Afan Lido Football Club

Carl Payne with his first league goal of the season settled this close encounter. It was Corey Thomas 50th start in the first team. Both sides wasted goal scoring opportunities in an entertaining game despite the awful conditions.  Referee Kris Hames from Aberaman controlled the game well and tried to use the advantage rule where possible.

From the kick off we played it forward for Mark Jones but the Village keeper Mark Snell just beat him to the ball. We continued on the attack and Mark Jones knocked the ball down for Jonathan Hood who went down in the area but the ref waved away any penalty appeal. Garden Village attacked through the middle but Mike Lewis was off his line to gather before the Village attacker could reach it. Nathan White beat a couple of challenges and set up Mark Jones but he shot straight at the keeper from the 15 yards. On the quarter hour Nathan White cut inside from the left and fired a low shot just inside the post but Mark Snell dived to his right just managing to turn the ball behind for a corner. On 20 minutes Village broke from defence but a shot from distance sailed harmlessly over the bar. Dan Lancey wide left received the ball, cut in and delivered a low cross into the six yard box but neither Mark Jones nor Nathan White were able to get a touch to the ball. On the half hour we were awarded a free kick 15 yards out on the left touchline, Scott Hillman rose highest but his header went wide. Mark Jones was then crowded out and Village had a goal kick, Mark Snell kicked it straight to Gavin Jones on the half way. Gavin stormed down the right hand touchline and his pin point cross was headed wide by Corey Thomas. On 36 minutes we took the lead, Nathan White made ground down the left, his cross took a deflection over Snell and Carl Payne from almost on the line nodded the ball in. Two minutes later we should have been two up after Carl Payne broke up a Village attack and fed Nathan White, Nathan and Mark Jones tried to play in Jonathan Hood but it was over complicated and the chance was lost. On half time Village were awarded a free kick which Carl Evans headed clear to Nathan White, Nathan made ground and from the right side of the area shot, Snell holding the ball under the crossbar.

Mark Jones had another chance to extend the lead on 47 minutes but he headed a free kick straight at the keeper. From a Village free kick in the centre circle we cleared the ball but Gavin Jones lost it and Village attacked again but Mike Lewis again cleared his line. Nathan White had a chance to make it two when he was played in with only the keeper to beat but Snell managed to get a touch to his shot and turn it behind for a corner. Nathan was again in the clear wide left but with players lined up for a cross he took it too far and lost it. Corey Thomas then lost the ball in midfield and Village attacked but the shot was again held by Mike Lewis. Village now had their best spell of the game dominating possession, we weren't helping ourselves as we started panicking and giving away possession too easily. Just after the hour Carl Payne dummied and left the ball but unfortunately there was no Lido player behind him and this set up another Village attack. They should have equalised but from 10 yards in front of goal they knocked the shot wide. Nathan White continued to be our main attacking threat but too often he was taking the wrong option and again on 73 minutes Nathan and Mark Jones between them wasted another opportunity to score a second. On 74 minutes Nathan headed wide following a Gavin Jones free kick. Village realised there was still a chance of a point and pushed forward and from another corner Carl Evans headed the ball out but a Village player from the edge of the area shot through a crowd of players, Mike Lewis dived to his right to save. Everyone had a feeling Village would get an equaliser and they again pushed forward late on with a series of free kicks and corners, one corner, a free header was straight at Mike Lewis. In added on time we started to get hold of the ball and play down the clock, winning corners and free kicks and keeping possession in the corner when we lost the ball Village pumped it forward but the ref called time.

 

Lido side:
Mike Lewis  Scott Hillman  Carl Payne  Carl Evans  Rhys Williams  Jonathan Hood  Gavin Jones  Corey Thomas  Mark Jones  Nathan White  Dan Lancey

 

Subs:
12 Craig Baker for Mark Jones 84

14 Dan Thomas

15 Chris Latham for Corey Thomas 90+1

17 Leigh Shrimpton

 

Goal  Carl Payne 36

Attendance: 158