CAERLEON 3-0 AFAN LIDO

 

We travelled to Caerleon full of confidence that we would have a first win at struggling Caerleon but once again they had too much game awareness to knock us out of our stride. We went behind in 7 minutes when a ball across our box wasn't dealt with and their 9 Dan Cueto had a free header to easily beat Mike Lewis from close range. So once again at Caerleon we were playing catch up, they now proceeded to knock the ball long making us turn. It could have been worse on 17 minutes when Mike Lewis made a fine save to his right and a Caerleon player hit the crossbar with his follow up shot. Most of our moves were through Craig Baker but unfortunately nearly all his crosses went behind for goal kicks. Our defence was having problems coping with the Caerleon attack and usually it was a last ditch clearance rather than the composed play that we've become used to.

 

We had a chance to level on 21 minutes when their keeper fumbled a free kick but from the edge of the area Nathan White fired over the bar. On the half hour Caerleon had a free kick in their half which Mike Lewis punched clear Dan Lancey picked it up and went down the wing only to be fouled. The free kick was played wide to Craig Baker but once again it went behind for a goal kick. We were awarded a series of free kicks just outside the area but both Nathan White and Mark Jones fired their free kicks over the bar. On 40 minutes we went two down and again we failed to clear our lines allowing Dan Cueto to double the lead, worse was to follow when from a corner we again allowed the ball to bobble around in the area and John Pardue made it 3-0. Despite a half time rollicking we were still second best and rarely looked like reducing the arrears. On the hour we had yet another free kick in an advantageous position, this time Corey Thomas took it but all he did was pass the ball to the keeper.

 

Whenever Caerleon attacked in strength we seemed all over the place and after 64 minutes it was only a last ditch tackle that cleared our lines. Gavin Jones came on and at least he had the beating of the defender and he put in some telling crosses which on another day might have been more productive. Throughout the second half we made their keeper look good as all our shots were straight at him and we failed to stretch him. In the last 10 minutes we forced a series of corners but failed to worry what until today has been a poor side.

 

Lido side:
Mike Lewis,  Jonathan Hood,  Scott McCoubrey, Carl Evans,  Rhys Williams,  Carl Payne, Craig Baker,  Chris Pridham,  Mark Jones,  Nathan White,  Dan Lancey.

 

Subs:
12 Vince Lewis
15 Ryan Frankcom
16 Gavin Jones for Jonathan Hood 65
17 Corey Thomas for Craig Baker 55

 

Bookings:  Scott McCoubrey 30,  Chris Pridham 53,  Nathan White 71,  Carl Evans 82.

 

View league table

 

Match Report by Peter Reynolds