Welsh Cup 2nd Round

Saturday, 3rd October 2009

at The Marstons Stadium, Port Talbot

Afan Lido 5-1 Croesyceiliog

Goalscorers

Afan Lido

Scott McCoubrey

Rhys Williams

Carl Payne

Nathan White

Mark Jones

Croesyceiliog

Richard Perry

Home Page

Afan Lido cruised into the next round of the Welsh Cup with a comfortable win over their Division Two opponents. Scott McCoubrey offered Lido the perfect start as he lobbed the goalkeeper from long range inside the opening two minutes as Lido capitalised on their decision to play with the wind in the opening half. Lido did not add to their lead until the second half however and did not have everything their own way in the opening half of the game as Croesyceiliog did not let the early goal change their plans. Lido goalkeeper Mike Lewis was called into action to deny the visitors while at the other end Lido had chances to increase their lead from a series of corners but were unable to extend their advantage. The second goal of the game arrived early in the second half as defender Rhys Williams volleyed home from close range. Nathan White added a third goal midway through the second half as Lido began to take charge of the game and the goal of the game made it 4-0 on 80 minutes when a ball from Jonathan Hood was struck superbly by Carl Payne on the edge of the area to make the game safe. Croesyceiliog capitalised on a defensive error shortly after to reduce the deficit with a goal from Richard Perry but the scoring was completed on 86 minutes when returning Lido striker Mark Jones grabbed the fifth goal for his side to complete a thoroughly deserved win.

3rd October 2009 - www.afanlidofc.com

Match Report

With a one goal interval lead and preparing to play into a stiff wind this scoreline wasn't expected. We took the lead in 90 seconds when Scott McCoubrey picked up a loose ball and from 25 yards fired a shot over the keeper's head.  A couple of minutes later he fired a free kick over the crossbar as we continued to take advantage of the wind. On 12 minutes Daniel Lancey made ground down the left and his cross caused the keeper some difficulty before he was able to gather at the second attempt. We dictated the first twenty five minutes with Mark Jones having a shot turned over by the keeper. Then a mistake saw Mike Lewis dive to his left to keep us ahead. Spurred on by this Croesyceiliog came into the game and Rhys Williams did well to tackle a Croesy player just outside our six yard box. We responded but Nathan White lost the ball in a good position and then a Scott McCoubrey corner went across the face of the goal with no-one getting a touch. A Jonathan Hood error in the box almost led to an equaliser but Carl Evans covered the danger and cleared. 5 minutes before the break Nathan White turned and shot but again the keeper made a save then right on half time Daniel Lancey gave the ball away, they crossed it into the box and Mike Lewis tipped a close range header over for a corner. We cleared the corner but then conceded a free kick, their 5 Huw Williams got in a close range header only for Mike Lewis to turn the ball around the post for a corner which they played out for a goal kick and half time. From the kick off Nathan White found Mark Jones but his shot was blocked and cleared downfield, the ball went through to Mike Lewis, he threw the ball out to restart an attack, the ball was played forward to Mark Jones who tried to lob the keeper but didn't get enough on it and the keeper saved. Jonathan Hood was pulled up for a foul just inside our half but Carl Payne cut out the free kick and cleared. We then attacked and Nathan White was fouled on the touchline 8 yards out, Scott McCoubrey's free kick was turned behind for a corner. Rhys Williams volleyed in Scott's corner from the 6 yard line to give us a two goal advantage with his first goal for the club. We now gained in confidence and put more pressure on the Croesy defence, their keeper made a couple of saves to keep them in contention then from another Croesy free kick Mike Lewis tipped over to concede a corner.  We went three up on 69 minutes when from a Jonathan Hood throw, Mark Jones made ground, played Nathan White into the box, his shot was saved but he picked up the rebound to score with a shot to the keeper' right. It was 4-0 on 79 minutes when Jonathan Hood played the ball down the line to Mark Jones who hit a first time cross from the bye line and found Carl Payne just outside the area. Carl hit a first time shot just inside the post giving the keeper no chance. Croesy gained a consolation goal with 7 minutes to go when from a throw Richard Perry turned and shot across Mike Lewis just inside the far post. Mark Jones capped a fine display with the fifth goal 4 minutes from time, he received the ball on the edge of the area and fired a low shot past the keeper.