AFAN LIDO 2-0 Cardiff Corinthians

 

Two second half goals from Nathan White finally overcame a determined Cardiff Corries and saw us move up to third in the league. In four matches at the Marston's Stadium Corries have yet to register a goal.

 

In the second minute Scott McCoubrey made ground down the left and found Mark Jones who appeared to be pushed in the back but the referee waved play on. Corries were awarded a free kick on 4 minutes but Carl Evans headed clear to Daniel Lancey who despite a Corries player trying to foul him stayed on his feet and made 30 yards before passing to Nathan White who won a corner which Carl Evans headed just over the bar. Just inside our area Rhys Williams lost possession and a Corries player shot across Mike Lewis but wide of the far post. Carl Payne won the ball in midfield and made 40 yards before passing to Scott McCoubrey who found Mark Jones wide right but Mark's cross was too close to the keeper. On the quarter hour we were awarded a free kick just outside the area which Scott McCoubrey took and it was deflected off the wall for a corner which again we headed wide. We were finding it difficult to break down a determined Corries side who packed their defence and broke quickly. On 23 minutes Chris Pridham picked up a loose ball in midfield and beat a couple of players found Carl Payne who made space but shot over the bar from just outside the box. Corries then attacked but failed to trouble Mike Lewis, the ball going harmlessly wide of goal. We continued to play from the back, Carl Evans found Craig Baker who fed Dan Lancey then on to Chris Pridham, Chris passed to Nathan White whose shot was just wide. 10 minutes before the break we were awarded a free kick 30 yards out in a central position, Scott McCoubrey's shot was deflected for a corner which again the keeper cut out. Just before the interval Corries were awarded a free kick a couple of yards outside the 'D' Mike Lewis tipped the free kick over for a corner and then just got a fingertip to the corner to tip it away for the defence to clear.

 

Corries made a bright start to the second half and looked as though they were going to attack more but after a few minutes it was business as usual with us pushing forward. There were a couple of last ditch tackles and blocks in the area with both Scott McCoubrey and Nathan White being frustrated. On the hour we had a free kick 25 yards out on the right touch line, Mark Jones had a free header but it lacked power and was straight at the keeper. Then on 65 minutes the break came, we played the ball wide to Dan Lancey who beat his defender made ground and crossed in to Mark Jones who powered a header at the keeper, he managed to block it but the ball rebounded and Nathan White reacted first to power his shot into goal. A couple of minutes later Scott and Nathan combined with Nathan shooting just wide of the post. Still Corries defended doggedly and again a Nathan shot was blocked after a Dan Lancey cross caused problems for a tiring defence. With 10 minutes to go Nathan made the game safe following a great run by Gavin Jones who had replace Craig Baker just after we'd scored the first. Gavin picked up a loose ball 35 yards out, beat a couple of defenders and got into the box and squared it for Nathan to shoot, the ball hitting the inside of the post before resting in the far side of the goal. With 7 minutes to go Mike Lewis made a fine diving save and Gavin again beat a couple of defenders before shooting over the crossbar.

 

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:
14 Gavin Jones for Craig Baker 67 
15 Ryan Frankcom for Carl Payne 83 
16 Karl Roberts 
17 Corey Thomas for Scott McCoubrey 79

 

Goals: Nathan White 65 and 80

 

Booking: Nathan White 74

 

Attendance: 120

 

View league table

 

Match Report by Peter Reynolds