We’ve had the sad news that life member and former committee member Keith Parry passed away yesterday. Our thoughts are with Jan, Stephen, Julie and their families
5 star performance
This was our best performance of the season and our biggest win. From the second minute free kick by Chris Jones to the final whistle we gave an assured performance and were clearly the better side. We took the lead in the second minute, Chris Jones with a 25 yard free kick lacked power but it completely deceived the Celtic keeper, hit the post and went in. Ben Keen should have made it 2-0 on 4 minutes when following a corner his left footed shot hit the crossbar. Celtic had a half chance on 14 minutes when they picked up a loose ball and crossed the ball to the far post but their attacker was unable to make contact. We went two up on 16 minutes, Liam Griffiths played the ball forward for Sean Hanbury on the left side of the area, he swivelled and shot over the keeper and into the net. Chris Jones made it 3-0 on 25 minutes from another free kick from a similar position to his first. This time he drove the ball hard and low past the wall and just inside the post. On 35 minutes Ioan Evans who was enjoying plenty of the ball and had the beating of his defender crossed the ball for Liam Griffiths but his header hit the crossbar and went out for a goal kick. Celtic’s only chance of getting back into the game was to score an early goal in the second half. They had an opportunity on 51 minutes when they shot from the penalty spot area only for Aaron Jones to make a fine save. We sealed the result on 57 minutes following a foul on Liam Griffiths. Chris Jones pinpoint free kick was nodded in by Liam from a couple of yards. He almost scored again on 67 minutes only for the keeper to make a fine diving save. Carlos Indjai netted his first goal since returning following a corner on 74 minutes. A corner was played short and then back to Chris Jones and one again his cross made it easy for Carlos to score. We used all five subs but we still had virtually total control for a vital three points.
Girls win again
The Ladies team beat Coed Duon 3-1 at the Marstons Stadium this afternoon. They went behind on 7 minutes and just before the interval Bryanna Demery missed a penalty. Georgia Thorne scored straight after half time, Megan Jones scored on 74 minutes to put them ahead and Zoe Parfitt secured the three points with a goal on 84 minutes
Lido and Cambrian end all square
On a bitterly cold night the game ended at one a piece with two superb strikes for the goals. Lido had the first opportunity on 6 minutes when Sean Hanbury took a free kick from distance and forced keeper Cameron Clarke into a great save parrying the ball clear. It wasn’t long before Lido took the lead and what a goal it was from Chris Jones who picked up the ball from distance and fired a bullet into the bottom corner. On 25 minutes following a long throw in from the right Carlos Indjai hit the crossbar with an overhead kick. Lido continued to search for a second goal and on 33 minutes a Sean Hanbury cross found the head of Liam Griffiths but he couldn’t get the contact right and Clarke in goal collected. Approaching half time Cambrian pushed forward in search of the equaliser and Liam Reed cut inside and took a shot from distance but Aaron Jones clawed it comfortably away from danger
An early second half chance for Cambrian as Prosser met a deep free kick but again Aaron Jones got his body behind the ball to smother it. Cambrian eventually found an equaliser on 69 minutes as the Lido defence sat back and watched as Cameron Keetch picked up the ball on the edge of the box and fired home. Approaching the last ten minutes neither side was creating any opportunities of note. With 5 minutes to go Lido had a chance to win it following a defensive error. Ioan Evans was released clear on goal but his shot was well saved by Cameron Clarke. Liam Griffiths picked up the rebound and lined up a shot but was challenged in the process and went down. Referee Nemes waved away Lido appeals for a penalty and the game petered out with the sides sharing the spoils.
Reserves win to go top
The Reserves beat league leaders Carmarthen Town 3-1 last night to go to the top of the table. They went behind on 9 minutes when they failed to clear a free kick. For the rest of the first half they enjoyed a lot of possession but couldn’t find an equaliser. Cameron Harris with a clever header equalised on 56 minutes from a right wing cross by Sam Baker. They continued to push forward but were unable to find another breakthrough until Michael McCalmon fired home on 69 minutes for his ninth goal of the season. Taylor Evans made the game safe on 86 minutes with a shot which went in off the post. No game now until February 12th when they visit Llanelli Town.
Big win for the girls
The women’s team defeated Cardiff Bluebells 13-0 in a league cup tie this afternoon. Zoe Parfitt with 5 goals led the way followed by Bryanna Demery with 4. Georgia Thorne with 2, Catherine Jones and Lowri Wareham completed the scoring.
Hat trick for Toby in the derby
The Reserves included several new signings for their derby match at Port Talbot. Lido took the lead on 4 minutes when Toby Link-Jones got on the end of a free kick to head in and he doubled the lead on 23 minutes when another free kick was headed across the face of the goal for Toby to head in from close range. Michael McCalmon extended the lead on 31 minutes following a right wing attack. The ball was squared into the area and Michael had the easy task of slotting the ball in. Luke McDonald made it 4-0 on 35 minutes when he picked up a long clearance from Gareth Couch wide left, he cut in and fired into an empty net. In added time another right wing attack saw Michael McCalmon draw the keeper and square the ball for Cameron Harris to sidefoot into the empty net.
Port Talbot were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute but once again Gareth Couch guessed correctly and saved it. Lido went down the other end and Luke McDonald created space in the area but from 15 yards blazed the ball over the bar. The sixth goal wasn’t long in coming and it was a hat trick goal for Toby Link-Jones. A couple of Lido corners were cleared before the ball was played wide right. The ball was crossed beyond the far post for Elis Newport to head back to Toby Link-Jones to score. Port Talbot then created a series of attacks but Gareth Couch made several excellent saves before being beaten on 67 minutes. Highlight of the closing minutes was the return of Ethan Frankland for his first outing for quite some time, it was nice to see him back on the pitch.