taffs well 1-4 AFAN LIDO

 

We produced one of our best performances of the season and record our second away win of the campaign. Nathan White with two goals, his first in the league since Cardiff Corries on October 7th, Damon Thomas with his second of the season and a penalty from Mark Jones saw us record our best away win since we beat Cwmbran 7-2 in the final game of last season.
It was a bitterly cold night but both sides contributed some good football to keep the crowd interested. Taffs Well enjoy playing the ball out from the back and several times we almost blocked the keeper's pass to his defender, it seemed only a matter of time before we succeeded. Neither side was able to gain the early ascendancy, Matt Harris did well after 10 minutes to block a Tyrone Topper shot. Taffs Well were then awarded a free kick to the left of the area, they played a great ball across the box but no attacker was able to get a touch and the ball went out for a goal kick. Another attack on 14 minutes saw Shaun Galsworthy lose the ball on our left, again they played a great ball across the face of the goal and we were indebted to Matt Harris who again cleared the danger. We responded with Nathan White playing the ball through and winning a throw, it was headed out to Corey Thomas 30 yards out, his shot went just wide of the post. Taffs seemed to concentrate on attacking down their right and once again from a right sided cross they shot just wide from 10 yards. Yet another Taffs attack down the right saw Jamal Roberts beat both Gavin Jones and Shaun Galsworthy and from his cross a Taffs player went down in the box only for the ref to wave play on. On 28 minutes Chris Pridham headed the ball over a defender into Nathan White's path, Nathan wide in the area let fly but it was just over the crossbar. A minute later we took the lead, several players were involved in a move down our left, the ball was played back to Corey Thomas just outside the area and we all expected him to shoot but Corey went into the area beat a defender and passed the ball to Nathan White who from a couple of yards sidefooted the ball home. Jonathan Hood left a through ball thinking it was going to run out for a goal kick but a Taffs player got to it, again they went down in the box and once again the ref waved play on. We could have gone two up after 38 minutes, Nathan White won a corner on the right, Scott Hillman beyond the far post headed goalwards and Nathan from inside the 6 yard box headed the ball against the crossbar.
Gavin Jones was having a good game in a left wing back role and he intercepted an intended Taffs pass and he made 40 yards before feeding Nathan White. Chris Pridham and Nathan played Mark Jones into space in the area but Mark was penalised. From the free kick again Taffs attacked and Gavin Jones and Shaun Galsworthy did well to clear with the Taffs attack pressurising them. On 52 minutes Taffs won a corner off Jonathan Hood, it cleared everyone and went beyond the far post where a Taffs player shot and thought he'd scored but the lineman who was right on the spot waved play on. The ball went for a second corner which following a scramble Mike Lewis saved a shot but this time the linesman indicated a goal. From the kick off Gavin Jones played a great ball into the box for Mark Jones but the Taffs Well pitch beat him with the ball bouncing away. However the Taffs Well pitch then came to our aid, Damon Thomas picked up a loose ball thirty yards out and shot left footed. The ball bounced just in front of Jon Howe in goal and he must be grateful there were no cameras there as it would have made the Christmas DVD compilations. As Jon went to catch the ball it bounced awkwardly went over his shoulder into the net. On 59 minutes it was all but game over, Nathan White fed Mark Jones in the box and he was blatantly tripped with their 2 Barry Richards being shown a red card. Mark slotted home the resultant penalty. Surprisingly Taffs now put us under more pressure than at any time, they played three at the back and left the rest of their formation untouched and they went for it. We conceded several free kicks with Matt Harris heading one clear before the ball came back again but this time Jonathan Hood shielded the ball out for a goal kick. Chris Pridham broke up a Taffs attack and played the ball forward for Mark Jones but it had just too much pace on it and the keeper won the race for the ball. We were awarded a free kick in a central position, the sort of area we've scored in lately, Nathan White took this one but his shot cleared the crossbar. On 77 minutes Nathan made it 4-1 Gavin Jones and fed Mark who played the ball forward to Nathan, although he had a couple of defenders in tow he brought the ball under control and sent a right footed shot wide of the keeper from just outside the area. Scott McCoubrey had a l0 minute burst as a sub and he tried his luck with several audacious shots, none were too far away from the target. Right on time Taffs attacked again but once again shot wide at the far post.

Lido side:
Mike Lewis Jonathan Hood Corey Thomas Scott Hillman Shaun Galsworthy Damon Thomas Gavin Jones Chris Pridham Mark Jones Nathan White Matt Harris

Subs:
12 Robert Cockings for Chris Pridham 76
14 Scott McCoubrey for Matt Harris 78
15 James McEvoy for Shaun Galsworthy 86
16 Vince Lewis

Bookings Nathan White 53 Shaun Galsworthy 55 and Gavin Jones 90

Goals Nathan White 29 and 77 Damon Thomas 55 and Mark Jones (pen) 59

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Match Report by Peter Reynolds