We visited Cymru Premier side. Cardiff Met for our first pre-season friendly. We lost 3-0 but there were some excellent performances by several players. The goals conceded were disappointing, the first after 6 minutes was a penalty given against Aaron Jones who appeared to dive on tbe ball. A Met player then appeared to go into him and the ref awarded a penalty. Play was fairly even until added on time at the end of the first half. A loose pass across the box was picked up by a Met player who scored. There were numerous changes by both sides in the second half. Met’s third goal was scored from a corner, Steve Cann collected the ball but the linesman indicated it had crossed the line, neither side could quite believe it. Our best chances fell to Chris Jones and a trialist, both attempts were well saved by the keeper. An encouraging display as we move on to a friendly with Ynysygerwn on Wednesday.

The girls ended their home campaign with an excellent 3-2 win over Caerphilly Castle. Catherine Jones opened the scoring on 15 minutes. Macca McLoughlin equalised for the visitors on 25 minutes but Georgia Thorne restored the lead on 32 minutes.  She added a second and Lido’s third on 74 minutes with Claire Bartlett scoring with two minutes to go to set up a nervy ending but they held on to secure an excellent win against one of the better sides in the league.

Risca United needed a win and hope the results elsewhere were favourable if they were to avoid the drop. There were four clubs who could potentially be relegated, Trefelin, Ammanford, Cwmbran Celtic or Risca United. Risca had the dream start taking the lead on six minutes when Morgan Stead found himself through on goal after a defensive error to give the visitors the lead. Two minutes later they should have scored again as Leon Thomas shot from the edge of the area but the ball went narrowly wide. It was all Risca at this stage as the Lido struggled to cope with the speedy Risca attack. Matthew Thomas tried a speculative shot which forced Aaron Jones into making a great save parrying the ball behind for a corner. After 10 minutes Lido had their first chance when Liam Griffiths turned his man and shot at goal but it was collected well by the Risca keeper. On 12 minutes Risca created another opportunity as Matthew Thomas stole in front of the defence and tried to chip Aaron Jones but the Lido keeper spotted the danger and tipped the ball over the bar. After 17 minutes another chance for Risca as Matthew Thomas again picked his way through the Lido defence to take a shot unchallenged but he couldn’t direct it on target and it crept wide. It took the Lido almost half an hour to come to terms with Risca but again on 33 minutes Leon Thomas took a speculative shot from distance which forced Aaron Jones into making yet another great save.

Half time arrived with everyone amazed the Risca only led by the one goal but at the time it was enough to keep them up. On the hour Morgan Stead with a volley from outside the box narrowly fizzed over the bar. After all the chances Risca had created they were undone on 68 minutes by a set piece, Chris Jones played in a free kick and it was headed in by Sean Hanbury who planted it into the top corner giving the keeper no chance. Mike McCalmon almost gave the Lido the lead on 75 minutes as he turned the defender and tried to slot the ball into the net from a tight angle but it was turned behind by the Risca keeper. From the corner the Lido took the lead, Cai Owens rose above the defence to head the ball into the top corner. This deflated Risca who now needed two goals to be safe. Understandably their intensity dropped  but they still put late pressure on the Lido but some resolute defending and brave goalkeeping from Aaron Jones maintained the score.

The girls drew 2-2 yesterday with Cwmbran Celtic who lead the table. Lido took the lead on 7 minutes through Carly Mason-Thomas and Georgia Thorne made it 2-0 after 13. Celtic missed a second half penalty but scored twice in added on time to secure a vital point.