AFAN LIDO 3-0 Caerleon

A Robbie Walters double and a rare Chris Pridham goal, his first in the Welsh League gained us the three points in a poor quality game. Mike Lewis also saved a penalty with the scoreline at nil nil after Damon Thomas dived into a tackle in the area. Both Mark Jones and Scott McCoubrey were unavailable for this afternoon's game.
We could have taken a second minute lead when the ball was played wide to Gavin Jones he beat his man and played the ball forward to Robbie Walters wide right in the area but with more time than he realised he shot first time over the bar. Scott Hillman broke up a Caerleon attack and found Nathan White, he played it forward but although not going for the ball Robbie Walters was given offside. We again pushed forward and Carl Payne on the edge of the area tried a shot but he only succeeded in hitting a defender with the ball going out to Damon Thomas who won us a corner on the left. On the quarter hour a couple of poor passes from us set up a Caerleon attack but from the edge of the box their 10 Dan Cueto shot over the bar. We were struggling to string anything together, Carl Payne found Nathan White in the box but he lost control of the ball and it was cleared. On 20 minutes Gavin Jones played Robbie Walters in on goal but three defenders crowded him out and the ball was cleared. Carl Payne then made ground but was cynically fouled 40 yards out. The ball was played in and Robbie Walters with his back to goal helped the ball on with a header but it was straight to the keeper. At this point it was difficult to see us breaking down Caerleon as there was not enough movement around the area. On 28 minutes Mike Lewis did well to punch the ball clear from a Caerleon free kick then on the half hour they were awarded a penalty for Damon Thomas' challenge. Mike guessed correctly and saved the penalty with his feet and we conceded a couple of corners before we cleared the danger. On 33 minutes we took the lead, Gavin Jones was fouled on the edge of the D and what Mark Jones did last week, Robbie Walters did this, giving the keeper no chance. They counter attacked but Jonathan Hood cut out the through ball and cleared. On 37 minutes Nathan White played a great ball into the box for Robbie Walters but once again he lost the ball and was crowded out. 
Everyone was hoping for a better quality second half, Gavin Jones did well wide right beating a couple of players but there was no support and his cross into the box was cleared. On 51 minutes we had a sustained period of pressure with Robbie Walters shooting and Gavin Jones cutting in from the right and hitting the post with a left footed shot. On the hour we made it 2-0 Gavin Jones played a one-two with Chris Pridham who fed Robbie Walters, he found Nathan White whose shot at goal was blocked by Chris Pridham who turned and scored from 6 yards. Caerleon came back at us and on 63 minutes a long range shot took a bit of a deflection and beat Mike Lewis only to hit the crossbar and bounce down, Mike Lewis was first to react and clear the ball with the Caerleon contingent begging for a goal. Caerleon continued to push forward without being overly dangerous and Gavin Jones cleared one cross at the far post. We were tending to over elaborate at the back and we were conceding possession in some dangerous areas instead of clearing our lines. With 10 minutes to go Damon Thomas played the ball forward to Nathan White in the area but he was gently edged off the ball. Two nil was now looking a safe result but Corey Thomas tried his luck from 30 yards but it was straight at the keeper. Matt Harris played a nice ball in to Robbie Walters but he delayed his shot and was again crowded out. In the fourth minute of added on time we made it 3-0, the keeper was penalised for handling a back pass, Chris Pridham played it short to Robbie Walters and with the keeper covering the near post he shot high into the net at the far post.
 
Lido side:
Mike Lewis, Jonathan Hood, Corey Thomas, Scott Hillman, Shaun Galsworthy, Damon Thomas, Gavin Jones, Chris Pridham, Robbie Walter,s Nathan White, Carl Payne.
 
Subs: 
12 Matt Harris for Damon Thomas 82
14 Robert Cockings for Carl Payne 78
15 Luke Borrelli
16 James McEvoy for Nathan White 88
Bookings  Damon Thomas 30  Chris Pridham 44  Carl Payne 55
 
Goals  Robbie Walters 33 and 90+4 Chris Pridham 60

Match Report by Peter Reynolds