Afan Lido Football Club

We had the better chances in this top of the table clash but we failed with several opportunities and almost allowed Caldicot to share the spoils, only a last ditch header from under the crossbar by Jonathan Hood in the closing minutes kept us in front.

We kicked off and within 15 seconds Robbie Walters had the first shot at goal but hit it straight at James Smallcombe in the visitor's goal. It looked as though Carl Payne had given us a second minute lead when following a free kick he received the ball on our right and his shot across the keeper looked as though it was going in but swerved away at the last second going out for a goal kick. Caldicot were awarded a free kick on 6 minutes which they hit into the box but Nathan White headed it clear and found Robbie Walters who in turn found Mark Jones, he knocked the ball against a defender to win a corner which Corey Thomas took and he hit the crossbar. Caldicot's best chance came after the ref awarded a free kick against Corey Thomas for hand ball, it was hit low at Mike Lewis who did well to get behind the ball and turn it away for a corner which Robbie Walters headed clear. Caldicot were again awarded a free kick on 21 minutes for a foul by Chris Pridham, Jason Thorn took the kick from 25 yards and his powerful shot went just over the bar. Then from a Lido free kick Robbie Walters headed over the bar from 10 yards. The middle part of the half was punctuated with free kicks for both sides as they tried to gain an advantage. Then on the half hour Nathan White picked up a loose ball on the half way, he beat several defenders, got into the box and squared it to the supporting Robbie Walters. Robbie shot and beat the keeper but a defender was covering the keeper and he kicked it off the line. The first goal wasn't long in coming however as from a Lido corner which Corey Thomas miskicked and it bobbled into the area, the defence couldn't clear it and Robbie Walters knocked it in from 4 yards. We doubled our lead on 43 minutes when Mark Jones played the ball forward to Robbie Walters, his shot was blocked by the keeper but it rebounded to Nathan White who was following up and he netted from 6 yards.

We again had the better of the opening exchanges in the second half but couldn't get a third to kill the game off. We had a series of corners but despite being in good positions we were unable to supply a positive finish. It looked as though the third goal our early second half play deserved was going to be delivered by Carl Payne, we played the ball to him wide right and he drilled a shot which beat the keeper but was inches the wrong side of the post. Caldicot counter attacked and Jonathan Hood, Scott Hillman and Shaun Galsworthy had to be on their toes to keep out a very good Caldicot attack. Nathan White again did well in midfield, he held off his defender and fed Mark Jones whose first time shot went just wide. From the goal kick Caldicot pulled a goal back, we half cleared a cross and with his back to goal Gareth Cullimore bicycle kicked the ball in to the net from 16 yards leaving Mike Lewis flat footed to set up an interesting last 23 minutes. We pushed forward and Robbie Walters found Nathan White who crossed for Corey Thomas but the defender was too strong for Corey and he cleared the ball. With 15 minutes to go Nathan White created space on the edge of the area, spun and shot but James Smallcombe turned it behind for a corner. It was end to end now and Caldicot attacked down the left, crossed into the area and Richard Sharrett was unmarked but headed wide from 15 yards. Caldicot turned up the pressure, Mike Lewis punching one ball clear but each clearance was now coming back at us. We needed someone to hold the ball and give the defence a breather. With 7 minutes to go a Caldicot shot went high over the bar then Robbie Walters and Mark Jones between them picked up a loose ball and Mark shot winning a corner to give us some relief. With 2 minutes to go Caldicot won a corner on the left after a shot clipped Shaun Galsworthy on the way through. We cleared the ball out to Mark Jones who had no one between him and the goal 65 yards away. Mark made ground with the defenders haring back and as he was about to shoot one of them got back to block his shot. In added on time Caldicot had a throw in by the corner flag which was headed on under the crossbar and Jonathan Hood rose to head it away, we cleared the ball down the field and the whistle sounded for three vital and hard earned points against a very good side.

Lido side:
Mike Lewis  Jonathan Hood  Corey Thomas  Scott Hillman  Shaun Galsworthy  Mark Jones  Carl Payne  Chris Pridham  Robbie Walters  Nathan White  Damon Thomas

Subs:
12 Vince Lewis
14 Shaun Morgan for Nathan White 84
15 Gavin Jones for Carl Payne 81
17 Scott McCoubrey for Robbie Walters 87

Goals: Robbie Walters 37, Nathan White 43, 
Caldicot: Gareth Cullimore 67

Bookings: Nathan White 28 and Chris Pridham 33

Match Report by Peter Reynolds