Despite Rory McCreesh saving two penalties we still lost 3-2 at Cwmamman United. The first penalty given after 10 minutes seemed harsh as Cai Owens was only a couple of yards away from the  ball when a striker shot at goal. McCreesh guessed correctly and turned the ball away for a corner. We then played Noh Daley in but he was forced wide and found the supporting Jack Underwood but his goalbound  shot was cleared. A Lido throw caused problems in the Cwmamman defence and the ball was kicked against Sacha Walters and rebounded inches the wrong side (for us) of the post. We took the lead on 23 minutes when Chris Curtis failed to hold a free kick and Cai Owens netted. Disappointingly we failed to hang on to the lead for any length of time, Rory McCreesh made two diving saves to initially deny an equaliser but he was powerless to stop Ashley Curtis’ shot from the edge of the area which hit the underside of the bar before nestling in the net. As the half progressed McCreesh again made some quality saves while James Parry played a great cross into the Cwmamman area but no Lido player attacked the ball and the chance was lost.

We went behind two minutes into the second half, after Cwmamman attacked down their left, and played the ball in to Ashley Curtis who scored with a right footed shot.  Worse was to come when 6 minutes into the half it was 3-1. We should have pulled a goal back on the hour when Sacha Walters was played in on goal but his shot hit Chris Curtis and went out for a corner. Good defending on our part prevented a fourth goal, several players put their bodies on the line to block goalbound shots. Eventually the ball ran out for a corner, from that Cwmamman were awarded their second penalty but again McCreesh guessed correctly to push the ball away. We had a lifeline with 6 minutes to go, Curtis failed to hold a Chris Hartland shot and Noah Daley was on the spot to turn it in. In added on time he had a chance to level the scores but Curtis spread himself to prevent Noah’s shot going in.

Rory McCreesh  2 Kieran Parsons  3 James Parry  4 Cai Owens  5 Alex Gammond

6 Kieran Howells  7 Liam McCreesh  8 Jack Underwood  9 Noah Daley 10 Chris Hartland

11 Sacha Walters

Subs  12 Jamie Karnsang for Sacha Walters 77  – 14 Josh Webber for Jack Underwood 77

15 Taylor Evans – 16 Paul Evans