AFAN LIDO 7-1 taffs wELL - APRIL 2

We continued our goal scoring form with Nathan White netting his second hat trick of the season but the score detracted from the Taffs Well performance who battled to the end and didn't deserve to be on the end of such a scoreline. They couldn't cope with our goal scoring power while they missed several opportunities in a very entertaining end to end game that once again Joe Public missed out on. If 16 goals in two games doesn't bring people through the gates next Saturday against Ton Pentre then will they come? Taffs Well are one of the better footballing sides in our division having beaten Goytre United 4-1 at home and drawn 4-4 at Goytre and after 5 minutes following a corner Scott McCoubrey was in the right place to clear a shot off the line. We responded with Mark Jones playing Robbie Walters in but with only Jon Howe in the Taffs goal to beat his shot was at the right height for him to turn away for a corner. From the corner Robbie shot over the bar but two minutes later (9) we took the lead, Mark Jones received the ball and drew Jon Howe and squared the ball for Nathan White to shoot and score from the edge of the area. Taffs attacked down their right crossed the ball in but from a good position shot wide. A minute later in another attack they headed wide from a good position. Carl Payne, Mark Jones and Robbie Walters combined well, Robbie went into the area but his cross as blocked and we won a throw which went to Corey Thomas 35 yards out, under pressure he played the ball high into the area but it went through to the keeper who caught it and cleared. On 23 minutes we went two up, Mike Lewis punted the ball down the middle and the Taffs defence couldn't handle it under pressure from Robbie Walters, he played it into the box for Mark Jones who was brought down by the keeper for a penalty which Nathan White coolly despatched.

On the half hour Carl Payne was penalised on half way and from the free kick Mike Lewis made a terrific save diving low to his right to turn the ball away. Minutes later we were caught out down our left but with only one defender back their attacker needlessly pushed Corey Thomas to concede a free kick when perhaps more was on for them. In another Taff attack Damon Thomas made an excellent tackle and played the ball wide to Nathan White but it was just too strong and went out for a throw near the corner flag. Mike Lewis again distinguished himself in the 37th minute when Jamal Roberts turned and shot, it hit one of our players and looped up over Mike and just under the crossbar but Mike managed to reach and turn the ball over for a corner. They had several attempts from the corner and it was becoming obvious we needed a third goal and it came after 41 minutes. Corey Thomas played the ball to Robbie Walters on the right, he helped the ball into the path of the overlapping Carl Payne who got into the box but appeared to overrun the ball but he steadied himself and shot across the keeper, the ball going just inside the far post. Two minutes later we played some great football and Nathan White fed Mark Jones in the box, he tried to set himself up but lost the ball and Taff broke quickly but again from a good position they shot wide. We kicked off the second half in attacking mode and Nathan White set up Carl Payne but his shot went wide. Taffs then attacked and won a corner which Scott Hillman headed out but it came back in and Jamal Easter shot wide from a favourable position. Taffs continued to push forward and again Scott Hillman did well to clear a dangerous cross. Mark Jones then knocked the ball wide to Scott McCoubrey who beat a couple of players, cut inside and shot at the keeper.

We went 4-0 up after 53 minutes when another Mike Lewis punt wasn't handled by the Taff back four, Mark Jones played it through for Robbie Walters to knock past the keeper. Within two minutes Taffs had pulled a goal back, we gave the ball away at the back, they switched it to the left and Tyrone Topper scored with a left footed shot giving Mike Lewis no chance. Although 3 goals adrift Taff still went looking for another and Mike Lewis dived to his right to save from Dean Maynard. We conceded a free kick by the corner flag and although we cleared the initial danger the ball was played back in but was again headed wide from a good position. Carl Payne was stretchered off after 66 minutes to be replaced by Gavin Jones and a cross from Gavin was knocked behind for a corner which we knocked behind for a goal kick.

We went 5-1 up after 79 minutes when following good approach work by several players Robbie Walters laid the ball into Nathan White's path and he delivered with a right footed shot. Mike Lewis was again in action after 81 minutes with yet another good save, we cleared the ball to Scott McCoubrey who beat several players and crossed the ball at pace into the box, with Robbie Walters on his back a defender could do nothing other than guide the ball into his own net. Luke Borrelli replaced Nathan White with 6 minutes to go and he scored his first league goal since November 28th 2008 when he scored in a 7-0 win over Newport YMCA. He received the ball from Robbie Walters and flicked it high towards goal, as it dropped it appeared to go through the keepers hands as he back pedalled to make it 7-1. There was still time for Mike Lewis to punch a corner clear and as it came back in he managed to smother the shot to crown a fine display by him.

Lido side:
Mike Lewis, Jonathan Hood, Corey Thomas, Scott Hillman, Damon Thomas, Mark Jones, Carl Payne, Chris Pridham, Robbie Walters, Nathan White, Scott McCoubrey.
Subs:
12 Luke Borrelli for Nathan White 84
14 Shaun Morgan for Damon Thomas 82
16 Gavin Jones for Carl Payne 66
17 Vince Lewis
Bookings:
Jonathan Hood 20, Carl Payne 32 and Nathan White 70.
Goals:
Nathan White 9, 23 (pen) and 79. Carl Payne 41. Robbie Walters 53, OG, 81., and Luke Borrelli 88.
Attendance: 63

Match Report by Peter Reynolds