After days of fine calm weather the heavens opened and a strong wind blew down
the field. Once we got the ball down and played football we were the
better side but it took some time for the game to settle down.
We played with the wind at our backs and in the early minutes both Corey Thomas
and Scott McCoubrey had shots on target but lacked power to beat Mark Field in
the Penrhiwceiber goal. Penrhiwceiber won a free kick on half way which we
cleared by a combination of Leigh Shrimpton and Mika Chunuonsee they came back
but Carl Evans cut out the through ball and found Scott
McCoubrey but Penrhiwceiber were defending in numbers and he was crowded out.
Scott had another chance after 12 minutes when Mika Chunuonsee won the ball in
midfield and played the ball forward to Scott but he pulled his shot wide.
We won a free kick on the half way line which they cleared and a long ball
forward saw Rory McCreesh out to gather the ball ahead of an attacker.
We weren't making use of the wind quite often the final ball was letting us
down. Just after the half hour Carl Evans, Justin Williams and Daniel
Lancey combined down the left but Daniel's cross was too long and drifted away
for a goal kick. Dean Brown for Penrhiwceiber beat a couple of defenders
just outside the area but when it looked dangerous he lacked composure and lost
the ball allowing us to clear. 10 minutes before the break Carl Evans
hoisted a long ball into the box which the keeper caught and then dropped but he
was able to gather safely before we could take advantage. They attacked
down the left side and crossed low into the area but Rhys Williams headed clear
before any attacker could get into the box. Right on the interval we had the
only chance of the half when Carl Payne shot from 25 yards, it was too strong
for the keeper who managed to block it, the ball rebounded at pace to Chris
Langdon and from a couple of yards his instinctive effort went over the bar.
Chris was injured in the first half and was replaced at the interval by Shaun
Best. He was straight into the action when following a foul on Mika
Chunuonsee he received the ball but shot just wide. From the goal kick
Penrhiwceiber won a free kick but Jason Hatch headed the ball over the crossbar.
Penrhiwceiber continued to keep everyone back behind the ball despite having the
elements in their favour this was highlighted when a Lido attack broke down near
the edge of their area they cleared the ball to Carl Evans with no one around to
put him under pressure. After 63 minutes we were awarded a free kick 25
yards out, Mika Chunuonsee took it and Mark Field in goal did extremely well to
turn it behind for a corner. The ball was inside the junction of post and
crossbar but he dived across to turn it behind. We now put together a
number of attacks which put Penrhiwceiber under pressure and only a couple of
last ditch efforts kept us out.
With 8 minutes to go they were awarded a
free kick 20 yards out to the right of the goal but Sam George shot wide.
From the goal kick Scott McCoubrey won the ball and played it wide into Shaun
Best's path, Shaun made ground and shot from just inside the area the ball hit
the crossbar and went behind for a goal kick. In the last minute of normal
time we had our final chance when again Shaun Best was played in, this time Mark
Field managed to turn his shot over the bar for a corner. We finished the
game with a free kick which Leigh Shrimpton played into the area but under
pressure they managed to clear.
Into extra time we had Corey Thomas, Remi Whitelock and Carl Payne carrying
knocks while Justin Williams also received a knock during the extra time period.
From the kick off they attacked and appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty for
hand ball. Carl Payne received the ball from Justin Williams and crossed
into the area, Shaun Best met the cross but his shot was just wide. We
were awarded a free kick almost on the goalline just outside the area, Scott
McCoubrey lifted it to the far post, Carl Payne headed back towards the far post
but it drifted wide for a goal kick. Scott then won the ball in midfield
played it to Mika Chunuonsee but his 25 yard shot went over the bar. With
8 minutes to go Penrhiwceiber took the lead, they were awarded a free kick 20
yards out in a central position, Sam George shot through the wall and into goal.
The lead didn't last long as we responded positively and put them under extreme
pressure and a defender was adjudged to have handled in the area. Scott
McCoubrey kept his cool to level the scores.
Right at the end somehow Penrhiwceiber with only their second real opportunity
and again from a dead ball situation missed a sitter, heading a free kick wide
from two yards.
And so to penalties which for much of the game I think they wanted.
They went first and substitute Chris Keepings scored Carl Payne levelled
Secondly Jason Lewis scored and Scott McCoubrey responded
Thirdly Richard Veale scored Leigh Shrimpton levelled
Dean Brown scored the fourth Remi Whitelock levelled
Rory McCreesh saved the fifth from goalscorer Sam George only for Daniel Field
to make a fine save off Corey Thomas
And so sudden death Steve Temple scored for them and Mika Chunuonsee
responded
Rory McCreesh then saved from Guy Hillman and despite Mark Field getting a touch
to Shaun Best's penalty it had too much power and went in to give us the league
cup for the second time in three seasons.
Finally although we had four bookings a well done to Lee James who handled the
game well. He didn't just flash his cards but took his time and considered
the foul before issuing them.
Lido side:
Rory McCreesh Rhys Williams Leigh Shrimpton
Carl Evans Justin Williams Corey Thomas Carl Payne Mika
Chunuonsee Craig Langdon Scott McCoubrey Daniel Lancey
Subs:
12 Remi Whitelock for Daniel Lancey 53
14 James McEvoy
15 Shaun Best for Craig Langdon 46
16 Andrew Collins
GK Gareth Couch
Bookings Carl Evans 40 Justin Williams 51 Leigh Shrimpton 87 and
Mika Chunuonsee 113
Att: 300
Match Report by Peter Reynolds
|
