9:10am Thursday 14th April 2011
AFAN LIDO 2 BARRY TOWN 2
THE DRAGONS went into this game on the back of a very disappointing result the previous Tuesday. Before the game started they would have accepted a point but in the end will think it was 2 points dropped.
Both teams play good football and the game was end to end throughout with both sides creating chances. Michael Parkins created the first chance when a shot from 30 yards just went over the crossbar with the keeper beaten.
It was Afan Lido who scored first in the 21st minute when a corner was not cleared and the ball dropped to the feet of Nathan White who made no mistake from 6 yards out.
Within 2 minutes the Dragons were level when Lido keeper Chris Curtis stopped Atif Bashir with a clear foul and was sent off. Ryan Jenkins fired home the subsequent penalty for his 10th goal of the season.
Lido had to sacrifice an outfield player to bring on their sub keeper but this setback did not seem to stop them making a fight of the game and a fine run down the right by Gavin Jones brought a great save from Dragons keeper Dan Bradley.
Within minutes a great chance was created for Atif Bashir by TJ Nagi but his shot was blocked for a corner which was easily cleared. Another chance fell to Ryan Jenkins but he did well to connect with a cross but his header went over the bar.
Within 4 minutes of the restart the Dragons were in front when Michael Parkins threaded the ball to Scott Jones who nonchalantly passed the ball past the Lido keeper into the net.
Lido should have been level in the 55th minute when another corner was not cleared but the ball fell to Ryan Morgan, a defender and his shot went well wide.
The Dragons started to pressurise the Lido defence but could not create the chance to increase their lead. A weak back pass from a Lido defender was seized upon by Lewis James but his shot was well saved by the young Lido keeper.
Both teams were playing well and although the Dragons were creating chances it was Lido who should have scored with about 5 minutes left but Lewis James headed the ball off the line. They also had a further chance when they were awarded a free kick 20 yards out but Andrew Mumford’s weak shot was easily saved by Dan Bradley.
When it looked as if the Dragons were take the points some poor defending allowed the ball to fall to former Barry player Sam Small who was unmarked in the box and made no mistake with his fierce shot, giving Dan Bradley no chance.
To be honest a draw was most probably a fair result but the Dragons will be disappointed in allowing such a late equaliser although Afan Lido are not in the top two and chasing the championship for nothing.
Dragons: Dan Bradley; Geraint Frowen, Dan Clare, Damon Searle, Lewis James; Rob Blatchford, Scott Jones (sub. James Saddler), Michael Parkins, Mike Hartley; Anthony Nagi, Ryan Jenkins (sub. Josh Bell). Subs not used; Lewis Cosslett, Sam Hartrey, Rob Blatchford.
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