We were without the suspended Alex Gammond, Lewis Holmes, Liam McCreesh and Noah Daley while Sacha Walters, Morgan Freeman and Patrick Finneral were all out injured. In came Kieran Parsons for his first game since he picked up an injury against Cwmbran Celtic on October 12th, Kaid Mohamed and Jack Hurley who missed last week’s game while there was a full debut for Adam Llewellyn (Welly).

We took the lead on 11 minutes from an unlikely source, Ben Symons and the ball on the right touchline and his cross to the far post drifted over everyone and settled in the back of the net. Goytre immediately respond and a strangely subdued Steve Cann failed to deal with an attack and Steve Morris with a goalline clearance protected the lead. Kyle Mohamed and Brad Flay combined well and Kaid set up a chance for Adam Llewellyn but he could only find the side netting with his shot. Kaid Mohamed looked dangerous each time he had the ball and he again found space in the area but couldn’t keep his shot down and it went over the bar. A Lido corner on 40 minutes almost saw us increase our lead but it took two good blocks by the Goytre defence to prevent us scoring. However, two minutes before the interval they could do nothing to prevent a second goal. Again, good work on the right saw Brad Flay drive into the box he set up the chance for Jack Hurley and he made no mistake with a powerful drive.

Goytre United came out looking to get back into the game and they won a series of early corners. Eventually from one of these they scored despite several Lido attempts to clear. Goytre’s joy only lasted a couple of minutes as Lido attacked down the left and Kaid Mohamed played the ball back to Jack Hurley who from the edge of the area chipped the ball in to the far post again giving the keeper no chance. Kaid Mohamed picked up a loose ball and drove towards goal but once more he shot over the bar. We looked for a fourth goal and the Goytre keeper saved from Kaid Mohamed and Brad Flay while Kieran Parsons did enough to put Keane Watts off with a header from close range. With 20 minutes to go Connor Thomas replaced Adam Llewellyn for his first taste of Welsh League football. With 10 minutes to go Goytre pulled a goal back, for once Kieran Parsons failed to cut out a through ball and Watts raced through to slot it past Steve Cann and set up a nervy last 10 minutes. Straight from the restart Goytre won a corner but it went out for a goal kick. Kaid Mohamed then was narrowly wide with a 30 yard free kick as Lido responded well. Another Lido free kick from a similar position saw Jack Hurley’s shot comfortably saved by the keeper. In the final minute of normal time Goytre were awarded a free kick 40 yards out in a central position but Lido defended it well and cleared. In added time Matthew Andrews replaced Kieran Parsons who had an excellent game on his return. Our midfield of Jack Hurley, Brad Flay and Jamie Karnsang impressed all night with their movement with and without the ball giving Goytre no respite. Considering our lack of experience tonight this was an outstanding performance with several players giving the management a selection problem with their performances.