We failed to take our chances in this game and paid the price, only the most one-eyed Ely Rangers supporters (and there were quite a few) could have thought they were worth the three points.
We went behind after 5 minutes when Ely attacked down the right and crossed the ball in, it wasn't a dangerous cross, Matthew Beynon intercepted it but headed it into his own goal. We responded well with Luke Borrelli crossing to Jonathan Hood from the right but Jonathan headed wide when he should have at least hit the target. We then had a penalty appeal turned down when from a right sided free kick there appeared to be contact but the ref ignored our appeals and waved on play. The infamous seemingly short pitch at Ely was causing us problems as several times in the first half we overhit through balls. James McEvoy had our next chance when he picked up a cleared corner but his shot was straight at the keeper. Ely then had a good spell of possession again attacking down the right and the winger cut inside only to shot wide. On the half hour Carl Payne played the ball wide to Luke Borrelli who shot from 30 yards and hit the crossbar. Ely's best chance of increasing the lead appeared to be on the break after we sent defenders up for corners and free kicks. Luke Borrelli had his second chance of the half on 38 minutes when Carl Payne played him in but his shot hit the keeper's legs and went behind for a corner then right on half time Carl Payne played the ball wide for Jonathan Hood, he squared it for Luke Borrelli and from inside the six yard box he failed to get a touch to turn the ball into the net.

Ely were awarded a free kick two minutes into the second half but Connah Williams held it and threw out to Carl Payne, he made ground and won a corner which the keeper fumbled but recovered in time to clear. We won the ball and played in Carl Payne but from just outside the box he lobbed the keeper but the ball went over the bar. Then out of nothing we were two down, they played the ball forward, the defence failed to cope with it and their attacker netted. Finally on 57 minutes we were on the scoresheet, Jordan Goodwin took a free kick 10 yards inside our half near the touchline and Carl Payne timed his run to control the ball by the penalty spot and score. Three minutes later we were level when Matthew Beynon played the ball into the box and Carl Payne was tripped, he got up and scored from the spot. Incredibly two minutes later we had the same scenario only this time Jonathan Hood was fouled and Carl slotted home another penalty to give us the lead. Unfortunately Ely replied almost from the kick off, the ball was played to the edge of the box and their striker did well to beat several would be defenders to level the scores. 

On 69 minutes Ely had a free kick 25 yards out in a central position but the shot hit the wall and rebounded to the attacker who this time shot at Connah Williams in goal. Jonathan Hood had our next chance when he received the ball with his back to goal, he turned and shot but the defenders did well to block his effort. With 10 minutes to go the ball was played forward to Carl Payne with the Ely defence caught out, he squared it for Jonathan Hood but as he was preparing to shoot a defender just managed to get a touch and clear the ball. Ely attacked and won a corner which they sent into the packed goalmouth and one of them got above everyone to head in from close range. Worse was to follow for us as from an innocuous challenge Andrew Collins was booked, several players became involved, both sides had bookings but Matthew Doyle having already been booked was sent off. He had come on just after half time but he has to learn he's no good for us leaving us with ten men to chase the game. With three minutes to go Luke Borrelli shot wide from just outside the box and in added on time Jonathan Hood found Carl Payne who cut inside and from the edge of the area forced a full length save out of the keeper. We will play worse than this and win but we should have come home with the three points from this game.

Lido side:
Connah Williams Jordan Goodwin Sam Nolan Matthew Beynon Andrew Collins Carl Payne Luke Borrelli James McEvoy Rory Healy Jonathan Hood Conor Harris

Subs
12 Matthew Doyle for Conor Harris 50
14 Grant Fisher for Sam Nolan 72
15 Daniel Symmons

Bookings Matthew Beynon 69 Matthew Doyle 74 Jonathan Hood 75 Andrew Collins 84

Sent off Matthew Doyle 84

Goals Carl Payne 57 60 (pen) 62 (pen)