the near post where a Bridgend player took a swing at it and nearly scored an own goal, luckily for them it went straight into the keeper's hands. Again Gavin Jones was at the forefront of our attacking in his best game for us to date. He again tried his luck from distance and again Neil Collins failed to hold it, Nathan White closed in on it but Collins recovered just in time. On 38 minutes we needlessly gave away a free kick 40 yards out wide right, they swung the ball beyond the far post where central defender Mark Crutch rose highest to head in. Buoyed by this Bridgend had a little spell on top before Mark Jones found Nathan White wide left, he got to the byline and crossed into the box but with players getting into the area again a Bridgend defender cleared it.

We had a disastrous start to the second half, Bridgend kicked off and won a corner which Michael Waters took, although he'd been on the field the whole game this was his first involvement. He placed the ball about 8 yards out and an unmarked Bridgend player headed goalwards, Mike Lewis made a fine instinctive save with the ball going out towards the corner flag. We all stood expecting a corner but a Bridgend player recovered the ball and played it low into the packed goalmouth where Craig Lima turned it into the net. To be fair we did respond in the right manner, we won a corner on the left side and Mark Jones had his shot cleared off the line. Mark then wide right made ground and played the ball in for the waiting Nathan White but a Bridgend defender just managed to block the cross. Carl Payne had a shot blocked and Scott Hillman lacked power in a header from a corner. On 71 minutes Nathan White on the left slipped the ball to Mark Jones just inside the area, Mark turned his defender and Neil Collins closed him down quickly and blocked his shot. 5 minutes later in a rare Bridgend attack Chris Pridham did well to block a shot and clear the ball. On 82 minutes we got the equaliser we deserved, Gavin Jones was fouled just outside the right hand side of the area and he swung over the free kick and Mark Jones headed in. We continued to push forward and Neil Collins punched a Lido free kick straight to Carl Payne but before Carl could get it under control Collins was closing him down and Carl could only shoot at the keeper. Bridgend won a free kick on the half way, Mike Lewis lost the ball but Carl Payne cleared up and fed Nathan White down the left. Nathan made ground and found Mark Jones but he was tackled and we lost the ball. In the closing seconds another Lido corner was headed out to Carl Payne who again had to hit it quickly, again his shot went wide. The keeper took the goal kick and the final whistle sounded.

 

Lido side:
Mike Lewis, Scott Hillman, Jonathan Hood, Carl Evans, Damon Thomas, Corey Thomas, Gavin Jones, Chris Pridham, Mark Jones, Nathan White, Carl Payne.

 

Subs:
12 Rhys Williams for Jonathan Hood 63

4 Craig Baker

16 Chris Latham

 

Bookings Jonathan Hood 58 Carl Evans and Chris Pridham 87

 

Goals Gavin Jones 17 and Mark Jones 82